Important Note Regarding the Protection of Wild Trout Populations in Oatka Creek

At our November 16th chapter meeting, we shared that the DEC is considering removing the 'Wild-Quality' designation on Oatka Creek from Union Street downstream to Bowerman Road. We are advocating to keep this section wild and have several concerns, including:

• This section is directly adjacent to Oatka Creek Park, where our community invested time, money and effort to improve the habitat and maintain a wild fishery. Science shows that stocked fish can move upstream, compete and interbreed with wild fish, threatening the health of the fishery.

• The new inland trout management plan was implemented in 2021 and was done so expecting it required several years of commitment to shift focus from stocking to habitat improvement. Changing the designation so early in the plan threatens to undermine the approach in our region and beyond.

• Reversing a wild-quality designation at Oatka Creek sets a precedent to reverse other wild streams, including Spring Creek.

Many people who attended asked who they can contact to express their support for wild trout. You can contact the following region 8 DEC representatives with your thoughts:

Webster Pearsall, Region 8 Fisheries Manager
web.pearsall@dec.ny.gov

Michael A. DiSarno, Aquatic Biologist, Division of Fish and Wildlife
michael.disarno@dec.ny.gov