Bay Delta Classroom Aquarium Education Program: Teacher Resources

Permit to Receive Eggs (Form 772)

Completion of an approved training program is a prerequisite for applying for a form 772 (Authorization to Transport and Rear Eggs and Fish). Complete all sections and select a release location from the approved list. The application must be signed by both you and your supervisor (usually this is the principal).

The deadline for applications for teachers who have hatched fish in the past is the last Friday in December before winter break. Newly trained teachers will submit their applications at their training workshop.

You may submit your application to your sponsor or directly to CDFW by:

  1. Email (preferred) PDF ONLY - photos will not be accepted - r3caep@wildlife.ca.gov
  2. Mail: 2825 Cordelia Rd Suite #100, Fairfield, CA 94534
  3. Fax: (707) 428-2036

It is advisable to work with your sponsoring organization (generally the fly-fishing club you are working with) when you complete the application form.

We suggest you check the online list to see if your application was processed and approved.

For the 2020/21 school year, we suggest you list a release site near your school and a secondary approved site near your home. This will give you flexibility when it comes time to release the fry as you may have your tank in your house or in your classroom.

A fully completed 772 permit must be returned to CDFW (or your sponsor, at their request) within 14 days of release of your fish (or within 14 days of the last fish dying). A list of returned permits for this year can be found on the TIC blog. We suggest you keep a copy of the permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will eggs be available this year during Covid?

Yes. You will have the option of setting up your tank in your classroom or at your home if you are in remote teaching mode.

How will the program be different under Covid?

Great question and one that we can only give a partial answer. You will need to apply for eggs in the same fashion as always. Your coach is eager to help you by phone, email, and video conference. It is highly unlikely coaches will be visiting your classroom (or home) and they will not be able to provide hands-on tank set up. We have created a TON of new link opens in new windowonline teaching resources and are creating videos to help you set up your tank on your own.

If you have specific questions or requests, ask your coach or reach out to ethan.rotman@wildlife.ca.gov.

I submitted my application, how can I check to see if it has been approved?

Great question! We keep an updated list on the link opens in new windowCAEP blog. You should bookmark this page as you will want to look here at the end of the season to check the status of your returned permit.

I am not sure if I will be able or even want to hatch eggs this year - what should I do?

I get it - there are so many unknown factors. Go ahead and apply for eggs (12/15/2020 is the deadline). Once you are approved, you can always cancel up to the day eggs are delivered.

We were unable to get eggs last year due to Covid - are we still eligible?

Absolutely. As long as you have been active in this program within the past 3 years, you remain eligible. If you did not receive eggs in 2019 due to Covid, that does not count as a missed year.

Where can I see the new digital teaching tools created for this program?

link opens in new windowA digital "book" with most of the tools is posted online. It is updated regularly so check back.

Should I choose a release site near my home or school for this year?

We suggest you request a site near your school and one near your home. This will allow you more flexibility in the Spring when you go to release. If school is in session, you can release nearby so students can join you. If you are on all remote teaching and have the tank at home, you can release closer to home: list of all approved sites (click on the tab for rainbow or steelhead).

I have created some cool new digital material – is there a way I can share with other teachers?

GREAT! We love this kind of stuff. Write a note to ethan.rotman@wildlife.ca.gov and he help.

I want to live stream my tank to my students - can you help?

We are working on a step-by-step guide to help you with this. We may have a limited number of cameras available for loan this year as well. Otherwise, you can use your cell phone during a Zoom call with good results.

What do I need to do to get eggs again this year?

This is easy - every year you need to apply for a new permit. The application form (PDF Form) has changed a bit this year. Fill this out and submit either to your sponsor or to CDFW at the address listed on the back. Most sponsors want to help teachers by collecting and tracking the permits.

I can’t remember who my sponsor is or if I even have one – what do I do?

Almost all teachers in the Bay Area program have a sponsor who is active in supporting the classroom project. Check your permit from last year and you will find the name of your sponsor (the organization) and your coach (the individual). If you can’t find this, contact ethan.rotman@wildlife.ca.gov and he will look it up for you.

I already took the training, do I need to do it again?

Teachers are always welcome to attend a training workshop as a refresher (usually at no cost), however, this is not required. As long as you have hatched fish within the past 3 years and complied with all the terms of your permit (including returning it at the end of the season) you do not need to be retrained.

When should I plan on the eggs arriving and releasing the fish?

Rainbow Trout eggs are tentatively scheduled for delivery the week immediately following the Presidents Holiday in February. We recommend release 4-5 weeks after hatch and you must release no longer than 8 weeks after the delivery date.

See steelhead eggs pick-up dates from Warm Springs Hatchery. We recommend release 4-5 weeks afterwards and you must release no longer than 8 weeks after delivery.

Why do some teachers hatch rainbow trout and other teachers hatch steelhead trout?

We are fortunate in the Bay Area to be able to provide steelhead and rainbow trout eggs to schools, depending on where the school is located. It is important to remember that all teachers in the Bay Area hatch trout – steelhead are anadromous and go the ocean while rainbow are the same fish but remain in lakes.

Teachers in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties receive a strain of locally spawned steelhead that can be released into local streams (but NOT lakes).

Teachers in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County are given a strain of steelhead eggs from the San Lorenzo River system and these fish must ONLY be released into this watershed (thus the reason Santa Clara teachers must haul their eggs over the hill and are not able to release locally).

Teachers in most of the Bay Area receive a common strain of rainbow trout that can be released into most (but not all) lakes. These fish CANNOT be released into local streams.

All fish much be released in accordance with your 772 permit – there are no exceptions. 

I have a co-worker who wants to be in the program – what should I do?

Some of the training workshops for this year are already full but there are some spaces open in select areas. For more information, see:

I love the program and want to do more with my students; where can I find new ideas and resources?

There are tons of great materials, curriculum, lists of books and other resources available for you on our Curriculum Aids page and on the link opens in new windowTrout in the Classroom Blog.

I never received a copy of the “WILD About Trout” multi-media shows – can I get a copy?

Absolutely! The 5 slideshows are available in English and Spanish, are correlated to standards, connected to the posters you should have received, and are available to you at no cost. Just ask your sponsor or contact ethan.rotman@wildlife.ca.gov.

Is there a way I can stay in touch with other teachers who also hatch fish?

The easiest way is to “like” the Trout in the Classroom Facebook Page. This keeps you in touch with other teachers and coaches. Sometimes, if you have a question or problem, this is the fastest way to get a response.

I really appreciate the help of my sponsor and coach – is there something I can do to thank them?

Coaches provide valuable support – helping with the permitting, delivering eggs, setting up the aquarium, talking to your students, troubleshooting problems and so much more. They do this because they want to share their love of streams and fish with your students. In general, they love getting letters and cards from students. You may want to ask if you can attend a club meeting to share your class’ experience hatching fish.

I returned my permit, how do I find out if it was received?

Great question! We keep an updated list on the link opens in new windowCAEP blog. You should bookmark this page as you will want to look here at the end of the season to check the status of your application next year.

Sport Fish Restoration