dockboy
04-20-2010, 03:09 PM
Obviously, if you are an avid fisherman and have been following the recent news, it comes as no surprise to you that the DFG has stopped stocking trout in many state waters. Due to a lawsuit created by the Center For Biological Diversity and sponsored by volunteer project work by Stanford law students, the state forced the DFG to shut down stocking in waters across the state, for failure to finish an EIR (Environmental Impact Report) on state stocking of trout in California. In essence, the CBD filed suit on the account that non-native stocked trout directly or indirectly competed with native species for food and habitat. The state, in their favor, held that the DFG must stop stocking until individual EIRs could be completed for waters included in the CBD's list. Species threatened include native fish, birds, insect and more.
Recently, the DFG has been working overtime to get these evaluations finished, while be understaffed nonetheless. They have in large part cleared many of the state's lakes and streams for stocking. However, there seems to be some panic over the Eastern Sierras. Local shops like the Trout Fly in Mammoth and local government in Mono and Inyo counties have been trying their best to let people know whats happening regarding the evaluations. Here some things I hope you can keep in mind while regarding the evaluations.
- Certain species listed as "threatened" by stocked trout, for example the Willow Flycatcher, are migratory species. They won't be readily available for impact studies until after the ice off period of early summer. Moreover, many of the lakes above 7500' will be locked in with ice and snow for several more weeks this year, due to the above average amount of snowfall this year on the East Side. Due to this, it would reasonable to expect full evaluations will be completed when conditions permit.
-Bill AB7, passed in 2006, requires that 1/3rd of fishing license revenues go to inland fisheries and stocking programs, as opposed to the state general fund in which they perished before. This means the state has more fish to stock and less water at to do so with. In areas with high stocking rates for the relative area, this means more trout than usual in certain waters.
- AB7 also has a clause stating that 25% of the fish in the hatcheries need to be "native trout species". This is to allow the restocking of indigenous species. If the DFG cannot stock non-native fish like rainbows and brooks, perhaps more money will be spent on creating "native" fisheries. In the Eastern Sierras, this means Lahontan Cutts, Goldens, and several species of Redband Rainbow.
- The DFG has already begun work and trials with stocking sterile stockers. Sterile fish cannot spawn and thus cannot impact native fish species in the race for suitable spawning habitat. Where this is applicable, the results could be very good. Sterile trout grow faster, regain their natural colors quicker, and since they don't have to spend valuable time and energy preparing to spawn, often live a little longer than their fertile companions.
- Remember, the DFG wants to make this work. They weren't the decision makers in this process, the state was, and they are a state-run agency. They are simply following orders. In vast majority the rangers, biologists, and regional managers heading the DFG are fisherman themselves and they have nothing but respect for the fishing community they help represent. They are doing their best to approve as many waters as possible for stocking with regard to native species conservation, and in the end would ultimately like to see minimal damage on state fisheries from this lawsuit.
So, this isn't a time to panic and run for the hills. Chances are, the majority of the Eastern Sierra will still receive stocks. Until the remaining lakes are evaluated, however, it is time to up the ante of catch and release. Spread the word people! Keep what you'll eat if you keep'em and release the rest. No trebles, no bright red dehookers, and no dry towels with nylon nets! Its up to us as the fishing community to preserve these waters, because no one else will make the effort. Spread the word and be the teacher, not the spiteful critic. We have the chance to keep many unstocked waters fishable for the wild trout that inhabit the majority of Sierra waters, as long we hold ourselves to good standards. This is a precious resource, just like the water and electricity that keep our homes running. Please help conserve it while we still have the chance!
Recently, the DFG has been working overtime to get these evaluations finished, while be understaffed nonetheless. They have in large part cleared many of the state's lakes and streams for stocking. However, there seems to be some panic over the Eastern Sierras. Local shops like the Trout Fly in Mammoth and local government in Mono and Inyo counties have been trying their best to let people know whats happening regarding the evaluations. Here some things I hope you can keep in mind while regarding the evaluations.
- Certain species listed as "threatened" by stocked trout, for example the Willow Flycatcher, are migratory species. They won't be readily available for impact studies until after the ice off period of early summer. Moreover, many of the lakes above 7500' will be locked in with ice and snow for several more weeks this year, due to the above average amount of snowfall this year on the East Side. Due to this, it would reasonable to expect full evaluations will be completed when conditions permit.
-Bill AB7, passed in 2006, requires that 1/3rd of fishing license revenues go to inland fisheries and stocking programs, as opposed to the state general fund in which they perished before. This means the state has more fish to stock and less water at to do so with. In areas with high stocking rates for the relative area, this means more trout than usual in certain waters.
- AB7 also has a clause stating that 25% of the fish in the hatcheries need to be "native trout species". This is to allow the restocking of indigenous species. If the DFG cannot stock non-native fish like rainbows and brooks, perhaps more money will be spent on creating "native" fisheries. In the Eastern Sierras, this means Lahontan Cutts, Goldens, and several species of Redband Rainbow.
- The DFG has already begun work and trials with stocking sterile stockers. Sterile fish cannot spawn and thus cannot impact native fish species in the race for suitable spawning habitat. Where this is applicable, the results could be very good. Sterile trout grow faster, regain their natural colors quicker, and since they don't have to spend valuable time and energy preparing to spawn, often live a little longer than their fertile companions.
- Remember, the DFG wants to make this work. They weren't the decision makers in this process, the state was, and they are a state-run agency. They are simply following orders. In vast majority the rangers, biologists, and regional managers heading the DFG are fisherman themselves and they have nothing but respect for the fishing community they help represent. They are doing their best to approve as many waters as possible for stocking with regard to native species conservation, and in the end would ultimately like to see minimal damage on state fisheries from this lawsuit.
So, this isn't a time to panic and run for the hills. Chances are, the majority of the Eastern Sierra will still receive stocks. Until the remaining lakes are evaluated, however, it is time to up the ante of catch and release. Spread the word people! Keep what you'll eat if you keep'em and release the rest. No trebles, no bright red dehookers, and no dry towels with nylon nets! Its up to us as the fishing community to preserve these waters, because no one else will make the effort. Spread the word and be the teacher, not the spiteful critic. We have the chance to keep many unstocked waters fishable for the wild trout that inhabit the majority of Sierra waters, as long we hold ourselves to good standards. This is a precious resource, just like the water and electricity that keep our homes running. Please help conserve it while we still have the chance!