DOCSLIB.ORG

The Native Trout Waters of California Details Six of the State’S Most Scenic, Diverse, and Significant Native Trout Fisheries

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Native Trout Waters of California Details Six of the State’S Most Scenic, Diverse, and Significant Native Trout Fisheries NATIVE TROUT WATERS OF CALIFORNIA Michael Carl The Ecological Angler www.ecoangler.com TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUTION – THE ORIGINAL SIX 4 ABOUT THE BOOK 4 CLAVEY RIVER 5 BACKGROUND 6 TROUT POPULATION DATA 6 STREAM POPULATIONS, REGULATIONS, AND ACCESS 7 DIRECTIONS TO REACH SEGMENT 3 AND 4 (E.G., BRIDGE CROSSING CLAVEY RIVER): 7 AREA MAP 8 CLAVEY RIVER FLOW STATISTICS 9 FISHING TECHNIQUES 9 EAGLE LAKE 10 BACKGROUND 11 BIG TROUT FOOD – TUI CHUBS 11 REGULATIONS AND ACCESS 11 DIRECTIONS TO EAGLE LAKE FROM RED BLUFF, CALIFORNIA: 11 AREA MAP 12 PRODUCTIVE TIMES AND ZONES TO FISH 13 FISHING TECHNIQUES 13 SPALDING TRACT – TOPO MAP 14 PIKES POINT – TOPO MAP 15 GOLDEN TROUT CREEK 16 OVERVIEW OF THE WATERSHED 17 ABUNDANCE OF CALIFORNIA GOLDEN TROUT 17 CALIFORNIA GOLDEN TROUT GENETIC DATA 17 STREAM POPULATIONS, REGULATIONS, AND ACCESS 18 DIRECTIONS TO COTTONWOOD PASS TRAILHEAD 18 AREA MAP 19 PHOTO JOURNAL – COTTONWOOD PASS TO TUNNEL MEADOW 20 FISHING TECHNIQUES 23 HEENAN LAKE 24 BACKGROUND 25 FLY ANGLER STATISTICS – 2007 SEASON (8/3/07 TO 10/28/07) 26 REGULATIONS AND ACCESS 27 AREA MAP 27 DIRECTIONS 27 PRODUCTIVE ZONES TO FISH 28 FISHING TECHNIQUES 28 UPPER KERN RIVER 29 BACKGROUND 30 KERN RIVER RAINBOWS 30 DISTRIBUTION OF KERN RIVER RAINBOWS 30 STREAM POPULATIONS, REGULATIONS AND ACCESS 31 MAP – LLOYD MEADOW ROAD TO FORKS OF THE KERN 32 SPOTLIGHT – FORKS OF THE KERN 33 DIRECTIONS AND TRAIL DESCRIPTION 33 RECOMMENDED FISHING GEAR 33 UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER 35 OVERVIEW OF THE WATERSHED 36 ABUNDANCE AND SIZE OF LAHONTAN CUTTHROAT 37 STREAM POPULATIONS, REGULATIONS, ACCESS & DISTANCE 37 DIRECTIONS TO REACH TRAILHEAD: 38 AREA MAP 39 TRAIL DESCRIPTION 40 FISHING TECHNIQUES 40 Introduction – The Original Six The Native Trout Waters of California details six of the state’s most scenic, diverse, and significant native trout fisheries. In fact, the California Fish and Game Commission designated these same six as California Heritage Trout waters on April 5, 1999. The Original Six, as I refer to them, are: Clavey River Eagle Lake Golden Trout Creek Heenan Lake Upper Kern River Upper Truckee River The key ingredient to the state’s designation and my motivation for writing this book is of course the unique species of trout residing in each of the above places. Each of these lakes or streams hold only indigenous strains of native trout. The various native trout are: Coastal rainbow trout (Clavey River) Eagle Lake rainbow trout (Eagle Lake) California golden trout (Golden Trout Creek) Lahontan cutthroat trout (Heenan Lake & Upper Truckee River) Kern River rainbow trout (Upper Kern River) California is home to 11 unique kinds of native trout, and you’ll find descriptions for five of these native trout in the pages that follow. Whether your goal is completing the California Heritage Trout Challenge, or just finding some of the Sierra Nevada’s most scenic stretches of water to wet a line, The Native Trout Waters of California will help you reach your goal. About the Book The book’s chapters describe each of the six waters listed above. Each chapter includes: Background – an overview of the watershed and its significance Description of Native Trout Stream Population Regulations Access Area Map Directions and Trail Description Fishing Techniques Some chapters contain extra material including - Angling Statistics and a Photographic Journal. CLAVEY RIVER “The Clavey River may be the only ‘rainbow trout’ river left, in the Sierra Nevada, with its original fish assemblage