The Federal Sport Fish Restoration Fund reimburses the DEC up to 75 percent of the costs for various projects, including restoring native brook trout in six to 10 ponds by adding lime and eliminating nuisance fish; managing a data base of more than 69,000 surveys of 4,000 lakes and ponds conducted since 1926; and conducting statewide creel surveys to determine angler catches, sizes of fish caught and angler-use patterns.

A new program spearheaded by Trout Unlimited is the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, a 17-state effort to restore healthy, fishable brook trout populations throughout their native range.

A couple of years ago, it was discovered that only 5 percent of the country’s historical brook trout habitat remains intact. New York’s Heritage Brook Trout program will be a leader in this effort by preserving several genetically pure strains of Adirondack brookies.

Lengthening open seasons and permitting year-round, catch-and-release trout fishing are standard procedure on waters where ecological conditions and fishing pressure permit.

The DEC is taking aggressive steps to limit the spread of VHS, a virus harmless to humans but deadly to fish. Transport ships coming from Europe are spreading the virus throughout the Great Lakes region.

Scientists monitor the disease on nearly a daily basis, and hatcheries are being protected from contamination. The most recent reports indicate that VHS is continuing to spread.

As a result, new restrictions are in place regarding the use and transportation of baitfish and live fish. A statewide Invasive Species Council has been formed to coordinate efforts to protect native species by controlling dangerous imported pests and stopping future invasions.

Here’s a region-by-region update on what state biologists are doing to improve and enhance fishing opportunities for the 2008 season:

WESTERN REGION
In recent years, Stream surveys have been the focus of fisheries management operations in the western region, often on smaller headwater streams that hold surprisingly stable populations of brown and rainbow trout. These studies have been the basis for setting extended seasons on several streams in the region.

Anglers waiting for the trout season to open on April 1 can expect that hatchery trucks will have visited all of their most popular streams. These include Cattaraugus Creek, Ischua Creek, the Genesee River, East Koy Creek, and Goose Creek. If streams are high and muddy on opening day, a good alternative would be one of the Allegany State Park lakes, which are also heavily stocked. Quaker Lake and Red House Lake are recommended.

The Buffalo-Niagara metro area offers trout fishing for city dwellers at well-stocked locations including East Branch Cazenovia Creek, Eighteenmile Creek, Ellicott Creek and Hyde Park Lake.

Wild trout in more secluded locations will be found on Clear Creek, Wiscoy Creek, and Lime Lake Outlet.

Late March through early April is considered the prime time for Lake Erie’s steelhead run. Recent surveys have revealed high angler success on Canadaway, Chautauqua, Cazenovia, Cattaraugus and Eighteenmile creeks and the Buffalo River