Staff Report / March 15, 2026
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will hold its annual rainbow trout run sampling event at Naples Creek later this month, offering the public a chance to observe fisheries staff studying the region’s wild trout population.
The sampling is scheduled for March 19 beginning at 9 a.m. near the State Route 245 bridge, roughly a quarter mile east of the Route 21 junction in the Village of Naples in Ontario County.
During the event, DEC fisheries staff will net rainbow trout migrating upstream in Naples Creek as part of their annual spawning run. Biologists will measure and record data such as the fish’s size and overall condition before releasing them back into the water. The information helps officials monitor the health of the trout population and guide fisheries management decisions.
According to DEC Region 8 Director Timothy Walsh, Naples Creek and its tributaries serve as the primary source of naturally produced rainbow trout for Canandaigua Lake. The creek’s role in the natural reproduction of the species makes it a key component of fisheries management across the western Finger Lakes region.
The annual sampling event has become a popular attraction for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. Members of the public are welcome to attend and watch the process, provided they observe from a safe distance.
Results from the sampling are typically released before the April 1 opening of the Finger Lakes tributary fishing season, which runs through December 31. Fishing on the main bodies of the Finger Lakes remains open year-round.
The event not only helps biologists track trout populations but also gives the public a firsthand look at how fisheries science is used to manage one of the region’s most popular sport fish.
