About CFRs
A Coldwater Fish Resource (CFR) is a waterbody (stream, river, or tributary thereto) used by reproducing coldwater fish to meet one or more of their life history requirements. CFRs are particularly sensitive habitats. Changes in land and water use can reduce the ability of these waters to support trout and other kinds of coldwater fish. Identification of CFRs are based on fish samples collected annually by staff biologists and technicians.
Coldwater fish include:
- Longnose Sucker (Catostomus catostomus)
- Slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus)
- Lake chub (Couesius plumbeus)
- American Brook Lamprey (Lethenteron appendix)
- Burbot (Lota lota)
- Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax)
- Landlocked salmon (Salmo salar)
- Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
- Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
- Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife maintains a list of waters that are identified as Coldwater Fish Resources (CFR). The CFRs shown on the map above is updated on the website annually. Conservation commissions, planning commissions, land trusts, consultants, and town open space committees may find this information useful for conservation planning.
NOTE: New streams are sampled and evaluated yearly. There are more than 11,000 miles of streams and rivers in the Commonwealth, not all of which have been sampled. The CFRs are updated and posted annually to reflect the most current fisheries surveys, but CFR listings may be identified frequently in the interim.
For information on the most updated listings or any decisions or questions involving CFR water quality or development projects (i.e., environmental review, etc.) that may affect CFRs, please contact Adam Kautza. Requests should include GPS coordinates or location description, stream name and/or SARIS ID number, town, and a brief explanation for your inquiry.