The area above the lake is closed due to the Arroyo southwestern toad. Also trout have been kiiled in order to save the Mountain yellow-legged frog. I am not sure the exact area of the fish kill or of the closures..sorry. Hopefully a call to the telephone number listed can get you up to date info.

Article on DFG killing trout in Littlerock Creek
http://search.ca.gov/search?q=cache:...td&client=xfix

The creek used to be regularly stocked, but hasn't been since the late 90's. However the area further up has had great fishing for rainbows and brown trout. Although it has been years since I have been up there, unless the drought or the DFG wiped them out there still should be some good fishing. Of course we now have summer water conditions and it is hot..as well as snakes...but if you are in great shape, go for it.

Another good way to access the headwaters is off Angeles Crest Hwy. I don't know of anyone who has gone all the way Angeles Crest HWY to the lake, as the trail ends, but I guess it could be done by rock hopping the creek. Fishing was very good in this area..again water conditions permitting.

LITTLEROCK CREEK CLOSURE

701 N. Santa Anita Avenue Arcadia, CA 91006-2725
626-574-1613 Voice 626-574-5209Text (TTY)

File Code: 2670

Date: January 22, 1999

Dear Concerned Citizen:

For the past three years the Angeles National Forest has closed portions of Little Rock Creek from spring until the end of September in an effort to protect the habitat for known populations of the endangered Arroyo Southwestern Toad and other aquatic species. This closure was a result of species protection measures, including a Biological Assessment and formal consultation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

A 1998 assessment of the effectiveness of the closure concluded that actions to date have not provided adequate protection for the habitat and existing populations of the Arroyo Toad, and the risk for harming one of these endangered creatures is high. The killing of a single toad is a violation of the Endangered Species Act, under which forest managers are held personally responsible. Despite the clearly posted closure, forest visitors continued to enter the closure areas. In a single week during the breeding season, forest officers issued nearly 200 citations.

Effective immediately, as a result of this assessment, the existing seasonal closure will be expanded, closing approximately 3000 acres to all use, year-round, until February of 2003, or until further notice. The expanded boundaries will protect those areas where known populations of Arroyo Toad exist, or are highly likely to exist. Gates on roads leading to the affected area will be locked to prohibit vehicle access in an enforceable manner. The closure extends from Joshua Tree Campground in Little Rock Recreation Area to the north, to Sulphur Springs Campground to the south, east along Alimony Ridge, and west to a point just above the Desert Marksman permit area, east of Kentucky Shooting Area. This effort will close Basin Campground, and the Santiago Canyon and Alimony Ridge off-highway vehicle routes.

This spring and summer the forest will conduct additional surveys and monitoring efforts to determine the precise location of Toad populations, as well as other listed species, within the closed area. In order to obtain accurate information, the surveys must be repeated over several seasons.

For further information on this closure, please contact Mike Wickman, District Ranger Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers Ranger District at 661/296-9710, or Bill Brown, Forest Biologist at 626/574-1613.

Sincerely,


/s/Michael J. Rogers

MICHAEL J. ROGERS, Forest Supervisor


cc: Richard Flynn, OCG