Trout Power
advocacy. stewardship. citizen science.
catch the power.
Mission Focus
Enlisting the power of anglers to protect, restore and enhance native brook trout populations and their habitats across their native range, through citizen science, advocacy and stewardship.
EST. 2012
501c3 Jan 1. 2017
Our citizen science efforts seek to identify, map, monitor and advocate for protection of wild and genetically unique brook trout populations in the Adirondacks and wherever they are found throughout New York.
Pay it forward.
It's pretty simple. We need more help to find, advocate for and protect our New York's brook trout. They are native. They are an ecologically and a culturally significant part of the northeast. They are an indication of a healthy ecosystem.
We rely on help from people to manage projects, be on committees, just fish, or donate. Either way, we have to know how to get in touch with you.
Click the Get Involved button and be part of the team.
Donate to Trout Power
Performing science the right way is expensive, and every little bit helps, so please consider making a donation.
Sponsor a fin clip! On average a DNA sample costs approximately $60 per trout.
Currently we are accepting donations via Facebook, Network For Good or a mailed check.
Links are to the right for easy processing.
Donations are used for DNA sample processing and Trout Power Genetic work so that we may continue learning about our native trout.
Thank You for your support!
What is a native Brook Trout?
Brook trout are not only the state fish of New York, they are one of the few fish that is native to the state. As the last glaciers receded thousands of years ago, a pristine environment was left behind for these native fish. Today New York consists of 7,600 lakes and ponds, and over 70,000 miles of streams and rivers. To fill these waterbodies, the DEC in NY has had an active stocking program of brook trout beginning in 1879-1880. Over the past 140 years continuous stocking has lead to intraspecific breeding with native populations of fish by mixing the genetics and creating hybrids of stocked and native DNA. Within New York, there are a select few populations of genetically distinct brook trout that have not been influenced by stocking.
In the past few years, Trout Power has identified a previously undocumented, genetically unique strain of native brook trout and continues to search for more!
Native and Introduced Range of Brook Trout
Genetic Analysis
Our current focus is species specific to brook trout, and regionally specific to the Adirondack Park and other wild areas of New York State. Trout Power uses genetic analysis of fish tissue samples in order to document and potentially identify genetically unique brook trout. Samples are collected from fish that are caught using fly rods and barbless hooks. Trout are handled using safe fish handling practices, kept in the water, and all fish are released.
Since the inception of the genetic analysis project in 2016, Trout Power has caught and released over 500 brook trout and has documented hundreds of tissue samples. The tissue samples are compared to the 6 stocked strains that are stocked within NYS. To date, Trout Power has identified multiple possible genetically unique strains of brook trout.
Trout Power works closely with the NYS DEC and is currently working on multiple projects in various areas throughout New York State.
Genetic Analysis results for 2019 - 2022 to come soon!
Follow along
Interested to see what we've been up to lately? There are many ways to follow our adventures:
-Check out our facebook and give us a follow on Instagram.
-Enjoy our quarterly newsletters, The Trout Power Journal.
We're always updating our platforms with our latest events, tips and information on Adirondack brook trout!
Trout Power is proudly sponsored by JP Ross Fly Rods & Co Outdoors.
JP Ross Fly Rods & Co Outdoors is an outdoor lifestyle company that makes world class small stream fly rods in New York at the foothills of the Adirondack mountains. Every rod is hand made and provides an opportunity for adventure and making memories. JP Ross Fly Rods has been making people happy for over 25 years
Thank you to Our Sponsors!
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Three Rivers Lodge - Labrador
Three Rivers Lodge (TRL) is a wilderness fly fishing camp located in the southwest corner of the Labrador bush. The lodge offers fly anglers a remote experience and exclusive access to the nutrient-rich streams, rapids and lakes of the Woods River system. This watershed holds brook trout, northern pike, whitefish, lake trout, landlocked salmon, and fly outs for arctic char.