From Jessica Strickland and Trout Unlimited - 
 
CDFW Inland Trout Regulation Changes - IMPORTANT PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING MARCH 20th BISHOP
Hello folks,
 
As many of you have heard, CDFW has been talking about simplifying their state trout regulations for the last couple of years.  They’ve released their proposed changes, which are relatively significant.  The chance to comment is in person at upcoming public meetings.  This is very important if you have an opinion on their changes.  I describe some of the changes and provide more information below (CDFW website info page: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Trout-Plan/Regulation-Simplification). 
 
PUBLIC MEETING – EASTERN SIERRA - Wednesday, March 20, 2019 6-8 p.m. Talman Pavilion, Tricounty Fairgrounds, 1234 Fair St., Bishop
 
OTHER LOCATIONS:
Wednesday, March 27, 2019 6-8 p.m. Redding Library Community Room, 1100 Parkview Ave., Redding
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 6-8 p.m. Betty Rodriguez Regional Library, 3040 N. Cedar Ave., Fresno
Saturday, April 6, 2019 Noon-2 p.m. Bass Pro Shops, 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, Rancho Cucamonga
Wednesday, April 10, 2019 6-8 p.m. Colonial Heights Library Community Room, 4799 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento
Tuesday, April 23, 2019 6-8 p.m. Truckee-Tahoe Airport Community Room, 10356 Truckee Airport Road, Truckee
 
IF YOU CANNOT MAKE THE MEETING CONTACT: Roger Bloom, CDFW Inland Fisheries Program, (916) 445-3777
 
The biggest change being – all waters under Section 7 general regulations for the Sierra district (see below) have been replaced with the following simplified regulation, “Open year-round, 5 trout bag, 10 trout possession limit, no gear restrictions.”  The obvious change here being unless otherwise specified - fishing is now open year around.  They’ve also shifted seasons around for waters with special restrictions in the following way:
 
Seasons

• All Year
• Closed to fishing all year
• September 1 through November 30
• Saturday preceding Memorial Day through September 30
• Saturday preceding Memorial Day through the last day in February
• October 1 through Friday preceding Memorial Day

 
They have also made some changes to special regulations – IE – Crowley, Upper Owens, Walker River, etc. 
  
Feel free to contact me with any questions.  Trout Unlimited staff will be in attendance at as many of these meetings as possible.  Please pass this information along!
 
Jessica Strickland
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
California Inland Trout Program Director
830.5159917

Excerpts from a blog by George Kramer

An unusual benefactor – Santa Ana suckers and their restored habitat in the Santa Ana River – provided the impetus for a CDFW transfer of fish to Lake Elsinore on Thursday, Dec. 27th. Largemouth bass were among 386 fish transported, along with a nice helping of green sunfish and bullhead. Lake Elsinore (a bump in the San Jacinto River) is actually a tributary of the Santa Ana River connecting near Corona. That put the natural lake in an ideal place to get discards from the states restoration of the Santa Ana. The relocated fish would have been otherwise dispatched, along with the carp, fathead minnows and goldfish captured in the tributary. Most of the fish were green sunfish; however, 14 largemouth, and two really nice bluegill were released at the new launching facility on the north side of the lake. They may work with the restoration crew again to relocate more fish including largemouth bass since it went so well.

Read More: Kramer Gone Fishing

 

 CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife NEWS

January 4, 2013

 

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is reintroducing native rainbow trout to the Kern River. Four water wells were recently drilled to serve as a back-up water source during adverse river conditions in preparation for the reintroduction. “This is an important phase of the project and represents a significant milestone in preserving the heritage species in the Kern River,” said CDFW senior fisheries Environmental Scientist Brian Beal. “Upgrading our facility to reintroduce native trout will offer great fishing opportunities, while providing economic benefits and encouraging tourism.”

The reintroduction program will focus on Kern River rainbow trout, a strain of rainbow trout endemic to the Kern River. Because of heavy angling pressure and non-native introductions over the last century, the native fish can only be found in remote isolated areas of the Kern River. As the program evolves, CDFW also plans to replace the existing non-native trout plants in the main stem Kern River and surrounding area with native trout. These non-native species include brown and other strains of rainbow trout that were planted over the years but not native to the river

Read more: CDFW Moves Native Trout Program Forward at Kern River Hatchery