CDFW News

El Dorado County Angler Becomes 500th to Complete CDFW’s Heritage Trout Challenge

Wed, 01 May 2024 10:54:59 GMT

The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) have recognized Scott Lyons, an El Dorado County resident, retired educator and lifelong angler, with having completed California’s 500th Heritage Trout Challenge.

In reaching the Heritage Trout Challenge milestone, Lyons, 57, caught six of 11 qualifying native California trout species within their historic watersheds. They were the California golden trout, the McCloud River redband trout, a steelhead from the Trinity River, a coastal cutthroat trout, a Goose Lake redband trout and a Lahontan cutthroat trout.

The Commission established the Heritage Trout Challenge in 2004 to promote the ecological and aesthetic values of California’s native trout species and their historic habitats, build support for native trout restoration efforts, and encourage anglers to explore new waters and experience California’s diverse fishing opportunities.

CDFW administers the Heritage Trout Challenge and receives 20 to 30 applications a year. CDFW distinguishes “heritage trout” from other trout as those trout species native to California living within their historic range. Successful anglers who catch any six of the 11 qualifying species and document their catch with photographs receive a hat and a colorful, personalized certificate featuring the art of renowned fish illustrator Joseph Tomelleri. Each certificate contains a representation of the six species of trout caught along with the dates and locations.

“I had never caught a golden trout until I undertook the Heritage Trout Challenge. I had never caught a steelhead,” Lyons said. “I had heard about these mythical fish. I had fished all of my life, but I didn’t really have the appreciation for them that the Heritage Trout Challenge allowed me to explore. The more I opened the door, the more I started exploring, and the more excited I got about the different kinds of fish.”

Lyons has completed the Heritage Trout Challenge seven times. The six fish documented on his milestone 500th certificate were caught over a period of 14 years, though Lyons noted he has completed some of his previous Heritage Trout Challenges in less than 12 months.

“The great thing about this program is there is no time limit,” he said. “Once you start, you can take as long as you want. The key is to have a really good picture. The beauty and the fun is going to all the spots that hold all these fish.”

While Lyons was able to drive to Heenan Lake in Alpine County for his Lahontan cutthroat trout, Lyons and his wife, Brenda, hiked 16 miles round trip to catch his California golden trout in the southern Sierra.

“I had been to (Heenan Lake) four times and had been shut out. It’s kind of a fickle lake,” Lyons said. “I was 0 for 4 but I kept trying and, finally, on my fifth trip to the lake I laid into a beautiful, Lahontan cutthroat trout. It was in just a gorgeous setting and an easy heritage trout water you can drive right to.”

A fly angler, Lyons caught and released all his fish using barbless hooks. Though, the Heritage Trout Challenge permits catch and keep and the use of bait and other artificial lures where Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (PDF) allow.

Lyons grew up in the Bay Area and has lived in El Dorado County for 30 years, retiring from a career there as an elementary and middle school teacher, principal and superintendent.

Lyons credits his uncle and grandfather in Minnesota for igniting his passion for fishing as a child during family visits to the Midwest. His father taught him to fly fish and instilled a love for the Sierra, which remains among Lyons’ favorite places to fish.

“I’d always thought brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout were the trout of the Sierra, and I didn’t realize the diversity that California has with its 11 native (trout) species,” he said. “As a guy that loves California and loves traveling throughout California, I couldn’t believe that I’d never been to some of these spots.”

Learn more at the Heritage Trout Challenge page, which includes resources for completing the challenge and a new online application and verification form.

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Media Contact:
Lee Duckwall, CDFW Heritage and Wild Trout Program, (916) 508-8260
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

Lake Tahoe to Receive 100,000 Lahontan Cutthroat Trout This Summer: Agencies, Washoe Tribe Unite to Return Native Trout to Lake Tahoe

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 09:54:21 GMT

**** Interagency News Release ****

Lake Tahoe, Nev., Calif. - Tahoe’s native fish are making a return this summer.

The Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex in Gardnerville, Nev., began stocking 100,000 catchable, Lahontan cutthroat trout into Lake Tahoe June 1 and will continue stocking throughout the summer as conditions allow.

