Willowemoc Creek
The State has made major investments to protect the historic Beaverkill\Willowemoc watershed. The Beaverkill and its major tributary, Willowemoc Creek, are revered in the angling world as the birthplace of American fly fishing and the historic focus of American recreational trout fishing in the nineteenth century. In 1999, the State acquired more than 400 acres of lands along the Willowemoc and several public fishing rights easements have been acquired on the Willowemoc, the Beaverkill and Little Beaverkill. Also, DEC Commissioner John P. Cahill announced in April 2000, that the Department has launched a new initiative to improve the legendary fishery of the Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek. The initiative will lead to development of a comprehensive watershed management plan with a focus on the trout fishery and watershed factors influencing this fishery. Efforts will include extensive creel and angler surveys, stream flow and water temperature monitoring, research on tributary trout production, trout population estimates, and identification of watershed and habitat influences that limit the fishery. The goal is to use the information collected in collaboration with local communities, businesses, individuals and organizations like Trout Unlimited to make the Beaverkill fishery the best it can be, while setting a new standard for scientifically sound, community-based management of New York's magnificent natural resources.
