Serving Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba counties On this page Overview Get Involved Teacher Training Workshops FAQ Program Resources Related Programs Contact Check out the Region 2 “Explore and Learn” Newsletter! Subscribe to receive updates about our education programs right to your inbox. Subscribe(opens in new tab) 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 Thank you to our Region 2 sponsors: California Fly Fishers Unlimited Chico Area Fly Fishers City of Lodi City of Stockton Delta Fly Fishers EC Powell Fly Fishers Fly Fishers of Davis Lodi Unified School District Galt Joint Unified School District Granite Bay Flycasters Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission Restore the Delta Sacramento-Sierra Trout Unlimited San Joaquin County Office of Education Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships Stewardship Through Education Trout Unlimited Feather River UC Davis Center for Community and Citizen Science UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center 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 as an optional refresher course for continuing teachers whose most recent training was 5 or more years ago. Date Time Location Thursday 8/21/2025 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Virtual Saturday 9/13/2025 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Chico (with virtual option) Wednesday 9/17/2025 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Virtual Saturday 10/11/2025 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Virtual Thursday 1/8/2026 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Virtual Workshop Registration Important Dates for the 2025-26 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 31, 2025 Mokelumne River/San Joaquin: December 5, 2025 Steelhead Trout Feather River/American River: January 30, 2026 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 Forms and Guidelines Curriculum and Classroom Resources Project WILD Aquatic Contact For more information, contact: North Central Region CAEP Coordinator Genelle Treaster, r2caep@wildlife.ca.gov Related Programs Fishing in the City Nimbus Fish Hatchery