still intact and relatively unaffected by introduced species.” -- Clavey River: Wild and Scenic River Value Review (December 1997) Background The Clavey River represents one of the first streams in California to be designated as a Wild Trout Stream by California’s Department of Fish and Game in 1972. By definition, wild trout streams are purely self-sustaining trout fisheries and are not supplemented by stocking of hatchery fish. Evidence supports that nearly the entire Clavey River basin contains only native rainbows. These native rainbows inhabit the length of the Clavey and its tributaries which are capable of supporting cold water fish. Besides forward looking fisheries management on this river, the complete lack of dams and diversions has been a key factor in maintaining the native fish assemblage. Trout Population Data Rainbow trout population sampling data is broken up over the following segments of the Wild and Scenic stretch as: Segment 3 - Clavey River from Bell & Lily Creek to Road 3N01 ( 5 mi.) Segment 4 - Clavey River from Road 3N01 to Cottonwood Road ( 8 mi. ) Segment 5 - Clavey River from Cottonwood Road to Tuolumne River (16 mi.) Surveys found only rainbow trout in the upstream Segments 3 and 4. Expanded population estimates have ranged from about 2,000 to over 5,000 trout per mile. The samples from these areas have been comprised of mostly smaller trout. Rainbow trout over six inches in length are usually about 10 to 15 percent of the total captured. The habitats sampled in the index stations are largely shallow riffle, run, and boulder-pocket water. Deep pools have not been evaluated in this sampling. It is likely that larger trout are concentrated in the deeper habitats found in the more remote, lower and middle parts of the river (Segments 4 – 5). The population data is presented in detail below along with fishing regulations and access points. Stream Populations, Regulations, and Access Stream Segment Trout per Mile Trout per Mile Fishing Access Larger than Regulations 150mm Segment 3 2177 428 last Saturday in Forest Service April to mid- Road 3N01 to November Clavey River Bridge. (Note: road access subject to winter closure.) Segment 4 4327 524 last Saturday in Forest Service April to mid- Road 3N01 to November Clavey River Bridge. (Note: road access subject to winter closure.) Segment 5 1512 283 last Saturday in Cottonwood Road April to mid- to Clavey River. November Directions to reach Segment 3 and 4 (e.g., bridge crossing Clavey River): 1. From Mi-Wuk, California, take State Route 108 east 3.6 miles to Long Barn and follow 108 Business signs. 2. Turn right after signs onto Long Barn Rd and go 1.2 miles to Merrill Springs Rd. 3. Turn right, onto Merrill Springs Rd (Forest Route 31 or Road 3N01) 4. For overnight stays consider camping at Hull Creek Campground. From Long Barn Rd go 10 miles to campground on left. (Note: The campground stretches along the seasonal Hull Creek through Douglas fir and other conifers. The campground is crisscrossed by ATV tracks giving evidence of this campground's OHV/ATV popularity.) 5. Otherwise proceed past Hull Creek Campground for several more miles until you reach the bridge crossing the Clavey. Area Map Clavey River Flow Statistics Statistics of monthly flow discharge (CFS) for water years 1987 to 1994 on the Clavey River near Long Barn, California. Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Mean 7.47 9.20 12.1 30.9 42.7 158 243 201 71.9 15.9 1.92 1.53 Max 44.9 21.8 25.7 133 93 331 392 414 216 61.0 5.50 7.70 Year 1990 1990 1988 1993 1993 1989 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1989 Min 0.11 1.04 1.47 2.68 4.95 67.7 151 97.4 15.0 2.12 0.30 0.11 Year 1989 1991 1987 1991 1991 1987 1988 1992 1992 1987 1987 1988 Based on historic flows over this period, the optimal time to fish the Clavey River would be mid-June through July. The critical factors in this recommendation are (1) access to the river, and (2) water temperatures. The upper Clavey at flows below 100 cfs will permit the angler the greatest access since the watershed is difficult to fish without the ability to wade and cross the river at multiple points. If the flows are up, then your wading access along the river might be limited. The Clavey should be fishable even at higher flows, but you will need to carefully pick your spots and use caution when wading. The other factor to consider is water temp. As flows drop in July, the water temp will begin to climb throughout the summer. Temperatures near or above 70 degrees will put stress on this fishery. Fishing Techniques Catching these native rainbows is not difficult. Keep your gear simple and light and your approach low and quiet. As wild fish, these rainbows will spook and look for cover if they hear or see you. Look for pools, behind structure and tail-outs feeding into deeper water. Gear requirements: 3 to 4 wt. rod. 9 ft. leader in the 5X to 6X range. Dry flies such as a size 18 Griffin’s Gnat, size 16 elk hair caddis or a size 12 stimulator. All must be barbless. Keep the casting to a minimum and be sure to get a drag-free drift and you’ll be rewarded with a lightening quick grab. EAGLE LAKE Background Eagle Lake is located in northeastern California about 16 miles north of Susanville in Lassen County. Eagle Lake is the only large natural lake in California that contains solely native fish species. Eagle is also the second largest freshwater lake completely within California. Eagle has an above average level of alkaline (pH 8.4 – 9.6) which the Eagle Lake rainbow are uniquely adapted to live in. Currently, Eagle Lake rainbow populations are completely supported by hatchery plantings. Spawning adults are trapped as they swim up Pine Creek. The hatchery operation is required because of the degraded flows and spawning habitat within Pine Creek. The operation began in 1950 with 2,000 eggs raised and hatched from a single adult fish.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • California Golden Trout Chances for Survival: Poor 2 Oncorhynchus Mykiss Aguabonita
    California Golden Trout chances for survival: poor 2 Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita alifornia golden trout, the official state fish, is one of three species disTriBuTion: California golden trout are endemic to imple mented. major efforts have been made to create refugia 1 2 3 4 5 TROUT south Fork Kern river and to Golden trout Creek. they for golden trout in the upper reaches of the south Fork Kern of brilliantly colored trout native to the upper Kern river basin; the have been introduced into many other lakes and creeks in river by constructing barriers and then applying the poison others are the little Kern golden trout and Kern river rainbow trout. and outside of California, including the Cottonwood lakes rotenone to kill all unwanted fish above barriers. Despite California Golden Trout Were not far from the headwaters of Golden trout Creek and into these and other efforts, most populations of California golden Historically Present in South Fork Kern C Basin, Part Of The Upper Kern River California golden trout evolved in streams of the southern sierra Nevada the headwaters of south Fork Kern river, such as mulkey trout are hybridized and are under continual threat from Basin Shown Here Creek. the Cottonwood lakes have been a source of golden brown trout invasions. management actions are needed to mountains, at elevations above 7,500 feet. the Kern plateau is broad and flat, trout eggs for stocking other waters and are still used for address threats to California golden trout which include with wide meadows and meandering streams. the streams are small, shallow, stocking lakes in Fresno and tulare Counties.
