Assessing the Wild Trout Fishery

The Heritage and Wild Trout Program of the California Department of Fish and Game is currently evaluating the Interdam Reach (IDR) from Monticello dam to Lake Solano for Wild Trout designation. Putah Creek Trout is providing volunteer resources to HWTP to help them conduct their evaluation. The evaluation is currently in Phase 2 of 3 phases. Once the fishery is surveyed, appropriate steps to improve its management can be undertaken. Current studies include electro-fishing surveys to determine status of the wild fish populations throughout the creek and assessments of spawning success during the wintertime low flows by surveying selected spawning areas. Additional proposed studies include enhancement of spawning habitat and genetic studies to determine the wild fish origins.

You can help by filling out an angler survey after every time you fish the creek - even if you don’t catch anything. Completed surveys help determine the status and health of the current population in regards to age and size distributions and angler success. Angler survey boxes are located in the parking lots near the Hwy 128 bridge and Access 5 and the turnout below Access 5. We have also developed an online version of the survey which is transmitted to the DFG. Complete a survey online. Learn more about the Wild Trout Program.

Enforcement

Fishing with bait and barbed hooks and taking of fish, now illegal under the current of the current regulations, is an ongoing issue on Putah Creek. PCT has posted regulations signs and is working with DFG enforcement to improve compliance. We have developed an online form to report suspicious activity on the creek that will be forwarded to the appropriate authority. When you see illegal activity please report it.