West Canada Creek Closed!

[Adkleaddog]

West Canada Creek has been closed for fishing due to low water levels.

Once there's more specifics, I'll post, and if anyone has a link, please share!

Besides, it's hunting season anyways!

[ken999]

http://adkforum.com/showthread.php?t=7378

[Adkleaddog]

Thanks! A little too late I guess!

I even read that thread!

I guess fishing has been put on the "backburner", by myself anyways!

woof!

[ken999]

roger that...grab them frontstuffers...

[toothlessannie]

The link to the press release is

http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/38867.html

[brookies4ever]

That's too bad, my favorite time of year to fish there too. One would hope that there is a lesson learned here, with regards to better managing the releases at Hinckley.

[FrankCoz]

Any updates?
I see the dam is releasing more water than the previous record lows.

[troutchaser30]

According to the Utica OD (10/25), the fishing ban is still in effect until further notice.

I hope things change. I have a week of vacation to burn in Nov and wouldn't mind hitting the WCC one last time.

[Adkleaddog]

Below is from the 10/05 press release....it appears that you can fish the upper reaches above Trenton Falls.....

Because of dry conditions and low water levels in Hinckley Reservoir, flows into West Canada Creek have been reduced to record low levels. As a result, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will be issuing emergency regulations closing this renown trout stream to all fishing from its mouth (the Mohawk River) upstream to the dam at Trenton Falls.

The regulations affect a 28-mile section of the Creek, take effect immediately, and run through Nov. 30, the end of the regular season. However, catch-and-release fishing will be allowed beginning Dec. 1 on a stretch of the creek beginning at Trenton Falls Dam and running downstream for 2.5 miles to the Cincinnati Creek.

The low flows impact West Canada Creek's important trout fishery in many ways. Chiefly, low water in the riffles impede fish passage and, as a result, trout and other fish are forced to concentrate in deeper pools. This makes them vulnerable to stress related to too-warm water temperatures, reduced food supplies and, potentially, low oxygen levels. The trout population would also be subjected to increased levels of angler catch rates and harvest.

It is hoped fall rains will relieve the low water conditions in Hinckley Reservoir and allow discharges into West Canada to be returned to normal, higher levels. The emergency regulations are designed to protect the trout fishery through the current stressful conditions, which will ensure a return to quality angling next spring and summer. DEC fisheries and law enforcement staff will be on the river beginning this weekend to advise anglers of the emergency regulations and suggest alternate fishing locations.

For more information, contact:
Region 6 Fisheries Manager Frank Flack at (315) 408-4440 or
Region 6 Natural Resource Supervisor Albert Schiavone at (315) 783-1635.