This act shall be known as the Trout and Steelhead Conservation and Management Planning Act of 1979.
Chapter 7.2Trout Management
Section § 1725
This law is officially called the Trout and Steelhead Conservation and Management Planning Act of 1979. Its purpose is to focus on the conservation and management of trout and steelhead fish species.
Trout conservation Steelhead management fish species protection wildlife conservation fisheries management species conservation California fish conservation trout management steelhead conservation fish habitat preservation aquatic ecosystems environmental protection fish population management natural resource management fishery policy
Section § 1726
This section outlines California's commitment to preserving wild trout populations. The state aims to establish these fish in accessible and remote waters, prioritizing native species. Angling rules will support the natural reproduction of wild trout, and the stocking of nonnative or hatchery-raised fish that could harm native ecosystems is discouraged.
The Legislature hereby finds and declares that it is the policy of the state to do all of the following:
(a)CA Fish and Game Code § 1726(a) Establish and maintain wild trout stocks, that, to the extent possible, should be native fish, in suitable waters of the state that are readily accessible to the general public as well as in those waters in remote areas.
(b)CA Fish and Game Code § 1726(b) Establish angling regulations designed to maintain the wild trout fishery in those waters by natural reproduction.
(c)CA Fish and Game Code § 1726(c) Discourage artificial planting of hatchery-raised hybrid and nonnative fish species in wild trout waters or in other areas that would adversely affect native aquatic and nonaquatic species.
wild trout preservation native fish species natural reproduction angling regulations hatchery-raised fish nonnative fish species aquatic ecosystem wildlife conservation fish stocking policies wild trout fishery environmental protection public fishing access remote fishing areas trout management native aquatic species
Section § 1726.1
This section highlights the importance of California's long history with fish hatcheries and their role in managing natural resources. It underscores the need for sustainable management to improve fishing opportunities while preserving native trout species and their habitats. Maintaining the genetic diversity of native trout and protecting cold water ecosystems are essential for healthy fish populations and fishing activities. The law also emphasizes the state's commitment to enhancing recreational fishing experiences.
The Legislature further finds and declares all of the following:
(a)CA Fish and Game Code § 1726.1(a) Hatchery production and stocking of California’s waters started over 140 years ago and is an enduring part of California’s history and attempts to steward its natural resources.
(b)CA Fish and Game Code § 1726.1(b) Sustainable and adaptive management provides and improves recreational angling opportunities while protecting and
maintaining native and wild trout fisheries, other species, and their mutual habitat.
(c)CA Fish and Game Code § 1726.1(c) Management of the genetic diversity of California’s native trout species is imperative.
(d)CA Fish and Game Code § 1726.1(d) Habitat restoration and the protection of cold water ecosystems are both of utmost importance to maintaining healthy wild trout populations, ensuring and promoting angler opportunities, and the sustainability of the inland trout fishery.
(e)CA Fish and Game Code § 1726.1(e) The department shall seek to provide and enhance diverse recreational angling opportunities in California.
hatchery production recreational angling native trout species genetic diversity habitat restoration cold water ecosystems wild trout populations sustainable management fishing opportunities natural resources trout fisheries angler opportunities inland trout fishery fish population sustainability trout habitat protection
Section § 1726.4
This law clarifies that 'trout' includes steelhead trout for its purposes. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife must keep a detailed inventory of all trout streams and lakes to decide on the best fishing regulations. They focus on streams and lakes with high potential for big wild trout, rare species, or threatened fisheries. The inventory includes assessments and recommendations for each location to help it thrive as a fishery, considering public use.
This section also notes that it doesn't give anyone new powers over private land without owner consent and maintains that private waters are only included with owner permission. Lastly, the Department has to make this inventory available on their website and aim to review every watershed every ten years.
(a)CA Fish and Game Code § 1726.4(a) For the purposes of this chapter, “trout” includes steelhead trout.
(b)CA Fish and Game Code § 1726.4(b) The department, in administering its existing wild trout program, shall maintain an inventory of all California trout streams and lakes to determine the most suitable angling regulations for each stream or lake. The department shall determine for each stream or lake
whether it should be managed as a wild trout fishery, or whether its management should involve the temporary planting of native trout species to supplement wild trout populations that is consistent with this chapter. In maintaining the inventory, the department shall give priority to those streams and lakes that have the highest biological potential for producing sizeable wild trout, which are inhabited by rare species, or where the quality of the fishery is threatened or endangered and take into consideration public use. The biological and physical inventories prepared and maintained for each stream, stream system, or lake shall include an assessment of the resource status, threats to the continued well-being of the fishery resource, the potential for fishery resource development, and recommendations, including necessary changes in the allowed take of trout, for the development of each stream or lake to its full capacity as a fishery, consistent with this chapter.
(c)CA Fish and Game Code § 1726.4(c) This section does not provide any public entity or private party with any new or additional authority to affect the management of, or access to, any private land without the written consent of the owner. Privately owned lakes and ponds not open to the use of the general public shall be subject to this section only with the written consent of the owner. This chapter shall not be construed as authorizing or requiring special treatment of adjacent land areas or requiring land use restrictions. It is the intent of the Legislature that this chapter should not diminish the existing authority of the department.
