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

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.

September 23, 2006 is FREE FISHING DAY in California!

The Department of Fish and Game of California offers two “Free Fishing Days” each year. What this means is that you can fish without having to purchase a license . Some department offices even offer free lessons on the free fishing days. They also have a “fishing in the City” program where they offer fishing lessons in the middle of metropolitan areas.

“Fishing in the City” and free fishing day clinics are designed to educate people just like you about fish habits, proven methods of catching fish, and tackle you’ll need. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner that night!

Please keep in mind however that all fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures are still intact.

http://www.troutfishingblues.com

I got back from Mammoth Lakes last week and it was a good trip over all.

We brought in a total of 18 trout 3 of them being Alpers (2-4 pounders). However, it seems as if Crowley lake was the big winner. I talked with a few anglers who came in from Crowley with a rather large stringer of Trout, surprisingly none of them being less than 2 pounds! These fish were huge! And while they were cleaning them you can see the beautiful tasty pink and orange meat the big ones are known to have.

I definitely made it a point to check out Crowley Lake if not soon, then next year for sure on my annual trip.

Here is some Information about Crowley Lake straight from their website:

Crowley Lake fishing season begins the last Saturday of every April and goes through October 31. Opening weekend at Crowley hosts the largest festivities in the Eastern Sierra. The opening day BIG FISH contest has every angler in competition for cash, prizes and trophy’s given by Fred J. Hall and Crowley Lake Fish Camp.

The lake is located 25 miles north of Bishop on Highway 395. It offers some of the most prestigious trout fishing in California. The huge man made reservoir is a domestic water system for Los Angeles.

The lake is 12 miles long and 5 miles at its widest point. Crowley Lake is a facility for storing the Eastern High Sierra snow and rain water. When the reservoir is filled, it becomes an anglers delight.

CAMPING - After Opening Weekend, camping is permitted only at South Landing in designated site. Reservations may be made in advance, call 760-935-4301. Fee: $12 Nightly R.V. Hook-ups: $25 Nightly

DAILY USE RATES

TROUT SEASON - April 29 thru Oct. 31, 2006

TROUT LIMIT - Trout limit is five fish. No more than 2 bag limits of trout may be possessed.

***RESTRICTED FISHING SEASON*** - August 1 through Oct. 31, 2006. No Bait, barbless lures or flies only. Limit trout: 2 (18″ or longer) Perch: No limit

SAILING/WATER/JET SKI SEASON - Through October: 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

POWER BOAT REGULATIONS

**Please consult 2006 State Fishing Regulations regarding late season Trout Fishing at Crowley.

Visit http://www.crowleylakefishcamp.com for more information!

And don’t forget to pick up your copy of Trout Fishing Secrets, the perfect primer before any trip!

>> Trout Fishing Blues

This is straight from the DFG, it seems a bit dated, but this is straight from the source.

TROUT PLANTS

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

THE WEEK OF JULY 10

LOS ANGELES –- Jackson Lake and Bouquet Canyon Creek.

SAN BERNARDINO –- Big Bear Lake , Gregory Lake , Santa Ana River , Santa Ana River (South Fork).

SAN DIEGO –- Doane Pond.

INYO –- Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Lower, Middle, South Forks), Bishop Creek (Intake II), Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lake Sabrina, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Laws Bridge downstream to Steward Lane and below Tinnemaha), Rock Creek Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.

MONO –- Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, George Lake, Grant Lake, Green Creek, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek (South Fork), Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mamie Lake, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Benton Crossing Road), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Section 1), Rock Creek (Section 2), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Swauger Creek, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower and Upper), West Walker River (Section 2 and Section 3).

THE WEEK OF JULY 17

RIVERSIDE – Fulmor Lake and Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO – Green Valley Lake and Jenks Lake .

INYO – Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Lower, Middle, South Forks), Bishop Creek (Intake II), Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lake Sabrina, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Laws Bridge downstream to Steward Lane and below Tinnemaha), Rock Creek Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.

MONO –Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Grant Lake, Green Creek, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek (South Fork), Little Walker River, Mammoth Creek, Mamie Lake, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Benton Crossing Road), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Section 1), Rock Creek (Section 2), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Swauger Creek, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower and Upper), West Walker River (Section 2 and Section 3).

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THIS WEEK’S TROUT PLANTS

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked the week of June 12 with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:

LOS ANGELES — Jackson Lake.

ORANGE — Trabuco Creek.

SAN BERNARDINO — Arrowbear Lake, Green Valley Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Miller Canyon Creek, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River (South Fork).

SAN DIEGO — Doane Pond.

INYO — Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Lower, Middle, South Forks), Bishop Creek (Intake II), Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (Laws Bridge downstream to Steward Lane and below Tinnemaha), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sheperds Creek, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.

This Post Sponsored by: trout-fishing-info.blogspot.com

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Imperiled from Georgia to Maine by decades of pollution, poor land management and competition from nonnative brown and rainbow cousins, “brookies” are regaining a foothold in the country’s most visited national park on the Tennessee-North Carolina line.

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