The general trout opener in many counties throughout the state will begin April 24, one hour before sunrise.
In Inyo and Mono counties, all waters are open to fishing on this date, according to Bill Cox, Department of Fish & Game (DFG) hatchery program manager..
"We have planted more than 56,000 pounds of trout for the opener and expect to plant about as many trout as usual by July," Cox added in a recent statement.
DFG is making every effort to stock trout in all accessible waters approved for planting prior to the season opener. However, lingering wintery conditions could play a major role in how many rivers, creeks, lakes and reservoirs can be stocked before April 24, Cox reported.
This year each body of water in the state that is stocked with trout must go through a pre-stocking evaluation procedure outlined in a recently completed Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement. This procedure requires the DFG to consider each sensitive or listed species relative to the stocking of trout.
DFG fisheries staff have made the evaluations a top priority and thus far 45 waters have been approved for stocking in the Eastern Sierra, with more expected to be approved prior to the opener.
Biologists plan on completing habitat assessments for remaining waters as conditions permit prior to the end of July.
Find approved stocking waters online: http://dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcheries/FishPlanting/Evaluation.asp.
Most lakes, rivers and streams have a limit of five trout per day and 10 in possession. However, regulations differ on season opening and closing dates, bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits and gear restrictions. Check the 2010 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulation booklet, found online at http://dfg.ca.gov/regulations/, for details.
All persons age 16 and older must possess a valid California fishing license to fish within the state's borders. Purchase freshwater fishing license online: http://dfg.ca.gov/licensing/ols/intro.html, or at regional DFG offices or other authorized dealers. Anglers no longer have to display their license visibly above the waist but they must have it in their possession while fishing.
Joe Segura, a mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper, has covered Gotham City, er Long Beach, for 34 years. During his very, very long -- endless -- tenure, he's covered almost every beat, and he was the main writer for BeachWeek, which focused on life and lifestyles of the shoreline communities from downtown Long Beach to the Huntington Beach pier.
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