MISSION STATEMENT
PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND RESTORE wild NATIVE FISH POPULATIONS THROUGH STEWARDSHIP OF THE FISH AND THEIR HABITATS
THE new hampshire CHAPTER OF NFC IS DEDICATED TO:
Jonathan Zukowski was an exceptional fly fisher and skilled outdoorsperson, innovative fly designer and fly tyer, fly shop owner, musician, and early member of the New Hampshire NFC board. Jonathan was lost far too young, doing what he loved most, fly fishing, where he most loved to do it, his favorite trophy trout fishery. He was liked by everyone who met him, and is deeply missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. Tight lines friend…
new hampshire native fishes
New Hampshire is home to three native charr and salmon: Brook trout, lake trout, and Atlantic salmon. Brook trout are the official State Freshwater Fish, and are still found in many small streams across the state. Numerous other native fish can be found in New Hampshire as well, including cusk, lake whitefish, several species of dace, chub, and sculpin; several species of sunfish, chain and redfin pickerel, anadromous smelt, alewife, and shad; catadromous America eel, Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, and striped bass, the official state Saltwater Game Fish. In a warming climate, New Hampshire’s high-elevation high-gradient headwater streams will play an important role in brook trout preservation.
STATUS, THREATS, AND CONSERVATION
Like most other states, New Hampshire’s native fishes face many threats and challenges including angler exploitation, state-sponsored and private trout stocking, habitat degradation, development, pollution, climate change, and nonnative invasive fish introductions. New Hampshire has lost two rare native charr species: Arctic charr, formerly known as Sunapee trout, and silver trout, a rare subspecies of native brook trout. Sea-run Atlantic salmon are teetering on the brink of extinction with restoration efforts suspended on the Connecticut River and Merrimack River systems. Wild native brook trout, the official State Freshwater Fish, are now found primarily in small headwater streams having been lost from most lakes, ponds, rivers, and many large streams, to angler exploitation, stocking, habitat degradation, and pollution. In fact, there are just three formally recognized wild brook trout ponds in the state. When it comes to trout, most lakes, ponds, rivers, and many large streams in New Hampshire are propped up through stocking. While they look healthy to the untrained eye, rivers such as the Ammonoosuc, Ellis, Israel, Peabody, Pemigewasset, Saco, Swift, and Zealand are heavily stocked, often with nonnative brown and rainbow trout, and nearly devoid of wild native brook trout. The critically important Wild Trout Management program, the only formal wild trout program in the state, is limited to just 13 streams and 3 ponds statewide with none in the wild brook trout rich White Mountains region, and no waters have been added in 15 years.
NEW HAMPSHIRE nfc board
Below is our New Hampshire State Board. This dedicated group of volunteers are our "boots on the ground" in New Hampshire, home to several self-sustaining native brook trout ponds, miles of native brook trout headwater streams, and a remnant population of Atlantic salmon.
NEW HAMPSHIRE nfc ADvisory CounCil
Below is our New Hampshire Advisory Council. This group of volunteers represents a veritable all-star team of subject matter expertise and hands-on experience. They work with the New Hampshire board to identify areas in need of attention, while providing technical assistance.
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ALIESS JOHN was born and raised in the Concord area of New Hampshire…