"Movements of Hatchery-Reared Brook Trout PIT-Tagged and Released into a Long Island, NY, Stream: Evaluating Potential for Anadromous Behavior"

Our goal is to document and understand success of acclimation of hatchery-reared brook trout to formerly native habitats on Long Island including determining whether there is evidence of anadromous behavior. Shu Swamp Preserve is part of the Oyster Bay Stewardship area and contains Beaver Brook, the only officially recognized spawning ground of brook trout in western Long Island. Beaver Brook empties into Beaver Lake which exits via spillway into the Mill Neck estuary. Beginning in the 2000’s, adult and fingerling trout provided by Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery were released into Beaver Brook. Reintroduction efforts have shown success; since 2008 YOY have been observed in late winter/early spring. Beginning in June 2012 we have been monitoring movements of 232 PIT-tagged mature and immature hatchery-reared trout released into Beaver Brook and we plan to tag resident fish for comparison. PIT-tags are detected at the entrance of Beaver Brook into Beaver Lake and at the spillway. Thus far 41% of PIT tags were detected at the lake entrance and 10% at the spillway; most occurring soon after release. Despite evidence of movements to the spillway, in hatchery-reared fish this appears to be a result of dispersal after release rather than sea-run behavior.