    [Show full text]
  • Sport-Fish-Identification.Pdf
    Walleye Walleye have two distinct fins on their back, the first with large spines. Lake Sturgeon They have a yellow-olive back, brassy, silvery sides with yellow spots, a white underside, and white on the lower lobe of the tail. Dusky vertical Lake Sturgeon are a Threatened Species due to population size and bars are often found on the body as well. concerns with viability. Lake Sturgeon have a large brown or grey body covered with tough, leather- like tissue and five rows of bony plates. They have a shark-like, upturned tail and a pointed snout with four barbels. Sauger Lake Whitefish are olive-green to blue on the back, with silvery sides.They Sauger are a Threatened Species due to hybridization, habitat Lakehave a small Whitefish mouth below a rounded snout, and a deeply forked tail. degradation and overharvest. Sauger are golden olive on the back with silver-yellow sides and a white underside. They also have a large spiny dorsal fin, distinct rows of spots on the dorsal fins and three or four dusky vertical bars on the body. Mountain Whitefish have large scales, no spots and small mouths with no Burbot Mountainteeth. Their general Whitefish body colour is a bronze-white or greenish white. Burbot have a slim, brownish black body with smooth skin, a flattened head, and a fin that stretches along the back half of the body. Distinctive barbels hang from the lower jaw and nostrils. Goldeye Northern Pike Goldeye have prominent eyes with bright yellow pupils, a blunt head, and Northern Pike are a long, slender fish with duck-like jaws and a long, flat a deep, compressed body.
    [Show full text]
  • Jordan Toll Trail by William F
    Jordan Toll Trail By William F. (Bill) Jordan In the year of 1860, there was a lot of verbal and political activity about the matter of building roads across the Sierra Mountains. In April, 1860, the Tulare County Supervisors appointed a committee to view a road and pack trail from Visalia to Mono. On January 30, 1860, the Visalia Delta announced that a company had been formed and application was made to the legislature to build a toll road from Visalia to Owens Lake. S. G. George, H. L. Mathews. S. Sweet, Henry Bostwick, John Jordan, and W. F. Jordan. About or before that time, the large Coso Silver and Gold Mines opened up. They were located southeast of Owens Lake up in the Coso Range of mountains, east of Owens Valley. The mines are what attracted all of this excitement. While all this talk and legislative action was going on, John Jordan and his son, William F. Jordan, were apparently going ahead with a toll trail project under the authority given by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. The Jordan petition is on file at the Tulare County Courthouse and reads as follows: Saturday, March 30, 1861. whereas, the Board of Supervisors of Tulare County have this day passed a resolution instructing our Senator and Representative in the Legislature of the State of California, authorizing said County of Tulare to levy an additional road tax of 10 cents on each $100.00 worth of taxable property in said County. Now, therefore, if the Legislature shall pass the Act aforesaid, it is, by this Board ordered that all the taxes arising from the aforesaid special Act for one year, shall be applied to building and constructing a certain wagon road leading from San Luis Obispo County to Coso by the way of Visalia.
    [Show full text]
  • Restoration of the California Golden Trout in the South Fork Kern River, Kern Plateau, Tulare County, California, 1966-2004, with Reference to Golden Trout Creek
    State of California The Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME RESTORATION OF THE CALIFORNIA GOLDEN TROUT IN THE SOUTH FORK KERN RIVER, KERN PLATEAU, TULARE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, 1966-2004, WITH REFERENCE TO GOLDEN TROUT CREEK By E. P. (Phil) Pister, Inland Deserts Region, Retired CALIFORNIA GOLDEN TROUT Central Region Administrative Report No. 2008-1 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... 1 BACKGROUND.............................................................................................................. 2 The Beginning..................................................................................................... 2 EARLY WARNINGS ....................................................................................................... 5 THE PLAN ...................................................................................................................... 6 WATERSHED RESTORATION ...................................................................................... 8 THE FIRST FISH BARRIER AND EARLY BROWN TROUT CONTROL....................... 8 1976 – THE MAJOR PROJECT BEGINS..................................................................... 10 TEMPLETON AND SCHAEFFER BARRIERS............................................................. 12 1977 -1979 – HOLDING THE LINE .............................................................................. 16 1980 -1983 – MAJOR CHEMICAL TREATMENTS AND BEGINNING
    [Show full text]
  • Page 78 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 45A–1 Kaweah River and The
