Classroom Aquarium Education Program in CDFW's North Central Region

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rainbow trout art - image courtesy of USFWS

Overview: Bring Nature into Your Classroom

CAEP seeks to:

Foster connections between students and nature through hands-on science and the responsibility of hatching native fish eggs in a classroom context.
Encourage stewardship of local natural resources through the program timeline--and into the future.

Local organizations and jurisdictions throughout the region have partnered with CDFW to provide the support needed to successfully raise native fish eggs into young fry! Students have the opportunity to release young fry into their home waters. Moreover, students enjoy the experience of connecting to, and making a positive impact in, their local environment.

Get Involved!

New Teachers

The first step for new teachers is to register for and attend a New Teacher Workshop. Dates and registration links can be found by scrolling to the "Teacher Workshops" section of this page.
- Teachers will be paired with a sponsor after the workshop.
After completing the workshop, teachers are considered "Certified" and can submit a CAEP Application to Receive, Transport, and Rear Eggs and Fish (CDFW Form 772). Teachers must submit this application yearly in order to receive eggs.
- The link to apply for eggs can be found further on this page in the "Deadlines" section.

Returning Teachers

At the beginning of each season, please get in touch with your sponsor to ensure your participation is on their radar.
You must apply each year by submitting a CAEP Application to Receive, Transport, and Rear Eggs and Fish (CDFW Form 772)
- Application deadlines and the link to apply can be found by scrolling to the "Deadlines" section of this page.

Recertification / Refresher Course for Returning Teachers

Returning teachers are required to re-take the New Teacher Workshop and be re-certified before applying for eggs if:

You are entering the program from a different CDFW Region. Since CAEP varies regionally, teachers must retrain in Region 2 to be eligible for the program.
You've been out of the program for more than 3 years, and want to be eligible to apply for eggs this school year.
You've been notified by your CAEP Coordinator that you have been decertified for any reason. Visit our statewide CAEP guidelines page for more information.

If you are a continuing teacher and it has been more than 5 years since you took the CAEP Region 2 training, we highly recommend attending the New Teacher Workshop as a refresher course, due to the dynamic nature of this program.

Sponsor Organizations

Teacher Training Workshops

A New Teacher Workshop is a mandatory training for all new teachers and for returning teachers who haven’t participated in the program for the past 3 years or more. These free workshops must be completed before applying for eggs. Successful completion of any workshop will certify you to raise state-protected fish in your classroom.

Since aspects of this program are dynamic, attending a workshop is also recommended for CAEP volunteers and as a refresher course for continuing teachers. Teachers in Butte and San Joaquin Counties must attend the in-person workshops for their areas.

Date	Time	Location
August 26, 2026	3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.	Virtual
August 29, 2026	9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.	Chico
September 26, 2026	9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Virtual
October 17, 2026	9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.	San Joaquin County
January 16, 2027	9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Virtual

Workshop Registration

Important Dates for the 2026-27 School Year

Deadlines to Apply for Eggs

All certifed teachers must apply for eggs each year. Please submit applications by the deadlines below.

Submit a CAEP Application

Chinook Salmon

Feather River/Sacramento: October 30, 2026

Egg Delivery Date: November 11 or 18, 2026

Mokelumne River/San Joaquin: December 11, 2026

Egg Delivery Date: 2nd week of January, 2027

Steelhead Trout

Feather River/American River: January 31, 2027

Egg Delivery Date: February 10 or 17, 2027

Rainbow Trout

Late winter, early spring - deadlines vary by program

Lahontan Trout

April - exact deadline varies

Release Summary

An online release summary must be submitted within 2 weeks of releasing fry.

Complete the Release Summary

FAQ

What's covered in a New Teacher Workshop?

New Teacher Workshops include all the information you need to be a successful CAEP teacher. Topics include, but are not limited to:

CAEP Guidelines, Mission and History
What to expect as a CAEP teacher
Information about the fish you’ll hatch
Information on the history and types of fish hatcheries
Details on equipment set up and guidelines
CAEP curriculum resources
Field trip resources, including release information, guidelines, and activities
A sponsor meet and greet
Details about the Application, Authorization Form, and Release Summary
Other requirements, compliance, conditions, and deadlines.

These workshops can be submitted to your school district for Professional Growth credits.

What is an Authorization Form (CDFW 772)?

The Authorization Form (CDFW 772) official’s name is California Department of Fish and Wildlife Authorization Permit to Transport and Rear Eggs and Fish for Classroom Aquarium Education Program (Pursuant to Fish and Game Code Sections 6400, 711.7, 1802 and 2081(a)). The Authorization Form is a required element of this program in order for teachers to possess state-protected fish in their classrooms. Each aquarium must have an individually approved authorization form, and it must be displayed (and transported) with the fish and eggs at all times. Teachers must comply with all the listed conditions of the Authorization.

How do I know whether I've been accepted into the program? (or, if my application has been processed...)

Once you submit your online application for the Authorization Form (CDFW 772), you will receive a confirmation email for your submission. Once the application deadline closes, your CDFW Regional CAEP coordinator reviews all submissions and teacher eligibilities before issuing the Authorization Forms (CDFW 772). Your sponsor will contact you once you’re accepted.

What costs are associated with this program/How do I get an aquarium?

In Region 2, sponsors loan equipment to teachers for their temporary CAEP use. Please reach out to your sponsor to coordinate loans.

What is an Approved Release Site?

Waterbodies are approved for CAEP release site by CDFW scientists and the USFWS. Approvals are reviewed every five years, or sooner if an ecological issue arises. The list of Approved Sites is subject to change based on environmental conditions. These Approved Release Sites are listed when you apply online for your Authorization Form (CDFW 772).

Upon receiving eggs, teachers will receive an authorization form with an assigned, approved waterbody for release. Fry must be released into the waterbody that is listed on your authorization form. See guidelines(opens in new tab) for more details.

The 2025-26 approved waterbodies will be listed in this year's CAEP application.

Program Resources

Contact

For more information, contact:

North Central Region CAEP Coordinator

Genelle Treaster, r2caep@wildlife.ca.gov