(d)CA Fish and Game Code § 1726.4(d) The department shall make the inventory maintained pursuant to subdivision (b) publicly available on the department’s Internet Web site and the department shall continuously revise that inventory with the goal of reviewing every watershed once per decade.
trout inventory steelhead trout wild trout program California trout streams angling regulations wild trout fishery native trout planting biological potential rare trout species fishery development public access private land consent fishery resource assessment watershed review Department of Fish and Wildlife
Section § 1726.5
This law section explains that the activities and programs under this chapter are an extension of the existing wild trout program and similar programs. These activities will be funded using the current budget without needing additional funds.
The Legislature further finds and declares that activities and programs mandated by this chapter are a continuation and perpetuation of the department’s existing wild trout program and other programs, and as such they shall be funded from existing budgetary resources.
wild trout program program continuation funding from existing resources budgetary resources program perpetuation department programs existing wild trout program legislature funding departmental mandate program funding continuity
Section § 1727
This section ensures California has a variety of fishing experiences by maintaining and expanding the wild trout program. It requires the department in charge to identify at least 25 miles of streams and one lake each year to potentially become wild trout areas. The list is submitted for approval in October.
The commission can remove any designated wild trout waters, but if they do, they must replace them with an equivalent amount. Each designated area must have a management plan within three years, and these plans need updates every five years.
(a)CA Fish and Game Code § 1727(a) In order to provide for a diversity of available angling experiences throughout the state, it is the intent of the Legislature that the commission maintain the existing wild trout program, and as part of the program, develop additional wild trout waters in the more than 20,000 miles of trout streams and approximately 5,000 lakes containing trout in California.
(b)CA Fish and Game Code § 1727(b) The department shall prepare a list of no less than 25 miles of stream or stream segments and at least one lake that it deems suitable for designation as wild trout waters. The department shall submit this list to the commission for its consideration at the regular October commission
meeting.
(c)CA Fish and Game Code § 1727(c) The commission may remove any stream or lake that it has designated as a wild trout fishery from the program at any time. If any of those waters are removed from the program, an equivalent amount of stream mileage or an equivalent size lake shall be added to the wild trout program.
(d)CA Fish and Game Code § 1727(d) The department shall prepare and complete management plans for all wild trout waters not more than three years following their initial designation by the commission and update the management plan every five years following completion of the initial management plan.
wild trout program fishing experiences trout streams trout lakes designation process wild trout waters California trout habitats angling diversity trout management plans stream segments lake designation commission's role habitat conservation trout fisheries environmental management
Section § 1728
This law requires the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to update its Strategic Plan for Trout Management every five years. The plan's goal is to ensure thriving wild and native trout populations, enhance fishing opportunities, conserve trout, and promote environmental sustainability.
The plan should guide trout management through adaptive practices such as appropriate stocking methods and maintaining genetic diversity. It must also involve public input and include measures to monitor and evaluate management effectiveness.
The department must create specific management plans for designated wild trout waters within three years of their designation and update them every five years. Before these plans are executed, they undergo a review process for compliance with management practices and scientific standards. Finally, all plans must be accessible to the public on the department's website.
(a)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(a) Every five years the department shall update the Strategic Plan for Trout Management published in November 2003 as necessary to guide the state’s trout management.
(b)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(b) The Strategic Plan for Trout Management shall be intended to ensure all of the following:
(1)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(b)(1) Thriving and
self-sustaining, wild and native trout populations throughout their historic ranges.
(2)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(b)(2) Providing and improving angling opportunities for wild and native trout and other trout.
(3)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(b)(3) Providing for the conservation of wild and native trout.
(4)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(b)(4) Environmental sustainability and overall ecosystem and watershed health.
(c)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(c) The Strategic Plan for Trout Management shall be guided by all of the following considerations:
(1)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(c)(1) Adaptively managing trout populations, including, but not limited to, stocking practices, to establish thriving and self-sustaining native and wild trout fisheries in wild trout waters and, where possible, in other waters.
(2)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(c)(2) Increasing angler satisfaction.
(3)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(c)(3) Ensuring appropriate age distribution of wild trout when appropriate.
(4)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(c)(4) Establishing ecologically and environmentally sustainable hatchery and stocking practices for native trout, including, but not limited to, the following:
(A)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(c)(4)(A) Hatchery and stocking practices consistent with this chapter.
(B)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(c)(4)(B) Stocking plans shall include consideration of angler satisfaction and public use of, and access to, the waters for angling. This may include, but is not limited to, harvest and catch rates, including, but not limited to, trophy catch rates, the potential for high angler satisfaction, and where appropriate, put and grow stocking.
(C)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(c)(4)(C) Native trout
shall be preferentially stocked when stocking is employed.
(D)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(c)(4)(D) Designing stocking plans to maintain and optimize the genetic diversity of trout populations and to be consistent with the direction provided by the strategic trout management team.
(E)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(c)(4)(E) Stocking plans for species listed in Section 7261 shall not exceed the documented biological carrying capacity of the water or ecosystem.
