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CDFW presents Rough Creek restoration plan, urges more angler data for regional fisheries management
Summary
California Department of Fish and Wildlife's senior fisheries biologist briefed the Mono County Board on stocking strategy, monitoring results at Crowley and Parker lakes, concerns about East Walker winter mortality, and a $1.8 million Wildlife Conservation Board award for Rough Creek barrier and native trout restoration.
Nick Buckmaster, senior fisheries biologist based in Bishop, told the Board the region's fisheries program has three pillars — hatchery stocking, wild trout management and rare/endangered fish work — and emphasized limitations created by decades‑long data gaps. He said recent creel surveys at Crowley Lake allow the department to estimate catches and stocking efficiency for the first time in decades, and described pilot work to mark hatchery trout to track which stocking trucks produce the most sustained angler catch rates.
Buckmaster warned of declines at Parker Lake and the East Walker River, describing evidence of winter mortality tied to low flows and cold temperatures. CDFW explained it reduced bag limits at Parker and closed winter fishing in selected waters to reduce stress on age‑structured trophy populations, and recommended enhanced angler reporting and creel sampling to better guide stocking and regulation choices.
Rough Creek: Buckmaster described a newly funded, collaborative non‑native fish removal and ecosystem restoration project on Rough Creek (northeast Bodie Hills). The plan includes barrier planning and construction, non‑chemical removal (electrofishing/stunning in isolated flows), and reintroduction of Lahontan cutthroat trout and a native prey base. He said the Wildlife Conservation Board awarded approximately $1,800,000 for the project and that, if successful, the restoration would meet one of the recovery criteria for Lahontan cutthroat trout in the Walker Basin.
Board discussion focused on winter regulations, cross‑border differences with Nevada, and continuing coordination with local stakeholders and guides. Supervisors expressed interest in fisheries outreach, transparent interpretation of regulation changes, and collaboration on recreation and access planning.
What happens next: CDFW will continue monitoring and creel survey expansion, refine stocking strategies, and proceed with permitting, barrier design and phased fish removals at Rough Creek; county staff offered to coordinate on community communication and potential funding/management partners.
