NAPLES, NY (607NewsNow) — The annual rainbow trout sampling at Naples Creek starts at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 19th.

The DEC conducts the annual sampling to “aid in its ongoing assessment of Finger Lakes fisheries management practices and to provide up-to-date information for the opening day fishing forecast. During sampling, length, weight, sex, and spawning condition data will be collected for each fish captured,” according to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

The public is encouraged to attend and observe safely.