The stocking is part of a multiagency and tribal cooperative effort to reintroduce the Tahoe Basin’s native trout species and expand recreational fishing opportunities to anglers. The partners involved are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (USDA LTBMU), Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California.

The reintroduction of Lahontan cutthroat trout has biological and recreational importance as well as significant cultural value to the Washoe Tribe. As the original stewards of Lahontan cutthroat trout, the Washoe Tribe has been an important stakeholder and partner since the beginning of reintroduction in the Tahoe Basin. The tribe has always been supportive of the restoration projects within Washoe ancestral lands.

The fish will be stocked at various, publicly accessible locations in both the California and Nevada portions of the lake. Approximately 20 percent of the trout will be tagged to help biologists evaluate the success of the stocking effort along with the growth, survival, and distribution of the fish.

Anglers are required to follow all fishing regulations (see Sport Fishing Regulations below) and encouraged to report any tagged fish they catch by calling the phone number on the tag, (775) 861-6355. Over time, stocking will inform conservation and recreation strategies in the reintroduction of this native strain of the fish into its historic habitat.

Lahontan cutthroat trout have been stocked intermittently in Lake Tahoe since 2011, although in smaller numbers. They are the only trout native to the Tahoe Basin and the largest cutthroat trout species in the world. The fish being stocked are the Pilot Peak strain of the species, which is known for its fast growth rate and achieving exceptional size. The Pilot Peak strain is also found in Nevada’s Pyramid Lake, which attracts anglers from around the world hoping to catch one of the lake’s giant Lahontan cutthroat trout.

Lahontan cutthroat trout are listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act. Their original listing in 1970 predates the modern act itself, which was passed in 1973. The native trout eventually disappeared from Lake Tahoe due to overfishing, damage to spawning tributaries caused by pollution, logging, water diversions, and the introduction of nonnative species. Federal and state efforts are underway throughout the fish’s native range in California and Nevada to restore the species and its habitat.

While this summer’s stocking may inform future restoration efforts, it is an initiative to expand recreational trout fishing opportunities for the public, enhance the near-shore fishery, and to foster an appreciation for this iconic native species.

Sport Fishing Regulations

Anyone 16 years or older fishing anywhere in Lake Tahoe must possess either a valid California sport fishing license or a valid Nevada fishing license. Either state’s license is valid around the entire shore of Lake Tahoe. Anglers fishing the California portion of Lake Tahoe may fish year-round and are allowed a limit of five trout per day and a 10 trout possession limit (California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations, section 5.85).

Anglers fishing the Nevada portion of the lake may fish year-round and are allowed a limit of five total game fish species in possession (2022 Nevada Fishing Regulations, pages 44-45). Anglers are strongly advised to consult either the 2021-2022 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (PDF) or the 2022 Nevada Fishing Regulations (PDF) for specific regulations for the Lake Tahoe portions of each state.

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About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information about our work and the people who make it happen, visit https://www.fws.gov/cno/ or connect with us via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.

About the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
The mission of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is to manage California’s diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public. To learn more, visit wildlife.ca.gov. Connect with us at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About the Nevada Department of Wildlife
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores, and manages Nevada fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or visit us at ndow.org.

About the USDA Forest Service
The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

About the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Established in 1969, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency was the nation’s first bi-state regional environmental planning agency. Our mission is to lead the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or visit us at trpa.gov.

About the Washoe Tribe
Preserving, reviving and living the Washoe culture and traditions. Where: Respect for one another and tribal values promote our spiritual, physical and environmental wellness. Educational opportunities are available for all tribal members and descendants. A solid economic foundation ensures self-sufficiency for tribal success. Responsive government promotes teamwork, professionalism and accountability. On safe and secure tribal lands.

Media Contacts:
Melissa Conte, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (775) 861-6368
Peter Tira, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, (916) 215-3858
Ashley Sanchez, Nevada Department of Wildlife, (775) 688-1558
Lisa Herron, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, (530) 721-3898
Jeff Cowen, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, (775) 589-5278
Darrel Cruz, Washoe Tribe of Nevada, and California, (750) 265-8600

Photo of Lahontan cutthroat trout: Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.