    § 45a–1 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION Page 78 Kaweah River and the headwaters of that branch Fork Kaweah River to its junction with Cactus of Little Kern River known as Pecks Canyon; Creek; thence easterly along the first hydro- thence southerly and easterly along the crest of graphic divide south of Cactus Creek to its the hydrographic divide between Pecks Canyon intersection with the present west boundary of and Soda Creek to its intersection with a lateral Sequoia National Park, being the west line of divide at approximately the east line of section township 16 south, range 29 east; thence south- 2, township 19 south, range 31 east; thence erly along said west boundary to the southwest northeasterly along said lateral divide to its corner of said township; thence easterly along intersection with the township line near the the present boundary of Sequoia National Park, southeast corner of township 18 south, range 31 being the north line of township 17 south, range east of the Mount Diablo base and meridian; 29 east, to the northeast corner of said township; thence north approximately thirty-five degrees thence southerly along the present boundary of west to the summit of the butte next north of Sequoia National Park, being the west lines of Soda Creek (United States Geological Survey al- townships 17 and 18 south, range 30 east, to the titude eight thousand eight hundred and eighty- place of beginning; and all of those lands lying eight feet); thence northerly and northwesterly within the boundary line above described are in- along the crest of the hydrographic divide to a cluded in and made a part of the Roosevelt-Se- junction with the crest of the main hydro- quoia National Park; and all of those lands ex- graphic divide between the headwaters of the cluded from the present Sequoia National Park South Fork of the Kaweah River and the head- are included in and made a part of the Sequoia waters of Little Kern River; thence northerly National Forest, subject to all laws and regula- along said divide now between Horse and Cow tions applicable to the national forests.
    [Show full text]
  • The Native Trouts of the Genus Salmo of Western North America
    CItiEt'SW XHPYTD: RSOTLAITYWUAS 4 Monograph of ha, TEMPI, AZ The Native Trouts of the Genus Salmo Of Western North America Robert J. Behnke "9! August 1979 z 141, ' 4,W \ " • ,1■\t 1,es. • . • • This_report was funded by USDA, Forest Service Fish and Wildlife Service , Bureau of Land Management FORE WARD This monograph was prepared by Dr. Robert J. Behnke under contract funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service. Region 2 of the Forest Service was assigned the lead in coordinating this effort for the Forest Service. Each agency assumed the responsibility for reproducing and distributing the monograph according to their needs. Appreciation is extended to the Bureau of Land Management, Denver Service Center, for assistance in publication. Mr. Richard Moore, Region 2, served as Forest Service Coordinator. Inquiries about this publication should be directed to the Regional Forester, 11177 West 8th Avenue, P.O. Box 25127, Lakewood, Colorado 80225. Rocky Mountain Region September, 1980 Inquiries about this publication should be directed to the Regional Forester, 11177 West 8th Avenue, P.O. Box 25127, Lakewood, Colorado 80225. it TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Preface ..................................................................................................................................................................... Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Biology and Management of Threatened and Endangered Western Trouts
    Biology and Management of Threatened and Endangered Western Trouts August 1976 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RM-28 Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station Forest Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 Abstract Behnke, R. J., and Mark Zarn. 1976. Biology and management of threatened and endangered western trouts. USDA For. Sew. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-28, 45 p. Rocky Mt. For. and Range Exp. Stn., Fort Collins, Colo. Discusses taxonomy, reasons for decline, life history and ecology, and sug- gestions for preservation and management of six closely related trouts native to western North America: Colorado River cutthroat, Salmo clarki pleuriticus; green- back trout, S. c. stomias; Lahontan cutthroat, S. c. henshawi; Paiute trout, S. c. seleniris; Gila trout, S. gilae; and Arizona native trout, S. apache. Meristic characters, distribution and status, habitat requirements and limiting factors, protective measures, and management recommendations are presented for each taxon. Keywords: Native trout, Salrno clarki pleuriticus. Sali?zo ckurki stoi~zius. Sulnzo clarki herzshawi, Salmo clarki seleniris, Salrno gilue. Sulrno uprrchc. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RM-28 August 1976 Biology and Management of Threatened and Endangered Western Trouts R. J. Behnke Colorado State University Mark Zarn Conservation Library Denver Public Library Information reported here was prepared under contract by the Conservation Library of the Denver Public Library, through the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. The report is printed as prepared by the authors; opinions are not necessarily those of the U.S. Forest Service. TABLE OF CONTENTS I . GJ3NERAL MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR RAE3 AND ENDANGJIRED WESTERN TROUTS Introduction ..........................
