New York has had a Non-Indigenous Aquatic Species Comprehensive Management Plan since 1993, but it deals with species such as zebra mussels or milfoil that are not native to the state. In several Adirondacks waters a more pressing problem has been the spread of yellow perch, a species that is native to the state but was absent from many of the finest trout lakes.

Perch have been shown to be detrimental to native trout populations. One of the most important ways anglers can cooperate with this issue is to pay strict attention to regulations prohibiting the use of live minnows at specified waters. The use or possession for use of alewives and blueback herring as baitfish is prohibited in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Warren and Washington counties. In addition, the use or possession of any baitfish is prohibited in many Adirondacks waters.

Native trout fisheries in the Adirondacks are aided by the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Funds, a federal program that collects taxes from fishing gear sales and then distributes funding to every state. Some of this money is used to survey and monitor biological and chemical aspects of Adirondack waters, and some to restore, enhance and manage Adirondack brook trout.

In Region 6, there has been a change in the trout fishing regulations. The one-fish daily limit for rainbow trout and steelhead in Jefferson County has been expanded to include all waters that are tributaries to Lake Ontario. In Region 5, catch-and-release regulations have been established on sections of the Saranac River, West Branch Ausable River, West Branch Saint Regis River and the Batten Kill.

Trout waters in these northern regions will be cold early in the season, so fishing will be difficult. One nice place to start is the upper reaches of the Black River in the Black River Wild Forest. Access to the river is reasonably convenient. There are campsites along and near the river that are marked by round discs.

This area is toward the southern end of the Adirondacks. Exit from Interstate Route 90 at Exit 31 in Utica, go north on state Route 12, fork right onto state Route 28 and then turn right at Forestport.

Several pleasant campsites are situated along North Lake. Maps are available at local businesses. If you cannot find what you need, continue north along Route 12 toward Old Forge.

SOUTHEASTERN REGION
The Beaver Kill Willowemoc Creek Project was started in 2000 and is now awaiting a final report. All 165 tributaries have been studied. Water temperatures and chemistries throughout the system have been monitored, plus there was a three-year creel census and radio tags were implanted to stocked trout.

"A few of the tags ended up in the stomachs of mergansers," said fisheries biologist Dan Zielinski. "So we know mergansers are taking a fair number of trout. And I think mergansers are probably more abundant on the stocked streams because the stocked fish are easier pickings."