A Fish of Mill River Legend

Trout are less plentiful on Long Island than bass and attract anglers who are deeply devoted to studying them as well as catching them. Because trout require clean, clear, cool water to thrive, they are relatively uncommon here, unlike bass, which can survive conditions that would kill other species. The lakes formed by the damming of Mill River are murky and shallow and warm quickly during hot spells. South Pond, the only Hempstead lake with trout, is somewhat deeper than most, easy to fish from shore, and also contains bass, carp, bluegills, and other warm-water species. Its trout are the three kinds most commonly found in eastern waters: rainbow, brown, and brook. Although trout were said to have been plentiful in upper Mill River before its waters were slowed centuries ago by mill dams, South Pond has this game fish only because the state stocks it there.

Rockville Centre, New York · United States