Chenunda Creek is a tributary of the upper Genesee River, which it joins in the hamlet of Stannards. This stream ranges from 10 to 20 feet in width, has a gravel bottom, and scrub woodlands provide substantial streamside cover in some sections (see photos).

Prior to 2021, Chenunda Creek was stocked in the spring with brown trout. However, when Chenunda Creek was sampled in the early summer of 2018, prior to the hottest time of the year, only low to moderate numbers of stocked fish were captured, which is similar to the findings of the stream studies conducted here from 2011-2013. If the stream had been sampled later in the summer, it is likely that even fewer, if any, hatchery trout would have been encountered. Because the stream failed to meet all of the required stocking criteria, it was removed from the stocking list. For additional information from the 2020 sampling effort on Chenunda Creek, see the DEC article under Links. 

When I first investigated Chenunda Creek in the early 1980s it barely rated mentioning in my guide to western New York. It was heavily impacted by agricultural activities, channelized with riprap in many areas to prevent flooding, and lacked significant streamside vegetation, which is necessary for bank stabilization, shading and cooling of water, and providing habitat for insects and fish. The result was a seasonal put-and-take fishery for stocked trout that was too warm in summer to provide any significant fishing.

Though it's no longer stocked, Chenunda Creek still provides good fishing opportunities because some aspects of this stream's environment have improved considerably over the past 30 years. Agricultural practices along this stream have improved, especially regarding the maintenance of the riparian corridor, and as a result, streamside vegetation has increased substantially. Though good-quality adult trout habitat is still uncommon in many sections of the creek due to channelization projects done in the 1970s following Hurricane Agnes, Chenunda Creek now provides at least some year-round habitat for adult wild trout. Portions of this stream support low to moderate populations of wild brown trout, and wild brook trout and brown trout are found in several tributaries, particularly Fulmer Valley Brook. Due in part to the low level of fishing activity on this stream, some of these wild fish attain very respectable size. Though Chenunda Creek doesn't rate as a high-quality trout stream, it does offer the opportunity to fish for wild trout in an uncrowded, rustic setting. 

It is important to remember that some of the environmental improvements taking place along streams such as Chenunda Creek are likely occurring on other streams in the region. As a result, some fine inland trout fishing can be found all season if you’re willing to do some investigating.

One problem that persists on this stream is the prevalence of posting. The map pin is located at the crossing of Dutch Hill/Schrader Road, and most of the stream in this area is posted. I've spoken to some residents along various parts of the stream, and litter left by anglers is the usual cause of the posting. Carrying a plastic garbage bag with you and offering to pick up litter (and actually doing so) will often get you access to seldom fished waters. 

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Information on an associated resource (Genesee River - State Line to Belmont) will be added soon.