Round 1 in the Local park scene

This report is from 2 weeks ago, however round 2 is going to happen this week. Remember folks their is 2 different groups stocking your local ponds with trout! The first group is the famous DFG and the second group is the Orange County Regional park people. (they usually stock 2 weeks apart in my local ponds) Hence round 2 is coming up. In the first round I was going to hit one of the Orange County parks but their truck broke down and did no stocking that week. So I hit up one of the DFG lakes. The trout were small but sorta plentiful if you could get over the size of them. I watched the guy stock, 11 dip nets full of trout or about 200 fish. Luck was on my side and for some strange reason they also put in a load of catfish. You know what fish I went after don't you? Lol I ended up catching 15 catfish over several outings. (not bad and their were pretty good size)

I next hit up the Orange County fish and I hit the Jackpot! Their were mostly decent size and plentiful! The cool part was they hit everything! The first day they wanted Mini Jigs and moving lures like Kastmasters. The next day they hit everything! After that it was a pick on everything and a lot on the Mini Jigs again! I went 3 day's in a row and caught a limit plus on every trip! A limit plus is because I safely released the mini jig fish! I'm hoping to get something that good this week, but I'm not holding my breath! It can't be that good every time they stock. I'm just being realistic!

WOW! What lakes did you go to?

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Originally Posted by FISHISH

WOW! What lakes did you go to?

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La Mirada and Ralph B. Here is what was very predictable! I knew round 2 couldn't be as good as round 1! The trout truck when it got to Ralph B today to stock and guess what happened????? He forget at the last lake he stocked at, to turn back on the oxygen valve on the trout containers. So all the trout were "DEAD" when he got to Ralph B!!!!!

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Originally Posted by etucker1959

He forget at the last lake he stocked at, to turn back on the oxygen valve on the trout containers. So all the trout were "DEAD" when he got to Ralph B!!!!!

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You had ONE job.

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Originally Posted by etucker1959

La Mirada and Ralph B. Here is what was very predictable! I knew round 2 couldn't be as good as round 1! The trout truck when it got to Ralph B today to stock and guess what happened????? He forget at the last lake he stocked at, to turn back on the oxygen valve on the trout containers. So all the trout were "DEAD" when he got to Ralph B!!!!!

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So ALL trout going into Lakes after whatever he already stocked are dead? or do they restock the trout that were in the stocking truck.

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Originally Posted by FISHISH

So ALL trout going into Lakes after whatever he already stocked are dead? or do they restock the trout that were in the stocking truck.

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All the fish were "DEAD" at that point! So Hopefully it was the 5th lake (out of 5) to get stocked and not the 2nd!

do you know what 5 lakes got stocked?

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Originally Posted by FISHISH

do you know what 5 lakes got stocked?

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1. Irvine Lake
2. LNL
3. Carbon Canyon
4. Craig
5. Ralph B.

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Originally Posted by etucker1959

5. Ralph B.

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I thought the fish were dead when they got to Ralph B?

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Originally Posted by DarkShadow

I thought the fish were dead when they got to Ralph B?

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They were dead but stocked any way! Lol

this raises a question for me
i don't fish as much fresh water as i used to
simply do to the fact
for me catching or targeting stocked fish was never the same as catching wild stock

California was always weak for native game fishing diversity

so the ocean always was a more attractive alternate for me

not talking about offshore only but the surf or piers

any feelings on this

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Originally Posted by capoisok

this raises a question for me
i don't fish as much fresh water as i used to
simply do to the fact
for me catching or targeting stocked fish was never the same as catching wild stock

California was always weak for native game fishing diversity

so the ocean always was a more attractive alternate for me

not talking about offshore only but the surf or piers

any feelings on this

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I'll fish the stocker trout if I have an itch, and they stock either of the 3 parks that are within a 5 minute drive for me. But to actually chase stockers where I have to drive further than 5 minutes, it's not happening.

And, California doesn't really have too much funding to maintain any type of quality freshwater native species thriving, so it's pretty much up to the species to survive. You'll see a few programs here and there that 'assist' in habitat enrichment, but it's a drop in the bucket in comparison to the rapid depletion that is occuring in our fisheries.

I actually picked up a saltwater enhancement stamp this year, so i'll be venturing out into the salt it seems. Not really too keen on cattle boats, and I don't know anybody that i like that has a saltwater capable boat, so it'll be the surf, and jetties for me. Perhaps rent a boat at Newport for $200 :EyePop:. Plus, I don't really have any gear that is geared towards salt. I have an old AVET and use my Calcutta 400s if I ever do get out on a cattle boat.

not going to argue with you a crappy day of fishing is better than almost anything short of going to the race track

and easy and close can't be replaced as a motivating factor

plenty of good freshwater fishing in the state, though not even close to what it once was

but within a few hours from anywhere in socal you have a shot at catching a spawning world record largemouth in early spring

plenty of non planted trout options or that elusive #20 steelhead that i have never caught

epic whisker fishing numerous places between here and the river
secret spots, ponds irrigation canals lots

and all you need is a 30lb rig a coleman lantern and a beach chair




that 200 buys a lot of gas and grub especially if a couple of people split it up

but as i said
easy for me was 5 minute walk kneed deep in the surf

any pidally wild fish to me was always cooler than a 10lb cardboard trout
just my take

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Originally Posted by etucker1959

They were dead but stocked any way! Lol

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You saw them stock dead fish!!!???

