Wild Native Brook Trout in NH Need Your Help

NFC went to the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire to prove there are wild native brook trout, even on heavily stocked waters. The stream we chose is heavily stocked, and exploited, from its termination as far up as it can be reached by truck.

NFC National Vice Chair Bob Mallard, Maine Chair Emily Bastian, and Technologist Ben Brunt got above the highest stocking point, headed into the woods, and fished. Over two days of wildly varying temperatures, we caught beautiful wild native brook trout in what looked like the same habitat found downstream that is nearly devoid of such.

So, is the problem Habitat? Angler exploitation? Or simply habit, and by that we mean stocking because it’s what we’ve always done?