California DFG to Plant Fish at Sycamore Island Park for the First Time
OutdoorHub 04.04.12
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will begin planting rainbow trout at Sycamore Island Park for the first time this April.
Stocking will begin with an initial release this spring with plans to continue through next winter and early spring, giving anglers an opportunity to enjoy one of the state’s most popular outdoor activities.
“This will provide important trout fishing opportunities in the Fresno area,” said DFG Environmental Program Manager Gerald Hatler. “We are pleased that these fish will also add to the excitement and challenge of fishing by providing a reward to fishing enthusiasts.”
Sycamore Island is owned and operated by the San Joaquin River Conservancy. Frank Bigelow, the chairman of the Conservancy Board and member of the Madera County Board of Supervisors, said, “We are pleased to work with the Department of Fish and Game to provide new recreational fishing experiences for our visitors.”
This is the first time that Sycamore Island has been stocked by DFG, as part of the agency’s commitment to increase opportunities for fishing in the Fresno and Madera areas. Other popular fish species inhabit Sycamore Island Park, including largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish and crappie.
The planted trout are between a half and three-quarter pounds each and are raised at the San Joaquin Hatchery near the town of Friant. A portion of the fish will have $10 reward tags. Anglers who catch these fish can return the tags to DFG to provide biologists with catch information and claim the reward.
