CalTrout and the Fall River Conservancy recently secured a major legal victory for our native trout. The Fall River will now be treated as a single regulated entity for catch and release angling with barbless artificial lures, open all year. This builds upon CalTrout’s history of conservation on the Fall River, which started in our founding year of 1971.
What changed?
Previously, the Fall River had different regulations for its tributaries. These new regulations treat the Fall River complex as a single unified system with the same regulations across all water, including Bear Creek, a major spawning tributary. Regulations previously applied during a set time period, approximately Memorial Day to September 30. Now, catch and release angling will be open all year. How anglers can fish also changed with the new regulations mandating artificial lures with barbless hooks be used to protect this important wild trout fishery. Previously, anglers were allowed to catch and take home two trout, but these new regulations reduce that number to zero, meaning all angling will be catch and release.
Why does this matter for fish?
CalTrout and UC Davis have spent decades studying the populations and genetics of Fall River fish in partnership with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The data collected on this fishery showed that fish move throughout the various springs, tributaries, and ponds of the Fall River complex throughout the year, necessitating a single regulation across all areas. This research allowed us to give informed advice to CDFW on their new fishing regulations that will better protect wild and native trout.
How will this affect angling on the Fall River?
The regulatory changes we won are based on years of scientific study. These changes reflect the protections we need on the Fall River to ensure that these wild fish remain healthy and thriving, while providing catch and release access for recreational anglers. This change will ensure that the blue-ribbon wild trout fishery in the Fall River will be protected into the future.