(5)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(c)(5) Integrating stakeholder involvement into the planning process.
(6)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(c)(6) Monitoring and evaluating management processes through angler surveys, public meetings coordinated with county fish and game commissions, or by other means.
(d)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(d) The department shall prepare and complete trout management plans consistent
with the Strategic Plan for Trout Management for all wild trout waters not more than three years following their initial designation by the commission. The department shall update the management plan every five years or as necessary following completion of the initial management plan. The department shall prepare trout management plans for other waters consistent with the Strategic Plan for Trout Management as appropriate.
(e)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(e) Before implementation, the Strategic Plan for Trout Management produced by the department shall be reviewed by the strategic trout management team, the hatchery operations committee, and an ad hoc peer review committee convened by the department to ensure compliance with sound management practices, improved genetic diversity, and use of the best available scientific information.
(f)CA Fish and Game Code § 1728(f) The Strategic Plan for Trout Management and plans completed pursuant to
subdivision (d) shall be publicly available on the department’s Internet Web site.
Strategic Plan for Trout Management trout populations wild and native trout angling opportunities ecosystem health adaptive management stocking practices angler satisfaction genetic diversity stakeholder involvement monitoring and evaluation trout management plans public availability environmental sustainability peer review
Section § 1729
This law mandates that California prioritizes stocking native fish species produced in hatcheries, but only in areas where it won't harm endangered species. Hatchery trout are meant to support fishing activities and accessibility, including in city areas. The department can provide educational resources to encourage awareness of sustainable fishing and ecosystem health. Educational programs using hatcheries are also encouraged. All stocked trout must not reproduce, with some exceptions for certain uses like brood stock and isolated waters. The department is also encouraged to conduct surveys to understand anglers' preferences but should prioritize scientific data for managing trout fisheries. Finally, angling regulations should be periodically reviewed and adjusted to align with California's strategic fisheries plan.
(a)CA Fish and Game Code § 1729(a) The department shall give priority to stocking native hatchery-produced species in California’s waters, where stocking is determined to be appropriate by the department. Stocking of hatchery-produced fish is not appropriate in all of California’s waters, including, but not limited to, stocking in California’s waters that would adversely affect species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.) or the California Endangered
Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3).
(b)CA Fish and Game Code § 1729(b) Hatchery-produced trout shall be stocked to support sustainable angling recreation and promote angler access to trout fishing, including, but not limited to, urban fisheries.
(c)CA Fish and Game Code § 1729(c) The department may provide outreach and educational materials to all anglers to promote awareness of environmental sustainability, ecosystem health, fish genetics, angling opportunities, and fish population management.
(d)CA Fish and Game Code § 1729(d) Educational programs utilizing the hatcheries shall be encouraged.
(e)CA Fish and Game Code § 1729(e) The department shall ensure that all trout stocked in waters of the state for recreational purposes are unable to reproduce through triploidy or other means, with the exception of fish planted into brood stock
lakes, surplus brood stock planted according to fishery management decisions, fish planted to supplement waters that the department has determined to be genetically isolated from native fish populations, and native trout species produced for recovery and restoration within their native range.
(f)CA Fish and Game Code § 1729(f) The department may develop, conduct, and respond to regular angler preference and satisfaction surveys. This is not a substitute for a preferred scientific data collection and monitoring program that would facilitate adaptive management of California’s inland trout fisheries.
(g)CA Fish and Game Code § 1729(g) The department shall review angling regulations periodically and adjust those regulations to ensure consistency with the strategic plan described in Section 1728.
native fish stocking hatchery trout sustainable angling urban fisheries environmental sustainability fish genetics angling opportunities fish population management educational programs trout reproduction control angler surveys adaptative management inland trout fisheries angling regulations review strategic fisheries plan
Section § 1730
This section requires that by January 1, 2014, a strategic trout management team is created within the department to manage trout populations across California.
They will use the Strategic Plan for Trout Management to guide their efforts, working with local communities to focus on watershed-level management and monitoring.
The team will also develop conservation-based management plans for different basins throughout the state, ensuring these plans are consistent statewide.
An ad hoc peer review committee will review these plans to ensure they follow good management practices and use the best scientific data available.
(a)CA Fish and Game Code § 1730(a) By January 1, 2014, the department shall form an intradepartmental strategic trout management team to provide direction and oversee trout management statewide. Working under the framework of the Strategic Plan for Trout Management, the strategic trout management team shall direct and implement focused management and monitoring efforts for trout at the watershed level, in cooperation with local stakeholders.
(b)CA Fish and Game Code § 1730(b) The strategic trout management team shall be responsible for developing basin management plans that are conservation based and are consistent throughout California for inland watersheds.
(c)CA Fish and Game Code § 1730(c) The basin plans in subdivision (b) shall be reviewed by an ad hoc peer review committee, which may be convened under the guidance of the department’s Science Institute to ensure compliance with sound management practices and utilization of the best available scientific information.
trout management strategic trout team watershed management conservation plans basin management plans local stakeholders ad hoc peer review Science Institute scientific information strategic plan for trout inland watersheds statewide consistency natural resource management environmental monitoring fishery conservation
