Classroom Aquarium Education Program in CDFW's North Central Region

1. 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.
2. 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.

1. At the beginning of each season, please get in touch with your sponsor to ensure your participation is on their radar.
2. 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. 

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.

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 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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

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.