Department of Fish and Game Casts Holiday Present To Anglers

In the Bay Area, that is.

Good news for fishermen in the Bay area, just in time for the Holidays and leisurely times 'between the years'. But what are fishermen in southern California going to do? Where are our fish?

Maybe we will find out soon. Wouldn't it be nice to hear about that before the holidays?

Well, you can go to fishinginthecity.org and find out where to fish locally in Socal. The sidebar of the site lists fishing sites in the South Bay Area and in Los Angeles/Orange County. But do not forget to bring your locally raised wild pig for assistance. Wild pigs and boar love fish - like bears.
Why not keep an eye out for wild pigs while fishing for catfish? Because there are most likely no wild pigs at the ponds and lakes listed below.

Read the full text of the DFG release.

DFG News December 16, 2011

“The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is providing supplemental fish stocking at several Bay Area lakes for the holiday season. Approximately 23,000 pounds of fish will be planted in 21 lakes around the bay area this month. Planting started this week for about 21,000 pounds of rainbow trout, many up to one pound per fish, and 2,000 pounds of catfish up to one and a half pounds each.

“The holiday season is a time for family and friends to connect and spend quality time together, and there’s no better way to do this than the time-honored tradition of fishing,” said Carl Wilcox, Regional Manager for DFG’s Bay Delta Region. “DFG has made it even easier to buy a license for yourself or someone else with our Automated License Data System. With the lakes stocked and your license just a mouse click away, all that’s left to do is show up and enjoy yourself.”

A fishing license is required of all anglers age 16 or older and all fishing regulations apply. Some lakes may also require a daily fishing permit. Annual licenses and gift vouchers can be purchased online at www.dfg.ca.gov/onlinesales.

The enhanced stocking is coordinated through DFG’s Fishing in the City Program, utilizing trout produced by DFG hatcheries and an additional supply of trout and catfish procured from private vendors through program resources.

Since 1993, the Fishing in the City program has supported opportunities for fishing near where people live and work. This is accomplished through fish stocking, habitat improvement and learn-to-fish clinics for youth. The program is funded through the Sportfish Restoration Fund, an excise tax on the sale of fishing tackle and motor boat fuel. DFG trout hatcheries receive funding from the sales of sport fishing licenses.

The following lakes will be stocked as a part of this special program. (Listings include county, lake and number of pounds planted).

Holiday Fish Plant Schedule

Week of December 12, 2011

Bon Tempe Reservoir, Marin County, 2,000 pounds of rainbow trout

Campbell Percolation Ponds, Santa Clara County, 700 lbs of rainbow trout

Contra Loma, Contra Costa County, 500 lbs of rainbow trout

Heather Farms, Contra Costa County, 500 lbs of rainbow trout

Hidden Valley Lakes, Contra Costa County, 500 pounds of rainbow trout

Lafayette Reservoir, Contra Costa County, 500 lbs of rainbow trout

Lake Chabot, Solano County, 500 lbs of rainbow trout

Lake Cunningham, Santa Clara County, 600 lbs of rainbow trout

Lake Lagunitas, Marin County, 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout

Lake Merced, north, San Francisco, 500 lbs of rainbow trout

Pinto Lake, Monterey County 4,000 lbs of rainbow trout

Week of December 19, 2011

Bon Tempe Reservoir, 500 pounds of rainbow trout

Campbell Percolation Ponds, Santa Clara County, 500 lbs of rainbow trout

Heather Farms, Contra Costa County, 500 lbs of catfish

Hidden Valley Lakes, Contra Costa County, 500 pounds of catfish

Lafayette Reservoir, Contra Costa County, 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout

Lake Cunningham, Santa Clara County, 500 lbs of catfish

Lake Cunningham, Santa Clara County, 750 lbs of rainbow trout

Lake Elizabeth, Alameda County, 500 pounds of rainbow trout

Lake Ralphine, Sonoma County, 300 pounds of rainbow trout

Lake Temescal, Alameda County, 250 pounds of catfish

Lake Temescal, Alameda County, 400 pounds of rainbow trout

Lakeshore Park, Alameda County, 250 pounds of catfish

Lakeshore Park, Alameda County, 500 pounds of rainbow trout

Pinto Lake, Monterey County 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout

Sandy Wool Reservoir, Santa Clara County, 750 pounds of rainbow trout

Week of December 26, 2011

Campbell Percolation Ponds, Santa Clara County, 500 lbs of rainbow trout

Horseshoe Lake (Quarry), 500 pounds of rainbow trout

Lake Chabot, Solano County, 500 lbs of rainbow trout

Lake Merced nNorth, San Francisco, 500 lbs of rainbow trout

Lake Raphine, Sonoma County, 750 pounds rainbow trout

Shadow Cliffs, Alameda County, 500 pounds of rainbow trout

Spring Valley Pond, Santa Clara County, 250 pounds of rainbow trout

All plants subject to change without notice.

For more information, visit the Fishing in the City web site at www.fishinginthecity.org.”