SALAMANCA, N.Y. — Continuing reconstruction work on Red House Lake in Allegany State Park will prevent fishermen awaiting the start of New York’s trout season this weekend from casting baits into the impoundment.
Officially, the season gets underway at midnight on Sunday.
The project, which is concentrated on repairs to the nearly 100-year-old earthen dam, plus the spillway and bridge, was slowed during the inclement winter weather, but overall is considered on schedule. The lake itself, however, remains in drawdown mode. Original reconstruction plans called for the water level to be lowered by eight feet.
Before work began last fall, a number of fish were caught and transferred to Quaker Lake on the South side of the park through a cooperative effort between NYS Parks and the DEC. That allowed for an ample oxygen supply for fish remaining in the down-sized pool.
Red House Lake normally receives a pre-season stocking of trout from the Randolph Hatchery in Randolph, N.Y., but was not stocked due to the lowered lake level and ongoing reconstruction work.
Little information was available at this time, regarding when and if a restocking will take place, however, the lake is expected to be gradually refilled this spring as early stages of reconstruction are completed.
Pre-season stocking did take place on Friday of this week in other areas of the park.
In Red House Brook, above the lake area, just over 1,000 spring yearling brown trout in the 8- and 9-inch range were released into the stream.
Bay State Brook from the ASP boundary upstream received nearly 500 trout of the same species and size range.
On the Quaker side of the park, Quaker Lake was not on the pre-season trout stocking list, however, both Science Lake and Quaker Run received trout.
Science Lake, which is located on ASP 3 near the headwaters of Quaker Run, was stocked with over 200 brown trout in the 8- to 9-inch range.
Meanwhile, Quaker Run, from below Science Lake to the head of Quaker Lake, received 1,550 brown trout in the same size range. Anglers are reminded that there is a special regulations area on the stream.
Any changes in rules specific to Allegany State Park, can be obtained at the park police offices located in the main administration building on the Red House side of the park and on the Quaker side.
