Several California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) fish hatchery facilities in the eastern Sierra and Southern California are battling a bacterial outbreak that has the potential to cause significant losses to both hatchery and wild fish populations. The outbreak of Lactococcus garvieae, which is similar to streptococcus, has sickened fish at the Mojave River Hatchery and has been detected at both the Black Rock and Fish Springs hatcheries. A fourth CDFW hatchery, Hot Creek Hatchery, was originally quarantined out of caution but after testing that quarantine has been lifted.

Read more: on CDFW

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