An Assessment of Coastal and Anadromous Brook Trout in New England

Brook trout in New England coastal streams can exhibit partial anadromy.  However, anadromous brook trout, often called “salters,” have declined and their current status in New England is uncertain.  We conducted a rangewide assessment of coastal and anadromous brook trout from Maine to Long Island, New York.  Across 471 streams, brook trout are thought to be extirpated from 57 streams, but their status in 201 streams is still unknown. Most coastal brook trout streams were identified in Maine (317 streams) and the fewest were in Rhode Island (7 streams).  Only six streams were identified as having anadromous brook trout with a high level of certainty; three streams in Maine and three in Massachusetts.  There were 33 other streams from Maine to Long Island, New York where anadromous brook trout are thought to occur with a moderate level of certainty.  A cumulative logistic regression model showed anadromy to be more likely when brook trout are abundant, whereas the extent of habitat connected to the sea had no association with anadromy.  The assessment will inform a regional anadromous brook trout restoration program focused on habitat protection and restoration and reducing the uncertainty surrounding the status coastal and anadromous brook trout in New England.