Trout Fishing Blues

Taken from the DFG:

TROUT PLANTS
The DFG is usually a bit late on posting plant info so that fishing activity will not be focused right after the time of the plant as well as the occasional, operational problems that may cause any change to the schedule.

Week of April 23, 2007
LOS ANGELES – Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Jackson Lake and Pyramid Lake.
ORANGE – Trabuco Creek.
SAN DIEGO – Cuyamaca Lake, Lower Otay Lake and Murray Lake.
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake and Santa Margarita Lake.
SANTA BARBARA – Cachuma Lake and Santa Ynez River.
VENTURA – Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek and Rose Valley Lakes.

Week of April 30, 2007
LOS ANGELES – Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Lake, Big Tujunga Creek (Lower & Upper), Castaic Lagoon, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lakes, Lincoln Park Lake, Magic Johnson Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, San Gabriel River (East & West Forks) and Santa Fe Reservoir.
ORANGE – Laguna Lake.
SANTA BARBARA – Lion Canyon Creek.
VENTURA – Rancho Simi Park Lake.

http://www.troutfishingblues.com

There has been speculation that the noise pollution caused by sonar is causing fish to go deaf.

According to the AP, a study will be conducted to expose rainbow trout to various amounts of noise pollution in a controlled environment to study the effects.

Since sound seems to travel farther underwater, it would be no surprise that it would also amplify louder underwater as well, especially for aquatic animals that are sensitive and used to their regular levels of sound. It makes sense that any artificial noises, louder than what most aquatic animals are used to would be affected by the change.

Another aspect to take into consideration when discussing conservation.

Although frequent catching and planting would limit the possibility that fish would become deaf over a populace, it does bring into question on how effective “noise making” lures will have on fish in lakes with heavy water traffic and a long history of lunkers caught and released.

http://www.troutfishingblues.com

Catching trout is an activity that requires skill, patience and a lot of know how. Releasing them is just the same. It is important that we trout fisherman exercise proper releasing methods so that future generations can experience the thrill of catching trout.

The DFG posted a few tips on making sure that the proper care is taken when catching and releasing your trout. When anglers catch and release trout that are too large, too small, or are a restricted species, it is very important to properly handle the trout in order to protect and preserve the fish populations.

Caught fish will benefit when anglers use the following techniques:

For all species, these general guidelines apply for both tackle and technique:

• Use unscented artificial lures (no bait) to minimize deep hooking. Barbless hooks or hooks with flattened barbs make unhooking easier and less stressful on the fish.
• Use tackle strong enough to bring the fish in quickly and reduce exhaustion.
• Avoid stainless steel hooks.
• Avoid and replace treble hooks on lures, especially with saltwater species.
• Land fish as carefully and quickly as possible, and avoid playing the fish to exhaustion.
• Use an appropriate sized landing net to assist in catching, handling, and releasing the fish. Small knotless mesh nets are easiest on fish.
• Try to avoid removing the fish from the water.

Once a fish is landed, these steps will help reduce stress on the fish:

• Use wet hands or wet cotton gloves when handling the fish.
• Do not squeeze the fish or touch its eyes or gills.
• Remove only those hooks that are seen and removed easily, otherwise clip the line near the mouth on deeply hooked fish.
• Remove the hook quickly. Underwater unhooking and release is preferred.
• Avoid having the fish hit the deck of the boat or flop around on the shore.
• Minimize the time the fish is out of the water.

For reviving and releasing the fish:

• Hold the fish horizontally and upright facing into the current.
• Gently move the fish forward and backwards until it swims away on its own.
• For fish that have buoyancy issues, have a release device (such as a weighted plastic crate) on hand and ready.

You can read more about it here.

http://www.troutfishingblues.com

TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:

Week of March 26, 2007

LOS ANGELES - Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake and Pyramid Lake.

ORANGE - Centennial Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake and Tri-city Lake.

SAN DIEGO - Cuyamaca Lake.

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake and Santa Margarita Lake.

SANTA BARBARA - Cachuma Lake and Santa Ynez River.

VENTURA - Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek and Rose Valley Lakes.

Week of April 2, 2007

LOS ANGELES - Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Lake, Big Tujunga Creek (lower & upper), Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, Jackson Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lakes, Lincoln Park Lake, Magic Johnson Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, San Gabriel River (east & west forks) and Santa Fe Reservoir.

ORANGE - Laguna Lake.

SAN DIEGO - Doane Pond.

SANTA BARBARA - Lion Canyon Creek.