The techniques used in calculating the trout population estimates mentioned here are widely accepted as being quite reliable, efficient, but imperfect. While the estimates cited here should not be considered the last word on the brook trout populations discussed, I consider them to be good data, as well as the best data available. I am not aware of any conclusive answer for that question. I can only show some data from other trout streams for comparison by readers. Cedar Run, Tioga and Lycoming Counties, Pennsylvania, held approximately 230 brown trout per hectare above 8 inches during summer, 2000.
Anglers commonly experience high-quality fishing experiences at both streams.
Brook trout of at least 8 inches are found in most Class A brook trout streams, but abundance of such quality-size fish varies considerably among the streams. Among the streams I investigated, there were 23 with at least 30 trout per kilometre of 8 inches or longer. I used two statistical procedures to try to identify attributes of the best Class A brook trout streams. Some readers will be familiar with the two techniques, e.g., multiple regression and t-test of differences between means. I should stress that alkalinity did not vary appreciably among the Class A streams, so there was little chance that alkalinity could influence variation among trout populations.