    [Show full text]
  • Fish Stocking Plan
    Draft Application for a New License Major Project – Existing Dam New Bullards Bar Reservoir Fish Stocking Plan Security Level: Public Yuba River Development Project FERC Project No. 2246 Draft – December 2013 ©2013, Yuba County Water Agency All Rights Reserved Yuba County Water Agency Yuba River Development Project FERC Project No. 2246 Table of Contents Section No. Description Page No. Glossary – Definitions of Terms, Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................... GLO-1 1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1.1 Yuba River Development Project ............................................................ 1-1 1.2 Purpose of the New Bullards Bar Reservoir Fish Stocking Plan ......................... 1-5 1.3 Objectives of the New Bullards Bar Reservoir Fish Stocking Plan..................... 1-5 1.4 Contents of the New Bullards Bar Reservoir Fish Stocking Plan ....................... 1-5 2.0 Regulatory Framework, Fish Assemblage, and Stocking History ................................... 2-1 2.1 Regulatory Framework for Fish Stocking in New Bullards Bar Reservoir ......... 2-1 2.1.1 Forest Service and Cal Fish and Wildlife – Memorandum of Understanding .......................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.2 California Fish and Wildlife Code ..........................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Long-Term Captive Breeding Does Not Necessarily Prevent Reestablishment: Lessons Learned from Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout
    Rev Fish Biol Fisheries DOI 10.1007/s11160-011-9230-x RESEARCH PAPER Long-term captive breeding does not necessarily prevent reestablishment: lessons learned from Eagle Lake rainbow trout Gerard Carmona-Catot • Peter B. Moyle • Rachel E. Simmons Received: 7 March 2011 / Accepted: 18 July 2011 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011 Abstract Captive breeding of animals is often cited recovering as habitat. With the exception of an as an important tool in conservation, especially for abundant alien brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) fishes, but there are few reports of long-term population in Pine Creek, the habitat factors that led (\50 years) success of captive breeding programs, to the presumed near-extinction of Eagle Lake rainbow even in salmonid fishes. Here we describe the captive trout in the early twentieth century have been amelio- breeding program for Eagle Lake rainbow trout, rated, although the final stages of reestablishment Oncorhynchus mykiss aquilarum, which is endemic (eradication of brook trout, unequivocal demonstration to the Eagle Lake watershed of northeastern Califor- of successful spawning migration) have still not been nia. The population in Eagle Lake has been dependent completed. The Eagle Lake rainbow trout story shows on captive breeding for more than 60 years and that long-term captive breeding of migratory salmonid supports a trophy fishery in the lake. Nevertheless, fishes does not necessarily prevent reestablishment of the basic life history, ecological, and genetic traits of wild populations, provided effort is made to counter the subspecies still seem to be mostly intact. Although the effects of hatchery selection and that natural management has apparently minimized negative habitats are restored for reintroduction.
    [Show full text]
  • Mountain Lakes Guide: Absaroka, Beartooth & Crazies
    2021 MOUNTAIN LAKES GUIDE Silver Lake ABSAROKA - BEARTOOTH & CRAZY MOUNTAINS Fellow Angler: This booklet is intended to pass on information collected over many years about the fishery of the Absaroka-Beartooth high country lakes. Since Pat Marcuson began surveying these lakes in 1967, many individuals have hefted a heavy pack and worked the high country for Fish, Wildlife and Parks. They have brought back the raw data and personal observations necessary to formulate management schemes for the 300+ lakes in this area containing fish. While the information presented here is not intended as a guide for hiking/camping or fishing techniques, it should help wilderness users to better plan their trips according to individual preferences and abilities. Fish species present in the Absaroka-Beartooth lakes include Yellowstone cutthroat trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, golden trout, arctic grayling, and variations of cutthroat/rainbow/golden trout hybrids. These lake fisheries generally fall into two categories: self-sustaining and stocked. Self-sustaining lakes have enough spawning habitat to allow fish to restock themselves year after year. These often contain so many fish that while fishing can be fast, the average fish size will be small. The average size and number of fish present change very little from year to year in most of these lakes. Lakes without spawning potential must be planted regularly to sustain a fishery. Standard stocking in the Beartooths is 50-100 Yellowstone cutthroat trout fingerlings per acre every eight years. Special situations may call for different species, numbers, or frequency of plants. For instance, lakes with heavy fishing pressure tend to be stocked more often and at higher densities.
