Dam Removal Enhances Fishing on Mongaup Creek in the Catskills

Articles

Feb 15

Written By : Trent Jones

Mongaup Creek, a tributary to Willowemoc Creek in New York's Upper Delaware River watershed, is set to become even better for anglers, thanks to a combination of management decisions and restoration efforts.

Dam Removal Opens New Habitat

In late 2020, New York state halted stocking on Mongaup Creek, officially designating it as wild trout water. This was a key step in boosting the health of the creek's fishery, which already boasted a thriving population of wild brook trout. The latest restoration project, which involved the removal of a dam near the creek’s entry to Willowemoc Creek, has taken things even further. This dam removal opens up over 15 miles of prime trout habitat, significantly enhancing the wild fishery.

A Bigger Picture of Watershed Restoration

Trout Unlimited (TU) led the charge, with the support of partners like the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Theodore Gordon Flyfishers (TGF). In addition to removing the barrier, crews worked on improving the creek’s habitat by stabilizing banks and installing grade-control structures to support trout populations.

These efforts are part of a broader initiative to restore wild trout habitats throughout the Upper Delaware River watershed. With a 9,300 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and other key contributions, this work is just the beginning. Future projects will continue to improve habitat and further enhance fishing conditions on Mongaup Creek and beyond.

For more information about the restoration projects in the Upper Delaware River and how they are working on improving fishing, check out the full article 👉 here.

Conservation