Cannonsville Reservoir Angler Diary Program (2008)
An angler diary program was established on Cannonsville Reservoir in 2004 to assess the quality of the brown trout fishery in this 4,800 acre New York City water supply impoundment. This program also allowed the evaluation of the experimental stocking of approximately 5,000 brown trout yearlings annually that began in 2005. All stocked fish had their adipose fin removed to facilitate identification of these hatchery fish by angler cooperators. In 2008, shore and boat anglers made 260 trips totaling 887.6 hours, and they caught 176 brown trout and 3 rainbow trout for a catch rate of 0.20 trout/hour and 0.19 legal (≥ 12 in) trout/hour. These catch rates are about half those reported in nearby Pepacton Reservoir which is noted for its good brown trout fishery. The average trout caught by Cannonsville Reservoir cooperators measured 18.4 inches. Cooperators caught 85 marked hatchery brown trout ranging from 10 to 24 inches long. These hatchery fish comprised 48% of the total brown trout catch, 42% of the legal brown trout, and 7% of the large trout 21 inches and larger. In 2006 and 2007, hatchery brown trout comprised 31% and 41% of the total brown trout catch. Since stocked trout contribute significantly to the catch of brown trout in this 4,800 acre reservoir, the stocking program will be made permanent.
