28 CoxsERVATiox Department 



The More Successful Trout Streams and Ponds. — Niagara 

 river, tliouo-h not at present a trout stream, is mentioned here 

 because it has pos-sibilities. From Lake Erie to the Falls it is not 

 suitable for trout. As it plunges over the escarpment and down 

 through the rapids and gorge, it takes up oxygen to a point of 

 supersaturation (10.3 p. p. m. at a temperature of 71.4° F.) and 

 shows temperatures on hottest days somewhat below the critical 

 point for rainbow and steelhead trout. There is a strong proba- 

 bility that a run of one or the other species could be established 

 between the rapids and Lake Ontario. The lake would serve as a 

 summer and winter habitat for the adults which would be expected 

 to run up the river to some point above Lewiston and furnish the 

 finest kind of fishing during April and a part of May. At the 

 present time commercial fishing, though prohibited on the New 

 York side, is permitted on the Canadian side. As long as this 

 unfortunate condition of affairs exists, it would hardly seem wise 

 to stock with trout. 



Tonawancla Creek System: The main stream quite generally 

 shows conditions unsuitable for any species of trout. A stretch 

 of about 6 miles in the extreme headwaters above and below 

 Southburg contained some brown trout. At a place three-fourths 

 of a mile below this village certain pools showed temperatures low 

 enough for brook trout. For example, in one the water tempera- 

 ture was 65° F., at 2 p.m., when the air was 83° F. Nevertheless 

 above and beloAV this section temperatures ranged considerably 

 higher, and it is believed that a much longer stretch would be 

 available for trout fishing, if plantings of brown trout Avere 

 continued. 



Ellicott creek (tributary 1 of Tonawanda) except for a short 

 section below Williamsville shoAved temperatures too high for any 

 trout. Ilankinson^ reported brown trout here. Various fishermen 

 likewise have caught them. Hence a small ])lanting has been recom- 

 mended. Tril)utaries 8, 9 and 10 are rather small but 8 is large 

 enough for some fishing. All flow into Ellicott creek in that section 

 below Williamsville containing brown trout, and stocking Avith 

 this species is suggested chiefly for the purpose of feeding the 

 main stream. Tlie pond at tlie head of tributary 8 is spring fed 

 and very cold. Doctor Wagner's analysis- hoAvever shoAVS a 

 deficiency of oxygen Avliich would make it unfit for trout. Just 

 beloAv this ])ond the stream ]ucks up oxygen very quickly and is 

 apparently suitable. 



Uanson creek ((> of Tonawanda) with its tributary, Got 

 creek. Ledge creek and the upper 4 miles of Little TonaAvanda 

 together Avith its tributaiy 8, all contain sections suitable for 

 broAvn ti-oul. 



Ledge creek presents ratliei- unusual conditions. In the past 

 it has been heavily stocked Avith brook trout but so far as could 



* Loc. cit. 



^See page 127. 



