Beavers and Brook Trout
In the Adirondacks there are many iconic duos, Adirondack chairs on the lakeshore, snacks on a summit, and loons on a lake. However, to some people, there is nothing more satisfying than the calmness found on a remote beaver pond fishing for brook trout. As much as moose, black bears, and bobcats influence Adirondack folklore, I encourage you to think of the American beaver, Castor canadensis, and brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, within the same class. Most visitors and residents of the Adirondacks are quite familiar with the beaver. Perhaps you have encountered one on a morning paddle, or in the case of one of my colleagues, maybe you were charged by a beaver on your way to your college class. Regardless, many of us have seen the altered landscape that is a result of our rodent friends.
Beavers are the largest rodent in North America and are primarily aquatic animals. They build their complex lodges on islands, or alongside the shoreline of a lake or pond. Often these log homes will contain two exits, with the main floor of the lodge being slightly above the water. These structures might be up to eight feet wide and will utilize plant material to insulate the lodge such as sticks, logs, mud, or moss. It’s usually their elaborate dams that signify their presence in a waterbody. Other than humans, beavers are considered the ultimate ecosystem engineer. The ability to dam a waterbody gives beavers the advantage of changing their habitat to suit their needs. This can offer a variety of benefits to the health of our watersheds.
What can beavers offer our watersheds?
Beaver dams can lead to flooding of trails, roads, and even our backyards. However, the wetlands created by beavers offer suitable habitat for hundreds of species, making the beaver a keystone species. About 14% of the land area in the Adirondacks is considered wetland. This habitat is vital to many threatened or endangered species such as spruce grouse, rusty blackbird, short-eared owl, or the sedge wren. With the creation of dams, beavers increase riparian habitat, and offer additional benefits such as increased underground water storage in the surrounding wetland. Increased surface water and groundwater mixing help to reduce water temperatures that increase suitable habitat for brook trout and other aquatic life. The benefits of beaver and brook trout populations are often viewed as site-specific. However, it’s worth noting that these species evolved together in North America, spending thousands of years in the same watersheds.
Around the time period of the Industrial Revolution, the fur trade and trapping of beavers nearly led to their extinction by the end of the 19th century. While this was celebrated by some, the advantages that beavers give to native trout populations outweigh the negatives. Beaver created ponds and wetlands are important tools in the effort to manage water by retaining it in the headwaters of river systems. The structures created by beavers create thermal refuges for trout and other species. These ponds serve as a reservoir to hold snowmelt in the spring, while also raising the water table in the summer months. The additional storage of water underground aids in keeping waterbodies at a cooler temperature, which is critical for brook trout. When a beaver removes a tree from the shoreline of a river or pond, it is assumed that the additional sunlight and loss of an active root system would negatively impact the waterbody. However, the same tree that was removed from the shoreline might be used in a lodge or dam, offering shade to passing brook trout who might need a break from a strong current or direct sunlight. Many studies have also shown that brook trout are not significantly impeded by their ability to travel through moving water if a dam is present. Although it may seem as though a dam would prevent brook trout from moving freely, these two species have become quite adapted to living with one another over the course of many centuries. With proper protections, they will continue to flourish alongside of one another.
Are Brook Trout an indicator of healthy watersheds?
Those who enjoy fishing are likely familiar with brook trout. Brook trout are a highly sought-after game fish in the Adirondacks. In fact, brook trout aren’t considered a trout, but rather a species of char. These fish are equipped to survive the colder waters of the northeast and are often a symbol of pristine waters. Brook trout require cold, highly oxygenated water. Although you can find brook trout in both larger lakes and smaller ponds, they tend to be more common in smaller water bodies. If fishing for brook trout, you’re likely to have the best luck during dawn and dusk when there is less direct sunlight. Spring and fall are known as being the best time to catch these beautiful but often elusive fish. As water temperatures increase throughout the summer, brook trout spend most of their time in the colder depths of a lake or pond. To avoid adding stress to brook trout populations, it’s recommended to limit targeting these populations when temperatures are high. When a waterbody is experiencing elevated temperatures or going through a period of drought, it is likely to impact the brook trout population. These fish are highly sensitive to increases in acidity and threats from other invasive organisms. To protect the species from the introduction of non-native species, the use of baitfish is prohibited in most brook trout ponds. Therefore, if you are fishing in a pond with brook trout, it’s a good indicator that the waterbody is healthy.
Accessing beaver ponds in the Adirondacks can range from a quick walk from a parking area to multi-day paddling or hiking trips. Regardless, the benefits that beavers and brook trout offer the region are worth seeing for yourself. If you find yourself looking for beaver activity, remember to maintain a safe distance from the animal. Don’t remove beaver dams or lodges on public lands and follow the Leave No Trace Principles. If fishing for brook trout, refrain from using baitfish where it isn’t permitted.