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Originally Posted by FISHISH

You saw them stock dead fish!!!???

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Originally Posted by capoisok

this raises a question for me
i don't fish as much fresh water as i used to
simply do to the fact
for me catching or targeting stocked fish was never the same as catching wild stock

California was always weak for native game fishing diversity

so the ocean always was a more attractive alternate for me

not talking about offshore only but the surf or piers

any feelings on this

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aw man. I was getting pretty good with those stocker trout!

Many years ago on behalf of Trout Unlimited I filed a CEQA action against CDFW arguing that catchable-sized hatchery trout were biological time bombs in moving waters because of, at that time, whirling disease and the behavioral actions of fish raised in the confines a hatchery. We had 5 PhD’s in fishery biology as expert witnesses who explained the problems with hatcheries. The CDFW countered with the hatchery supervisors from the 5 inland districts.

1. In order to maximize the mass production of trout that grow quickly to 9” -11”, the rainbow trout raised CDFW are virtually biological clones. Once a virus or bacteria enter the system, it affects all of the fish because of their common genetics. The lack the genetic diversity means that, like this year, every disease is a pandemic.
2. There is a very low catch rate for trout planted in moving water and wild trout generally abandon areas planted with hatchery fish. The reason is that wild trout have developed a ritual for dominance that is disrupted by the chaotic, impulsive behavior of hatchery fish. Think Hell’s Angels meet a yoga class. We had a study done and when you amortize hatchery costs, the actual cost of caught fish in moving waters is more per pound than the supermarket.
3. CDFW has been faking planting numbers for decades. When CDFW still published planting numbers, every plant ended in three zeroes. For many years I owned a lakefront home on Silver Lake in the Eastern Sierra when CDFW claimed it was stocking 13,000 fish. The creel counts were never consistent with the amount of claimed planting. We discovered the reason is that the planting numbers were imaginary. The “fish counting” process at the hatcheries is to fill the tanker with water, weigh it, add the fish and weigh again. The planting number was derived from the additional weight divided by the average weight of the fish stock being planted. Only problem is that NONE of the truck scales were functioning so CDFW “guesstimated.” We were able to show this because the amount of hatchery food purchased was far less than would have been required to sustain the number of fish at the hatchery.
4. Hatcheries serve two purposes. CDFW uses them for promotional purposes and as an inducement to sell licenses. As far as the “biology” of hatcheries, hatcheries are operated primarily by electricians, plumbers and truck drivers. Back during my lawsuit, any biologists in Bishop who joined us in questioning the manner in which hatcheries were operated found themselves feeding catfish in the desert.

Hatcheries should be a valuable source of subcatchables for put and grow waters and to experiment with finding strains better adapted to the warmer water temperatures of the future.

Unfortunately the money that could have been invested in habitat enhancement in year round warm water fisheries, investments that return value year after year, has been poured down the rabbit hole of hatcheries.

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Originally Posted by Old Hooker

Unfortunately the money that could have been invested in habitat enhancement in year round warm water fisheries, investments that return value year after year, has been poured down the rabbit hole of hatcheries.

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I remember in the 90s when the bass fisherman LOVED the hatchery truck. They would chase it for other reasons, getting some pretty nice largies and stripers to go on the big baits. With the inconsistent and non existent stocks, that game is out the window. Look at Casitas for example.

I definitely see the need for hatcheries, though. I know there have been strains of native fish that were on the brink if not for the assist lent by hatcheries, such as the historical Mt. Whitney hatchery. I think that is the reason why they were first created, to assist with the stocks of native fish. But it has gone away from that, but it seems the stocking of hatchery fish does bring anglers in, as is apparent in a lot of the posts on this message board, and is a great way to get younger anglers into the sport.

But I agree. Spending the resources to feed the cormorants is probably not a good investment of public funding. But, what would be a viable solution? Stocking different fish that are easier to raise and do not have the environmental necessities as the trout? Spending the money to enhance our current fishery? I think the problem is that officials treat our lakes as big water coolers, instead of a recreational possibility, so fisherman are usually last on the list when it comes to appeasing people. Look at Lake Mathews.

After heading down the rabbit hole of fly fishing, I've learned to appreciate the pristine nature of wild fish, especially native fish, and continue to pursue them season after season.

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Originally Posted by FISHISH

You saw them stock dead fish!!!???

