Wild Brookie in an urban creek?
 

So I have been exploring local ponds, rivers, and streams. So I fished this creek that runs through my town. Threw a trout magnet with no luck or a while. Then, I found some holes with a very healthy population of pumkinseeds and creek chubs. (Some of these creek chubs were above the 7 in mark.) Then I spotted something bigger dart upstream. I thought nothing of it at first, making a cast toward that general area convincing myself it was just another chub and kept fishing. Then I saw it again, this time stopping near me, within eyes view. It was a brookie, a nice one too. Nearly fainted, considering the patterns on the fish and the fact that I was fishing next to a gas station. Casted my trout magnet past him, tried to get a bite and spooked him. Fished for another 30 mins there with no trout. Came back later to fish but didn't see it. Is it possible that there are wild reproducing trout in this creek? Keep in mind it runs past a bunch of stores and businesses and is full of trash Or do you think it was a leftover stockie? Just a little report/story and tight lines.

Re: Wild Brookie in an urban creek?
 

well my first thought is, you're mistaking it for something else, and the water was playing tricks on your eyes, but hey you never know! could've been from a club stocking or something. the state didn't stock any brookies for the past few years so if its a stocker it's been holding over for a while.

only way to find out for sure is to catch it! looking forward to seeing a pic!

Re: Wild Brookie in an urban creek?
 

You can answer your question by asking yourself a few. Forget where the stream is and consider the following:
Does it have good water flow year round?
Does the temperature get much above 72 degrees in the summer or is it possibly spring fed in the area you saw the fish?
Despite the urban setting and the fact that it is "full of trash" is the water dirty of generally clear and clean?
Does it run into a larger stream or river that hold brook trout or one that has been stocked with brook trout in the past?

Re: Wild Brookie in an urban creek?
 

In the mid 1980’s, @ the urging of the now defunct Toms River Trout Unlimited Chapter, NJDF&W back pack electrofished Toms River in Jackson. The anglers were sure that they observed juvenile, naturally reproduced Brook Trout. Though, they never caught any.

What they were seeing, which we collected, were Eastern Mudminnows. Through the water, they can look trout-like.

They can tolerate low dissolved oxygen & acidic water.

Re: Wild Brookie in an urban creek?
 

It's possible. I know people who have caught wild browns on the Pequannock where it runs through the center of Bloomingdale behind gas stations, laundromats and nail salons.

Re: Wild Brookie in an urban creek?
 

i'm going with this^

Re: Wild Brookie in an urban creek?
 

Ditto on that. Have caught plenty of true wild fish in that river. Small fish that fight well.
C & R on all of those

Re: Wild Brookie in an urban creek?
 

That's my home turf! Lol

Not all the browns in the pq are small, some 12 in plus. The upper waterway is pretty secluded, but even the track in Bloomingdale is good. The wanaque has the some type of fish in spots. Like he said, clear water , spring or reservoir fed, stays decently cold. Not totally impossible, depends on the water source

Re: Wild Brookie in an urban creek?
 

The answer to all those questions is yes. It has all of the needs for trout.

Re: Wild Brookie in an urban creek?
 

The fish I saw had a red-ish fin and underbelly. It looked nothing like that.