[Water_news] 3. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: WATERSHEDS - 12/28/07

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

December 28, 2007

 

3. Watersheds

 

Steve Carson's 'Outdoors' column: Year marked by huge fish catches to massive oil spill in the Bay

Chico Enterprise Record – 12/28/07

By Steve Carson, columnist

 

The best and worst of 2007

 

A recap of some of the most notable local, statewide and national outdoors-related stories from the past year.

 

January

 

Some 10,000 Feather River-strain steelhead in the 12-inch range are experimentally planted in the Thermalito Afterbay. It was the first such planting in more than 20 years, and resulted in a unique fishing opportunity that kept going most of the year.

 

The Smith River was the site of the capture of a pair of steelhead that were both over 26 pounds, which were the largest steelhead caught in California in decades. Oroville angler Roy Heape also landed a 23.1-pound steelie on the Mad River.

 

February

 

The Butte County Fish and Game Commission issues its 2008 financial grant list, funded by the county's share of citations written within its borders. Recipients were: Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation, $895; Bidwell Wildlife Rehab Center, $2,500; Big Chico Creek Environmental Reserve, $4,000; Lake Oroville Florida Bass Project, $5,000; Chico Creek Nature Center, $979; Gridley Kid's Fishing Day, $3,000; Chico Kid's Fishing Day, $3,000; Oroville Kid's Fishing Day, $3,000; Paradise Lake Kids Fishing Day, $3,000; Paradise Parks Department Kids Fishing Day, $2,000; Snow Goose Festival, $2,000.

 

March

 

The much-anticipated Sturgeon Report cards become part of the licensing requirement for all sturgeon anglers. The card includes a yearly bag limit total of three white sturgeon, and an allowable slot limit of 46 to 66 inches.

 

A five-fish limit totaling 26.25 pounds caught during an Anglers Choice tournament may be the heaviest bass stringer ever caught on Lake Oroville. All five fish were Florida-strain largemouth, and the topper was a 9.57-pounder.

 

April

 

A huge 15.48-pound Florida-strain largemouth bass caught on Easter Sunday by Mark Rigsby of Yuba City establishes a new record for Lake Oroville. The big bass was thought to be a broodstock fish that was part of the BBAC/Chico Bass Club Florida-strain stocking program, and was released alive back into the lake.

 

May

 

Local anglers Mike Gaston and Dennis Jacobs of Chico, Larry Gaston of Oroville and Andy Zuwalt of Durham journey north to Alaska to compete in the Berkley Alaska Grand Slam Tournament at Kingfisher Lodge in Sitka. All four get plenty of northern exposure and Jacobs nailed a pair of 108-pound halibut to top the group's catches.

 

A new California state record for smallmouth bass is established by a 9.83-pound smallie taken from Lake Pardee, topping the 31-year-old record from Trinity Lake.

 

June

 

The award-winning "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" children's fishing events in both Chico and Oroville take place at Horseshoe Lake and Bedrock Park respectively, and are again a smashing success.

 

A new world record was set for rainbow trout when a massive 43.6-pound specimen was landed in Saskatchewan, Canada, on just 6-pound test line.

 

July

 

The Butte County Fish and Game Commission meeting includes a warden's report outlining the special enforcement funding for the Oroville Wildlife Area provided by the re-licensing of Oroville Dam. The Department of Fish and Game's Lt. Dan Castillo related working a nighttime detail that resulted in 50 citations in a single night. Butte County's DFG biologist Henry Lomeli recounted that he had 53 nuisance wildlife calls in June alone, mostly for mountain lions, bears and raccoons.

 

Very slow salmon fishing on the Feather and Sacramento Rivers is a disappointment to many anglers, although some big individual fish are seen.

 

August

 

Reports of "sores" on Lake Oroville's bass population are likely the result of the parasite Epistylis, according to Department of Water Resources biologist Eric See. The parasite appears to be more prevalent during low-water years, but is not usually fatal to fish.

 

The discovery of the invasive and highly destructive Quagga mussels in four California lakes sends a chill though the hearts of water facility managers throughout the state.

 

September

 

The third annual "Catch a Special Thrill" (CAST) event sees 56 handicapped children go out on Lake Oroville for a day of pro-style bass fishing that they will never forget.

 

Perhaps the worst salmon season in living memory on the Sacramento River has local anglers, fishery managers and government officials scratching their heads for answers.

 

October

 

The Butte County Fish and Game Commission meeting includes a biologist report that indicates local deer being checked in by hunters are in average condition. However, the local bears are in very poor physical condition. The bears have little or no fat on them due to the state's bear population being at an all time high, with lots of competition for limited food sources.

 

A new California state record for a five-fish limit of smallmouth bass was set on Trinity Lake during a Red Bluff Anglers' Club tournament. The new record of 27.7 pounds was set by Bill Prince of Red Bluff Sporting Goods, while using a "made in Chico" custom rod from Raptor Rod Works.

 

November

 

Some 150,000 juvenile coho salmon are planted in Lake Oroville. The tiny silvers are in the 7- to 9-inch range, and are expected to grow at least an inch a month in the lake. However, the DWR will not be planting steelhead in the Thermalito Afterbay this year.

 

A huge oil spill due to a ship colliding with a bridge in San Francisco Bay temporarily closes all fishing activities in the Bay Area.

 

December

 

A major fish kill due to water pumping on the Delta involving thousands of striped bass, salmon, delta smelt and numerous other fish species shocks the fishing and conservation communities throughout the state.

 

The $100 barrier is finally broken, as 2008 fishing license prices show that a California resident who fishes and scuba dives in all waters for all species throughout the state will pay a whopping $102.30 for a fishing license.  #

 

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

http://www.chicoer.com/sports/ci_7825574

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