August 2026

Successful 2026 Picnic and Raffle

Conservation Notes

As summer winds down and we start getting cooler nights,  stream temperatures will start returning to safer levels to target trout again.  That said, we are still receiving summer weather so checking with thermometers is the best option to play it safe. 

Remember, critical temperature thresholds to reduce stress on trout are mid to upper 60's.   Bass, pike, and panfish are better targets when temperatures are too warm for trout.

The Cohocton River Mayfly temperature station (CLTU)

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Earlier this Spring, multiple concerned anglers approached me about what appeared to be unusual turbidity while fishing the Cohocton River.  As a result, a couple of our members investigated, and from their own angling visits as well as a bit of general monitoring, we were able to narrow the potential source of the turbidity to a gravel mine below the village of Cohocton.  We then formed a small group and addressed this concern with Pete Austerman of DEC Fisheries.  Pete took action and reported the concerns to the DEC division of water.  Talks then occurred between the DEC and the mine owners to evaluate silt exiting the facility and making its way into the Cohocton river.  While it appeared the mine was taking action to make improvements, recent observations and photographs from chapter members provided the necessary evidence that excessive siltation was still occurring.   As a result Pete Austerman has reported to us that an engineer from the DEC Division of Water will be doing a follow-up inspection of the mine next week. They will come up with a plan to get things in compliance.  This is great news as the siltation of stream and river beds has detrimental effects on both fish and aquatic insect reproduction.  We will be sure to inform our chapter of updates to this situation as they progress.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~We will have another round of tree maintenance on the Cohocton occurring this fall along with some supplemental plantings.  Details with be provided in near future meetings and newsletters.  Volunteers will be needed.  Stay tuned.

The Newsletter of the Canandaigua Lake Chapter,
Trout Unlimited

Publish Date: August 23, 2026

Donations to help with all of our conservation and education effort are always welcome. Thank you!