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MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The Mendocino National Forest has released its draft environmental impact statement, or DEIS, on the Pine Mountain Late-Successional Reserve Habitat Protection and Enhancement project.
The DEIS is posted online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=13615 .
The proposed action involves fuels reduction and habitat enhancement treatments on approximately 8,000 acres southwest of Lake Pillsbury in the Pine Mountain vicinity.
The project area was chosen for treatment based on past fire history and the need to improve forest health and resilience to fire, insects and disease.
Comments on the proposed action and preliminary alternatives will be accepted for 45 calendar days following publication in the Federal Register on May 5, 2017.
This period is intended to provide an opportunity to comment on the project prior to the development of the final EIS.
For information contact: Frank Aebly, Covelo and Upper Lake district ranger, at the Upper Lake office, 10025 Elk Mountain Road, Upper Lake, CA 95458, by phone 707-275-1401 or email
Rainbow trout/steelhead vs coastal cutthroat trout, eating fresh-caught fish at sea,
Question: I have a question regarding regulations on non-adipose fin-clipped (“wild”) rainbow trout/steelhead and coastal cutthroat trout in tributaries on the North Coast (e.g. the lagoons in northern Humboldt County).
Anglers are not permitted to keep wild rainbow trout/steelhead but are permitted to keep wild coastal cutthroat trout. However, these two species are well known to hybridize and hybrid offspring are reproductively viable.
Hybrids also exhibit a continuous spectrum of phenotypic expression that runs from the rainbow phenotype (few spots below the lateral line, small head, maxillary terminating before the rear of the eye and no throat slashes) to the cutthroat phenotype (heavily spotted including below the lateral line, large head, maxillary extending past the rear of the eye and throat slashes present).
These phenotypes are what the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website recommends for identification of the two species, but there is no reference to the basibranchial teeth that are specific to cutthroat.
Therefore, if an angler catches a non-adipose fin-clipped trout that has no throat slashes, no spots below the lateral line, a small head and a maxillary that does not extend beyond the rear of the eye, but has basibranchial teeth, is the angler allowed to keep the trout? The fish described is likely a hybrid “cuttbow.”
Alternatively, if an angler catches a trout that outwardly looks like a coastal cutthroat but does not have basibranchial teeth, is the angler allowed to keep the trout?
Again, this fish is likely a cuttbow. (Brian P., Sacramento)
Answer: According to CDFW Environmental Program Manager Roger Bloom, it is true that rainbow trout/coastal cutthroat hybrids exist at some low level in sympatric populations.
However, based on a recent scientific study, the practice of using phenotypic traits to distinguish hybrids is not very effective.
Although the presence of basibranchial teeth are a strong indication of a cutthroat trout lineage, it should not be used exclusively as a definitive sign to retain/harvest a fish.
From a regulatory/enforcement perspective, field identification of coastal cutthroats should be based on commonly agreed upon morphology of red/orange slashes found under the jaw.
If there is a question about a fish being a hybrid coastal cutthroat crossed with a rainbow trout, anglers should err on the side of caution. It must have observable red/orange slashes if the trout is to be considered a coastal cutthroat for harvest.
Interestingly, some Central Valley hatchery steelhead may exhibit orange/yellow slashes which could stem from genetic influences via ancestral redband trout.
Hence, if an angler encounters an adipose-clipped fish that looks like a rainbow trout but has these characteristics, it can be retained/harvested as there are currently no hatchery coastal cutthroats with clipped adipose fins.
Eating fresh-caught fish while at sea?
Question: Is it legal to eat just-caught fish while still at sea? For example, if I catch a tuna, fillet it into six pieces and later that day have one piece for dinner, would that be a criminal offense under the new fillet rules? (Jim K.)
Answer: No, you are welcome to cook sport-caught fish on a vessel as long as the fish is counted toward the angler’s individual bag limit and the vessel’s boat limit.
The fish must also meet the fillet length requirements and any skin patches must be left on until the fish is prepared for immediate consumption (Fish and Game Code, sections 5508 and 5509). This applies regardless of which species is taken, and includes the new tuna fillet rules.
Remember, you cannot catch another fish to replace the one that has been eaten once the bag/boat limit has been filled for that type of fish for that day.
Ranching wild pigs on private property?
Question: Are there circumstances under which a California rancher or even a private resident can keep live wild pigs on their property? I haven’t found any regulations that specifically address this. (Mike A.)
Answer: No, it is not lawful for any California resident to possess wild pigs (Sus scrofa) (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 671(c)(2)(Q)). However, there is an exception for Sus scrofa domestica, also known as the domesticated pig one commonly sees on a farm (CCR Title 14, section 671(c)(2)(Q)(1)).
Crab hawk
Question: Is it legal to use the device called the “Crabhawk” to fish for Dungeness crabs? (Forrest L., Watsonville)
Answer: This device, which attaches to the end of a fishing line, is not legal in California.
For descriptions of legal devices that may be used to take crabs, please check CCR Title 14, section 29.80. The Crabhawk does not meet the regulatory criteria.
An alternative trap that may be attached to the end of a line is the crab loop trap. These have been legal to use in California for many years.
Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The Sycamore Grove Campground at the Red Bluff Recreation Area will become a reservation only campground beginning Wednesday, May 17.
Reservations will be accepted online through the National Recreation Reservation Service at https://www.recreation.gov or toll free at 1-877-444-6777.
“This change is being made to streamline services and improve efficiency at the campground,” said Joe Aragon, acting Grindstone District ranger.
