Conservation Alert: How Much Could Warming Affect Brook Trout Habitat?

To figure this out, the researchers calculated how far you’d need to drive from 23 cities throughout the eastern brook trout range, to the 10 nearest streams likely to have wild brook trout under current and then projected future conditions.

Published in a recent issue of Fisheries journal, the results are startling.  The authors project that on average, in the next 70-80 years, anglers will need to drive 164 miles further to reach brook trout fisheries.  That’s two-and-a-half to three hours of additional driving, one way (on top of what currently ranges from a 4 to 87 mile drive depending on where you live).

Of course, all projections are uncertain, which is why the scientists modeled a range of scenarios.  Studies like this can be complex, but the authors did a nice job translating the results into terms that mean something – time and money traveling, versus spending time actually fishing.

Actions:  First, there are some great articles and the journal research you can read for more information (see links below) if of interest to you.  Next, find ways to get involved in mitigating global warming, by contributing or volunteering with tree planting and other conservation
efforts.

Other very practical ways you can contribute are reducing automobile emissions, buying your energy from cleaner sources, installing a heat pump, and many other strategies.

Perhaps most importantly, help get the word out so others are aware and can do their part too.  After all, we are so collectively mesmerized by the beauty of the brook trout, that it doesn’t even matter if we catch and release only small ones on a given day.  In fact that’s half the fun as they are so incredibly scrappy and colorful!