warmer waters

fishing the waters of the eastern united states for the past 20 years raises concern that our native brook trout that depends on cold water temperatures is in trouble as warming to our climate progresses. the threats facing this species include clearing of riparian vegetation, instream habitat alteration, nutrient pollution, water withdrawals - all of which are exacerbated by warming climate. not only are more frequent floods harming people, property, and the economy in vermont and other northeast states, but streams are becoming less hospitable for trout. the decline of brook trout that has been witnessed in southern and mid-atlantic streams seems to be showing up in vermont trout streams. the mad and dog rivers are just two beautiful vermont rivers hanging on to hold trout due to reduced riparian cover, lower base flows, flashy floods, unstable bed and banks, and warmer waters. you can find the brookies in the mountains and downstream of bottom-release dams fragmenting our larger waters, but other than that a thriving natural cold-water fishery could be a thing of the past as global climate change progresses.