Kings running and spawning in I-Creek

[rolmops]

This Afternoon I was walking my dogs along the creek in the Spring Lake dog park and as my  golden retrievers always do, they jumped into the creek to play and swim. Then I saw them. A school of about 20 kings spawning in the gravel near the rifles. Me retrievers saw them too and they started running back and forth trying to push them into narrow shallows, but they were not very successful. It was for me the clearest proof that I-Creek is a natural reproduction creek. 

The thing that most impressed me is that these kings were a lot bigger than the ones I saw in the Altmar hatchery a few days ago. This is probably because of the wholesale slaughter taking place in the Salmon River, but I am silently hoping that I-Creek holds a genetic group that is larger than the ones in the Salmon River. Either way, it is very special to see nature in action in a creek that has come back from terrible pollution and is now clean and alive again, 

Edited 15 hours ago by rolmops

[LongLine]

Restoration goes a long way. 

[King Davy]

Yes Irondequoit creek is currently being studied with electro shocking events by region 8 where with help from Seth Green TU  we’ve discovered significant wild reproduction of brown trout and steelhead. The studies have been done in late summer early fall so not in the time frame to find wild chinooks but surely the salmon are successful spawning in Irondequoit creek. This creek does stay open even through the harshest winters with its steeper gradient that keeps water moving. 

TU has worked with Monroe county parks and towns bordering the creek to maintain wood in the stream. Our “Wood Is Good” program has enhanced not only cover and protection for par trout and salmon but also promotes better bug life. Where once towns and the parks department would remove trees that feel into the stream they now leave them as long as they won’t promote flooding and where canoe and kayakers can portage around wood in the stream.

[LongLine]

Well done!  It's taken a few years and many obstacles had to be overtaken but the Irond" creek restoration efforts are paying off.  It's a shame that the Sandy fishermen have been so negative towards any restoration thoughts of Sandy creek.