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Dead fish, oxygen depleted fish at Irvine Lake! The hatchery guy felt so bad about it, some lakes this coming week are getting an "double stocking!"

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Originally Posted by etucker1959

Dead fish, oxygen depleted fish at Irvine Lake!

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So wait, was it Ralph B that got the dead fish?

Or Irvine?

Cmon, eTucker, ur confusing us.

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Originally Posted by DarkShadow

So wait, was it Ralph B that got the dead fish?

Or Irvine?

Cmon, eTucker, ur confusing us.

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Ralph B fish were DOA!

Irvine Lake fish were either sickly or about dead! They didn't bite on Friday worth a darn, which is highly unusual for them!

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Originally Posted by etucker1959

Ralph B fish were DOA!

Irvine Lake fish were either sickly or about dead! They didn't bite on Friday worth a darn, which is highly unusual for them!

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round 3 better be better

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Originally Posted by FISHISH

round 3 better be better

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I'll give a Full report at the end of the week!

How about the catfish report? been wait for months lol!

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Originally Posted by etucker1959

Irvine Lake fish were either sickly or about dead! They didn't bite on Friday worth a darn, which is highly unusual for them!

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Now excuse my further confusion, but are you saying that the same truck that dumped dead fish in at Ralph B then made a stop at Irvine to dump off more dead fish from his truck?

Or is there no correlation, except both lakes received stocks of dead fish?

Inquiring minds want to know.

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Originally Posted by DarkShadow

Now excuse my further confusion, but are you saying that the same truck that dumped dead fish in at Ralph B then made a stop at Irvine to dump off more dead fish from his truck?

Or is there no correlation, except both lakes received stocks of dead fish?

Inquiring minds want to know.

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The Orange County Regional parks contracted a trout supplier from Idaho named Wright's fish hatchery. (this includes Irvine lake) So the trout truck comes from Idaho with all the lakes trout that are going to be stocked that week in 1 load. That week their was 5 lakes to be stocked. (which I already named) In stocking the lakes the operator screwed up with his oxygen tanks. Some lakes got a good stocking of healthy fish, some got a stocking of weak fish and Ralph B got Dead fish! I hope that makes it a little clearer.

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Originally Posted by etucker1959

The Orange County Regional parks contracted a trout supplier from Idaho named Wright's fish hatchery. (this includes Irvine lake) So the trout truck comes from Idaho with all the lakes trout that are going to be stocked that week in 1 load. That week their was 5 lakes to be stocked. (which I already named) In stocking the lakes the operator screwed up with his oxygen tanks. Some lakes got a good stocking of healthy fish, some got a stocking of weak fish and Ralph B got Dead fish! I hope that makes it a little clearer.

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Ahh, I keep forgetting Irvine isn't 'private' anymore and now gets the same stocks that the cement ponds do.

Was the water draw down intentional? Or was it the lack of rain that we've been getting the cause for such low water? It's too bad it sounds like I'll be walking through quick sand in order to fish a mud hole or else I'd love to go back. Had some pretty good bass fishing there decades ago, but that's when the lake actually had water.

anybody try driving over into the model plane area and walking around to the east side
they were always cool about using their lot
then it should be flat marching to the east shore
especially now that it's free fishing
it should be a easy go, more like a hike than the death march

check it out and see if it's still happening

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Originally Posted by capoisok

anybody try driving over into the model plane area and walking around to the east side
they were always cool about using their lot
then it should be flat marching to the east shore
especially now that it's free fishing
it should be a easy go, more like a hike than the death march

check it out and see if it's still happening

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The problem is now they have boundary's. The East shore stops at the weird concrete on the Bluff and most of the North shore towards the Red Cliffs on the Eastern section is out of boundary's. Hence the weird route you must take to find that tiny sliver of a spot that is Legal to fish!

looks like there is nothing to stop you from going into oak canyon and walking over to the shore
not even fenced in google sat photo's or county top maps

last time i knew for sure was last october
nighttime float tubers told me it was a nighttime stealth operation entrance , no gates or fences

just lots of big bass and cat's to catch then to photo and release

used to be poacher catch and release tourneys

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Originally Posted by capoisok

looks like there is nothing to stop you from going into oak canyon and walking over to the shore
not even fenced in google sat photo's or county top maps

last time i knew for sure was last october
nighttime float tubers told me it was a nighttime stealth operation entrance , no gates or fences

just lots of big bass and cat's to catch then to photo and release

used to be poacher catch and release tourneys

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Their is no physical barriers at all! Just the "Man" with his patrols! I was fishing right against the boundary rope on Sunday, when a 4 Bass crew came over and crossed the rope to fish! The "Man" was on them in 8 minutes! Lol

heard from friends

not too hard to do and there is no nighttime patrols

and coming in from the south no signs saying anything

if it gets dicey remember your dealing with a county park ranger ,not a water district or irvine ranch cop

just say you didn't know

your not trespassing as there are hiking trails

YOUR LOST and sorry