Sycamore Grove is located just two miles from Red Bluff off Interstate 5. It has grass lawns, paved road, paved sites, tables, grills and fire rings, toilets, showers and shade trees. Ten of the 30 sites have electricity.
Additional visitor facilities include day use areas, one group campground, four miles of trails, a boat ramp and the Sacramento River Discovery Center.
For more recreation information, please check the Mendocino National Forest Web site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A Middletown man is facing several misdemeanor and felony charges for shooting a young black bear without a tag, negligent discharge of a weapon and threatening witnesses.
The District Attorney’s Office filed a case against Matthew Charles Outen on May 2.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff, who handles the agency’s cases involving poaching and wildlife, filed the case against Outen.
Hinchcliff has charged Outen with misdemeanors including unlawful taking or possessing of wildlife, taking a bear without a tag, waste of game and unlawful shooting within 150 yards of a dwelling.
Outen also is facing two felonies for negligent discharge of a firearm and threatening witnesses, Hinchcliff said.
Authorities say that on April 3 Outen killed the juvenile black bear in Middletown.
Lt. Chris Stoots of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said the incident originally was reported as a bear sighting.
He said people had gathered on a nearby bridge to watch, take videos and photograph the lanky young bear as it made its way through the creek.
The animal’s presence also was reported to the sheriff’s office and Fish and Wildlife, which had wardens respond to the area, Stoots said.
As bystanders continued to watch the bear, and before the wardens arrived, Stoots said Outen showed up, pursued the bear and shot it, according to Stoots.
Stoots said the onlookers were surprised and appalled. “There was quite the shrieking reaction from bystanders.”
Someone actually had video of Outen shooting the bear. “Officers were shown or given the video,” and from that footage were able to identify Outen, Stoots explained.
Wardens subsequently contacted Outen, who was cooperative with the investigation, Stoots said.
Outen was not arrested at that point, however, the investigation continued, with the report eventually completed and forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, according to Stoots.
Court records showed that an arraignment date has not yet been set in the case.
Adult black bears can be hunted in California, but hunters must have a bear tag. General bear hunting season opens concurrently with general deer season in August and continues until the end of December or when 1,700 bears have been reported taken, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Westside Community Park Committee will hold a two-mile and 5K Fun Walk & Run on Sunday, May 28.
This event will support future development at the park and the committee’s ongoing operation of the Jane Barnes Field.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the walk/run commencing at 8 a.m.
The start will be at the Westside Community Park, 1401 Westside Park Road. This year’s course will take participants through the future development portion of the park, across Forbes Creek and through the Puett property to Martin Street.
The finish will be at the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport’s Craft Fair located on the grounds of Natural High, 810 N. Main St. in Lakeport
The registration fee is $20. Each participant will receive a Westside Community Park T-shirt and an entrant’s bid. Pets are welcome on a leash.
Advanced registration is available at the committee’s Web site, www.westsidecommunitypark.org .
Carol Thorn, financial officer of the Westside Community Park Committee, thanked Lisa Hutton and Michelle Knudsen for allowing the run to pass through their property.
“With this year’s run passing through the back portion of the park and the Puett property participants can enjoy the natural beauty of the area,” Thorn said.
The Westside Community Park Committee is a local nonprofit group of community volunteers developing a regional recreation park for the City of Lakeport. The park is accessed from Parallel Drive just past the Matt Mazzei Auto Dealerships.
The Westside Community Park is home to the Konocti Youth Soccer League, the three Lakeport teams of the Ukiah Men’s Soccer League and is used by the Westshore Little League for its Softball and Junior League teams.
Additional facilities include a dog park, horseshoe pits and a walking trail.
The committee recently completed a bicycle pump track with financial support from the Lakeport Rotary Club.
Beach sports courts and an equestrian center are in the planning stages.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – With sprint boats set to gather for two days of racing next month, organizers for the Lakeport Sprint Boat Grand Prix are looking for vendors and community members interested in volunteering.
The Lakeport Sprint Boat Grand Prix is scheduled to take place in Lakeport at Library Park Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, June 4.
Event Chairman Jack Long has been busy procuring the event location, filing the permits and promoting the race along with building up a great sponsorship base.
“It takes all kinds of people to make this event happen. From the race management team taking tickets and managing the crowds to the watercraft crew securing the perimeter, people are needed to come together and make this event happen,” Long said.
Adults 18 and over can visit the event’s Web site and click on the volunteer tab to sign up. “There is going to be a lot of exciting boat races on Clearlake and we think people are going to want to be a part of it,” he said.
Volunteers are needed to work in two areas:
– Volunteers with a boat or personal watercraft to be part of the race course perimeter line to secure the area. They can work one or two days, and will receive as many complimentary general tickets as they work. There will be a need up to 40 crafts and drivers.
– Individuals who will be part of the race management team (supporting ticket takers, gate monitors and general support of the Sprint Boat Grand Prix management team). Approximately 20 people are needed. They will also receive a general admission ticket for each day they work. Go to www.sprintboatgrandprix.com and click on the volunteer tab for more information.
Vendors are also being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. With the record amount of visitors expected at this event from all over the West Coast, this is a prime opportunity for service organizations or vendors to make money.
The rate for vending is a flat $100 per day. No additional fees are taken out. Vendors keep 100 percent of what they sell.
Vendors can go to www.sprintboatgrandprix.com and click on the vendor tab for more information and to apply.