    [Show full text]
  • Montana Fishing Regulations
    MONTANA FISHING REGULATIONS 20March 1, 2018 — F1ebruary 828, 2019 Fly fishing the Missouri River. Photo by Jason Savage For details on how to use these regulations, see page 2 fwp.mt.gov/fishing With your help, we can reduce poaching. MAKE THE CALL: 1-800-TIP-MONT FISH IDENTIFICATION KEY If you don’t know, let it go! CUTTHROAT TROUT are frequently mistaken for Rainbow Trout (see pictures below): 1. Turn the fish over and look under the jaw. Does it have a red or orange stripe? If yes—the fish is a Cutthroat Trout. Carefully release all Cutthroat Trout that cannot be legally harvested (see page 10, releasing fish). BULL TROUT are frequently mistaken for Brook Trout, Lake Trout or Brown Trout (see below): 1. Look for white edges on the front of the lower fins. If yes—it may be a Bull Trout. 2. Check the shape of the tail. Bull Trout have only a slightly forked tail compared to the lake trout’s deeply forked tail. 3. Is the dorsal (top) fin a clear olive color with no black spots or dark wavy lines? If yes—the fish is a Bull Trout. Carefully release Bull Trout (see page 10, releasing fish). MONTANA LAW REQUIRES: n All Bull Trout must be released immediately in Montana unless authorized. See Western District regulations. n Cutthroat Trout must be released immediately in many Montana waters. Check the district standard regulations and exceptions to know where you can harvest Cutthroat Trout. NATIVE FISH Westslope Cutthroat Trout Species of Concern small irregularly shaped black spots, sparse on belly Average Size: 6”–12” cutthroat slash— spots
    [Show full text]
  • 1 EAGLE LAKE RAINBOW TROUT Oncorhynchus Mykiss Aquilarum
    EAGLE LAKE RAINBOW TROUT Oncorhynchus mykiss aquilarum (Snyder) Status: High Concern. The Eagle Lake rainbow trout (ELRT) does not exist as a self-sustaining wild population because of dependence on hatchery propagation. Habitat degradation and the presence of alien brook trout in Pine Creek, the ELRT’s principal spawning grounds, along with continued reliance on hatchery production to maintain the ELRT population will make it increasingly difficult to re-establish a wild population. Description: This subspecies is similar to other rainbow trout in gross morphology (see Moyle 2002), but differs slightly in meristic counts, especially in having finer scales than coastal rainbow trout. It is also distinctive in possessing 58 chromosomes, rather than the 60 typical of other rainbow trout (Busack et al. 1980). Taxonomic Relationships: Snyder (1917) described this trout as a subspecies of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri aquilarum. However, Hubbs and Miller (1948) examined Snyder's specimens and concluded that ELRT were derived from hybridization between native Lahontan cutthroat trout (presumed to have occupied Eagle Lake prehistorically) and introduced rainbow trout. Miller (1950) later retracted the hybridization theory. Needham and Gard (1959) then suggested that ELRT were descended from introduced or immigrant rainbow trout from the Feather or Pit River drainages. Behnke (1965, 1972) proposed a redband-rainbow hybrid origin, although redband trout are now considered to be rainbow trout subspecies. Busack et al. (1980), in an extensive electrophoretic, karyotypic and meristic analysis, suggested that ELRT were derived either from immigration or an unrecorded introduction of a rainbow trout with 58 chromosomes. The distinctive morphology, ecology, and physiology of this form all point to ELRT being derived from natural colonization from the Sacramento River drainage.
    [Show full text]