36 



DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 



In addition to tliesc, spot censuses \\ere made of 

 many individual waters. 



Inland Trout Studies 

 W'itli the advent of reorganization, most of the 

 previous trout investigations \\ere shifted to a new 

 Dingeii-Johnson project, F-8-R, "Trout Management 

 Study." Bv the start of the IQ.H fishing season, this 

 project \\as well under way with six principal jobs or 

 subprojects: 



(T) Casfle Lake, Siskiyou County 



The rainbow trout phase of the Castle Lake investi- 

 gation was begun in 1952, and since then only this 

 species has been planted. Brook trout continue to 

 maintain themselves without further stocking. Pre- 

 viously brook trout had been planted, and it was found 

 that \\ hen they alone were present the return to the 

 angler of planted fingerlings was 3.'i percent. Return 

 of catchable brooks was 43 percent. Prior to chemical 

 treatment of the lake in 1946, the brook trout were 

 pre\ed upon by browns and lake trout (mackinaw) 

 and never attained the age of more then three years. In 

 addition, the natural reproduction of the brooks is sur- 

 prisingly successful. 



Prior to chemical treatment, the catch of naturally 

 spawned brooks \\"as insignificant, while now the wild 

 fish dominate the catch. The carryover of fall-spawn- 

 ing rainbow catchables is reasonably good. A compari- 

 son was made between rainbow fingerlings planted bv 

 air and by truck. To date the angler catch of truck- 

 planted fish from Castle Lake is rvvice that of the 

 plane-planted ones. 



(2) Rush Creek, Mono County 



Prior to 1953 only rainbow had been planted in this 

 test stream. Most of these were fall-spawning catch- 



jT- l ^^4i 



ir\ 



CHECKING STATION 



ables and the plant was characterized by a very high 

 return to the angler almost immediately after planting. 

 There was almost no carryover to the next year and 

 no natural propagation. 



Beginning in 1953, only brown trout have been 

 planted. These were catchables, and it was found that 

 onh- 20 percent were caught in the first season. How- 

 ever, in the case of the browns, there is a very good 

 carryover and excellent natural reproduction. In 1954 

 the wild browns dominated the catch. 



(3) Feather River 



Proposed hydroelectric developments by the Pa- 

 cific Gas and Electric Company will divert most of 

 the water from the Caribou-Gansner Bar section of 

 the Feather River by 1956. By making a complete 

 creel census of this river section for three years prior 

 to the diversion and for about five years afterward, 

 it is expected that effects of such a diversion on the 

 fishery can be detected. This is one of the richest 

 sections of rainbow stream in California and is com- 

 pletely accessible by road. It contains an excellent 

 native rainbow population and the catch is high both 

 in numbers and pounds. 



(4) Lakes Basin Recreation Area, 

 Sierra and Plumas Counties 



Here, a^partial creel census is being made to test a 

 large number of management practices. Approxi- 

 mately 18 natural trout lakes can be checked by two 

 attendants, but it is not yet known how many of 

 these will be needed for experiments. Three lakes 

 have already been stocked with marked trout. Tests 

 will be made in the form of comparisons, and no at- 

 tempt will be made to determine total catches. 



Adequate statistical samples will indicate which of 

 two or more contrasting methods is best. In one lake 

 four strains of rainbow were planted in 1953 to see 

 which is best for lakes of this type. In a second lake 

 both catchable and fingerling browns are being 

 planted to see which is better. In a third lake brook 

 fingerlings are being planted by air and by truck to 

 see which is better. 



(5) State-wide Brown Trout Project 



In addition to the Rush Creek project, information 

 on that somewhat controversial species, the brown 

 trout, is being gathered throughout the State. Part of 

 the program calls for population studies based on 

 electro-fishing or shocking. These will show the suc- 

 cess of various methods of brown trout management 

 and will indicate which types of streams are suitable 

 for browns and which are not. Test waters are scat- 

 tered throughout the State with both staff and re- 

 gional personnel participating in the work. 



Checking station lor Rush Creek Test Stream m Mono County. Tests 

 determine relative merits ol brown and rainbow trout for this stream. 



