CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsCDFW Takes Steps to Return Land to California Tribehttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-takes-steps-to-return-land-to-california-tribeWCBWed, 29 Nov 2023 14:41:58 GMTAfter years of discussion, CDFW will transfer 40-plus acres of the historic Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery in Inyo County to the Fort Independence Indian Community which is recognized as one distinct separate tribal government of the four Owens Valley Paiute Tribes.<p>After years of discussion, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will transfer 40+ acres of the historic Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery in Inyo County to the Fort Independence Indian Community, which is recognized as one distinct separate tribal government of the four Owens Valley Paiute Tribes. The <a href="/News/Archive/grant-awarded-to-restore-los-angeles-zoo-oak-woodland-habitat-by-engaging-participants-from-disadvantaged-communities#gsc.tab=0">Wildlife Conservation Board approved</a> the no-cost transfer last week and will complete the transaction in early 2024. The transfer will mark CDFW’s first ever land return to a California Tribe.</p> <p>“This act is momentous and aligns with many ambitions laid out for California by this Administration,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “It honors Governor Newsom’s Executive Order encouraging the transfer of excess lands to California Native American tribes and it is a Nature Based Solution that contributes to the goals of 30x30. I am proud to be a part of this transfer.”</p> <p>The historic hatchery structures, residences and other buildings cover approximately 19 acres. The remaining 21+ acres have native plant vegetation including shrubland, and oak and willow riparian habitat adjacent to Oak Creek. Willow flycatcher, a special-status species, is known to use property as habitat.</p> <p>“Water is an integral part of Paiute culture, history and social structure,” said Tribal Chairman Carl Dahlberg. “Our Indigenous Paiute members settled on the banks of the Oak Creek since time immemorial and these lands have always been sacred to our people. Our worldview values the delicate ecosystem which connects us to this land which traditionally was a cultivation site for indigenous plants, such as taboose and nahavita. This property is inextricably intwined into who we are as Paiute people and we hope to bring this knowledge and history back to the community through the preservation of the Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery.”</p> <p>Owned by CDFW since 1916, the hatchery historically produced different trout species for planting until whirling disease was discovered there in 1984. Because the disease does not infect eggs, production of trout eggs continued there until 2007. In July 2008, the property was severely damaged from flood and mudslide and temporarily closed to the public. An interpretive center operated by the Friends of Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery remains open today. The Tribe is committed to protecting wildlife habitats and native plants, using the resources prudently and making the property open to all.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> Start or Renew the Hobby of Fishing on the First of Two Free Fishing Days in Californiahttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/start-or-renew-the-hobby-of-fishing-on-the-first-of-two-free-fishing-days-in-californiaTroutTue, 28 Jun 2022 11:36:05 GMTThe first of California’s two Free Fishing Days in 2022 is coming up over the Independence Day holiday weekend.<p>The first of California’s two Free Fishing Days in 2022 is coming up over the Independence Day holiday weekend.</p> <p>On Free Fishing Days – which land on Saturday, July 2 and Saturday, September 3, 2022 – the public can fish throughout the Golden State without a fishing license. For those new to fishing, this is an opportunity to explore a rewarding and exciting new hobby. For licensed anglers, this is an opportunity to introduce or reintroduce someone else to the benefits of becoming an angler. Free Fishing Days are also a time for people who used to fish to come back and reconnect to the activity.</p> <p>Only basic fishing equipment and knowledge is needed to get started fishing. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) offers introductory fishing videos you can watch leading up to July 2.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZYveUMYQ1M" target="_blank">Tackle Box Basics (Video)</a>: You’ll learn about the different types of tackle and how to match the “when, where and what species” of various types of tackle.</li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPsBUV2oq0g" target="_blank">How to Become a California Angler (Video)</a>: You’ll hear about California’s diverse fish species and where and how to find them.</li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33NQb1bTheU" target="_blank">A Beginner's Guide to Trout Fishing (Video)</a>: You’ll gain an introduction to cold freshwater trout fishing, including differentiating species, spawning patterns and best catch techniques for California waters.</li> </ul> <p><a href="https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/">CDFW’s Fishing Guide</a> can be a great resource for all anglers. Look for a new body of water to fish, review recent planting locations or even refresh your knowledge of fishing regulations. This useful tool can be accessed from your mobile phone while you are fishing!</p> <p>California’s vastness, varied geography and rich biodiversity, provide anglers with a plethora of fishing locations and species to catch. Those interested in fishing in California’s lakes, streams and rivers can find information about <a href="/Fishing/Inland">inland fishing locations and species</a> on the CDFW website. Information about <a href="/Fishing/Ocean">ocean fishing</a>, including spots along California beaches, is also available on the website.