Let's get one thing straight, any type of trout fishing can be a bit of a challenge. With all of the rain and flooding this spring, it has become even more difficult throughout the Adirondacks.This time of year, any of the countless lakes and ponds can offer a more enjoyable fishing experience than streams and rivers, as they are not affected as much by high water levels.
Every year as the weather warms up a little, and the water levels begin to drop back down to normal, the fish start biting. Insects start hatching, and inevitably end up on the surface of the water just waiting to be enjoyed by the different species of trout that are present in our area. But trout season opens on April 1st, and the first month of the season is always challenging, and often irritating. The water is too cold which causes the fish to be slightly anemic, and not motivated to work for their food.The three main species that are native to the Adirondacks, and stocked by DEC, are the Brook Trout, the Brown Trout, and the Rainbow Trout. Each year NYS Department of Environment Conservation stocks over one million pounds of fish into 1,200+ rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. This enhances recreational fishing, and restores native species to waters that were once theirs.
While wild fish offer a tastier meal, stockies are fun to catch, and once they become acclimated to the body of water they are planted in, it becomes difficult to distinguish between the two. In my experience, wild trout have an orange/pink flesh that tastes great, and holds a nice texture after cooking. Stocked trout grow up in artificial reservoirs and eat artificial food, resulting in pale flesh and noticeably worn fins.
With the stocking under way, and the water temperatures rising, trout fishing in the Adirondacks should improve over the next week or two. I caught several wild browns on the Mettawee River in Granville over the weekend, and the fishermen I came across were also having some luck. I am aware that the Mettawee is not in the Adirondack Park, however it offers fishing conditions similar to those on Adirondack rivers and streams.
Good luck out there! I'll have updates coming as I hit the water in search of that trophy that I just know is in there!
Do you have any tips or tricks on early season trout fishing? Let us know, we will be forever grateful!
Some small streams in the adirondacks have come down a bit making the fishing a bit easier. I also fish the mettawee quite a bit, nice easy day trip if you want a guarentee catch. As you said, ponds and lakes are better when the water is high. Just to let you know, only brook and lake trout are native to NYS. The brown was brought over in the late 1800s from europe and the rainbow was brought from the pacific coast. They do live and spawn here in NY now though! Bonus for us! I've enjoyed what i've read so far! Keep it up!