</p> <p>All <a href="/regulations">fishing regulations</a>, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect on Free Fishing Days. Anglers must have the appropriate report card when fishing for steelhead or sturgeon anywhere in the state, and salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity River systems. Anglers can review the <a href="/regulations">sport fishing regulations</a> online or use <a href="https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/sportfishingregs/index.html">CDFW’s mobile website to view freshwater limits and regulations specific to a body of water</a>.</p> <p>“California anglers are incredibly fortunate to have such a wide variety of fish species and fishing opportunities to choose from on July 2,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “We ask anglers to pick their fishing destinations carefully given the drought conditions impacting our waters. Please try and avoid waters visibly suffering from the impacts of drought. Specifically, where warm and low water levels may be stressing fish populations.”</p> <p>Anglers planning to fish inland waters through catch and release can help reduce fish stress levels and increase survival rates by voluntarily adopting the following practices:</p> <ul> <li>Assess the water for extreme drought conditions before committing to fish there</li> <li>Fish before the day heats up</li> <li>Handle fish as little as possible</li> <li>Keep fish in the water when removing hooks</li> </ul> <p>We hope you take advantage of California’s Free Fishing Days. If you get “hooked” on fishing, be sure to <a href="https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales/">purchase an annual resident sport fishing</a> license. The revenue generated from license sales help conserve our fish populations and habitats while supporting California's longstanding angling opportunities for today and future generations.</p> <p>An annual resident sport fishing license in California currently costs $54, while a one-day fishing license costs $17.54.</p> <p>###</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <em><a href="mailto:taylor.williams@wildlife.ca.gov">Taylor Williams</a>, CDFW R3 Program, (916) 203-1362<br /> <a href="mailto:kirsten.macintyre@wildlife.ca.gov">Kirsten Macintyre</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714</em><br /> <br /> <em><strong>Photo</strong>: Woman fly fishing in river. Jozef/<a href="https://stock.adobe.com/" target="_blank">stock.adobe.com</a></em></p> CDFW to Supplement Fish Stocks for Anglers as Bacterial Outbreak Leads to Further Losses at Two Eastern Sierra Trout Hatcherieshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-to-supplement-fish-stocks-for-anglers-as-bacterial-outbreak-leads-to-further-losses-at-two-eastern-sierra-trout-hatcheriesWildlife HealthMon, 20 Jun 2022 10:45:31 GMTTwo California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) trout hatcheries in the Eastern Sierra are continuing to fight an outbreak of Lactococcus petauri, a naturally occurring bacteria that sickens fish. The current outbreak was first detected in April 2022.<p>Two California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) trout hatcheries in the Eastern Sierra are continuing to fight an outbreak of Lactococcus petauri, a naturally occurring bacteria that sickens fish. The current outbreak was first <a href="/News/tag/lactococcus">detected in April 2022</a>. CDFW fishery managers announced this week that approximately 350,000 infected catchable rainbow trout are now showing signs of disease and must be humanely euthanized.</p> <p>The affected facilities – Black Rock and Fish Springs hatcheries – usually provide fish for stocking waterways in CDFW’s <a href="/Regions/6">Inland Deserts Region</a>. Because this is a significant loss of fish that would normally be stocked for anglers in the 2022 season, CDFW is working to contract with an external vendor to provide catchable rainbow trout for planting in Mono County. Approval of this contract is anticipated in July and stocking could begin soon after. In addition, other CDFW hatcheries across the state are supporting the eastern Sierra by providing and stocking fish in priority waters.</p> <p>“This loss is a huge disappointment, but we were prepared for this possibility and are doing all we can to ensure to continued angling opportunity for the public,” said CDFW Fisheries Supervisor Russell Black. “The fish from the private contractor and stocks from non-infected hatchery facilities will help bridge the gap while we work to vaccinate the remaining stocks at the affected facilities. We are doing all we can to stock as many fish as possible.”</p> <p>In addition to purchasing fish and redirecting existing stocks, CDFW’s plans to combat the outbreak and improve hatchery capabilities include:</p> <ul> <li>The use of two different types of fish vaccines (immersion and injection) developed by scientists at the University of California, Davis, at the affected hatcheries.</li> <li>Infrastructure improvements, including the installation of a new recirculation pump at Fish Springs Hatchery, and backup generators at Black Rock Hatchery and Hot Creek Hatchery.</li> <li>Plans to modernize equipment, vehicles and facilities at other hatcheries throughout the state, both to improve drought resiliency and ensure that hatcheries are prepared to support each other when unexpected losses occur.</li> <li>Pending proposals for five new hatchery technicians for the Inland Deserts Region, as well as an additional $5 million for fish food, water and electricity for the statewide hatchery system.</li> </ul> <p><em>Lactococcus petauri</em> occurs naturally in the environment and is usually spread by movement of fish or eggs. CDFW’s fish pathologists believe that it may have been carried into the hatcheries by birds that picked it up from an environmental source. Fish that are infected with the bacterium can show symptoms including bulging eyes, lethargic or erratic swimming and increased mortality, or be asymptomatic and show no signs of infection depending on several factors including water temperature and stress.</p> <p>Fish-to-human transmission of this bacteria is rare and unlikely. As always, anglers should follow USDA recommendations on cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.</p> <p>For additional information, please see <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=200804&inline" target="_blank">CDFW’s frequently asked questions about the Lactococcus spp. outbreaks (PDF)</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:russell.black@wildlife.ca.gov">Russell Black</a>, CDFW Inland Deserts Region, (951) 852-6386<br /> <a href="mailto:kenneth.kundargi@wildlife.ca.gov">Ken Kundargi</a>, CDFW Fisheries Branch, (916) 508-7788<br /> <a href="mailto:kirsten.macintyre@wildlife.ca.gov">Kirsten Macintyre</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 849-1714</em></p> New Bacterial Outbreak Confirmed at Two Eastern Sierra Fish Hatcherieshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/new-bacterial-outbreak-confirmed-at-two-eastern-sierra-fish-hatcheriesWildlife HealthThu, 21 Apr 2022 12:00:52 GMTTwo CDFW fish hatchery facilities in the eastern Sierra have recently detected an outbreak of Lactococcus petauri, a naturally occurring bacteria that sickens fish. CDFW fishery managers are working to implement strategies that will help the facilities get the disease under control, without cancelling all trout plants prior to the traditional season opener on April 30.<p>Two California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) fish hatchery facilities in the eastern Sierra have recently detected an outbreak of <em>Lactococcus petauri</em>, a naturally occurring bacteria that sickens fish. CDFW fishery managers are working to implement strategies that will help the facilities get the disease under control, without cancelling all trout plants prior to the traditional season opener on April 30.</p> <p>The affected facilities – Black Rock Hatchery and Fish Springs Hatchery – usually provide fish for stocking waterways in CDFW’s <a href="/Regions/6">Inland Deserts Region</a>. Both facilities experienced a similar outbreak of <em>Lactococcus garvieae</em> in 2020, which led to the euthanization of approximately 3.2 million fish in order to stop the spread of disease (<em>L. petauri</em> is molecularly very similar to <em>L. garvieae</em>; the general abbreviation for both strains is <em>Lactococcus spp</em>.).</p> <p>Earlier this month, the four raceways that hold catchable fish at Black Rock Hatchery tested positive for the <em>Lactococcus </em>bacteria. This accounts for approximately 120,000 trout, which would normally be stocked throughout the fishing season. At Fish Springs Hatchery, all lots of catchable fish (approximately 550,000 trout) tested positive. The current outbreak is among fish that have already received one round of vaccination.</p> <p>In lieu of depopulating the affected hatcheries, non-diseased fish will be stocked into high-use waters that are hydrologically connected to the affected hatcheries and have cold water. This will mean increased plants for some locations and decreased plants for others. Diseased fish will be euthanized and not planted.</p> <p>“This is unfortunate timing, as it affects our planting efforts in the weeks before the opener, but all is not lost,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Fortunately, we learned much from the 2020 outbreak, and we have more knowledge and better tools to fight the bacterium this time around. We also believe we can continue stocking, with some adjustments and careful monitoring.”</p> <p>Prior to the 2020 outbreak of <em>Lactococcus</em>, which is similar to streptococcus, the bacterium had never before been detected in fish in California, and thus there were no known effective treatments to employ. CDFW put <a href="https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2020/06/30/bacterial-outbreak-at-cdfw-hatcheries-temporarily-halts-fish-stocking-in-southern-california/" target="_blank">three facilities under quarantine for more than a month</a>, while pathologists and hatchery staff treated the affected fish. CDFW was successful in developing vaccines and continue to work on vaccine-related issues to improve efficiency.</p> <p><em>Lactococcus spp</em>. occurs naturally in the environment and is usually spread by movement of fish or eggs. CDFW’s fish pathologists believe that it may have been carried into the hatcheries by birds that picked it up from an environmental source. The current strain of bacteria is identical to one found in fish farms in central Mexico, which lends support to the hypothesis that birds using the pacific flyway are the likely vector for the spread of the bacteria. Fish that are infected with the bacterium can show symptoms including bulging eyes, lethargic or erratic swimming and increased mortality, or be asymptomatic and show no signs of infection depending on several factors including water temperature and stress. Fish-to-human transmission of this bacteria is rare and unlikely. As always, anglers should follow USDA recommendations on cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.</p> <p>CDFW has initiated a phased priority stocking plan for the eastern Sierra. This plan will focus on planting high-use waters in southern Mono and northern Inyo counties. Similar to measures taken to handle the 2020 outbreak, CDFW will be investigating all available options to secure additional fish for increased planting opportunities, including redirecting fish plants from non-infected hatcheries. Results of the latest testing at Hot Creek Hatchery indicate that the fish in that facility’s upper raceways are cleared for planting at this time.</p> <p>For additional information, please see <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=200804&inline" target="_blank">CDFW’s frequently asked questions about the <em>Lactococcus spp</em>. outbreaks (PDF)</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:russell.black@wildlife.ca.gov">Russell Black</a>, CDFW Inland Deserts Region, (951) 852-6386<br /> <a href="mailto:kenneth.kundargi@wildlife.ca.gov">Ken Kundargi</a>, CDFW Fisheries Branch, (916) 508-7788<br /> <a href="mailto:kirsten.macintyre@wildlife.ca.gov">Kirsten Macintyre</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 849-1714</em></p>