OUTDOOR NOTES : Drought Takes Toll as State Hatcheries Release Trout Early

Eastern Sierra trout hatcheries are the latest victims of drought and budget problems, but fishing is still expected to be “very good” for the season opener April 27, according to the Department of Fish and Game.

Mike Haynie, manager of hatcheries in the Eastern Sierra, said that unless conditions improve, some waters in the region might not be plantable in late spring and summer.

Black Rock and Fish Springs state hatcheries already have begun early releases of some of the rainbow trout--including some too small to catch legally--into local waters in an attempt to maintain operations under adverse conditions.

The DFG said there is not enough money in the hatchery budget to reach 1991 production goals at the two hatcheries, which will result in fewer catchable trout for Eastern Sierra waters.

“We’re planting the fish now for put-and-grow in an attempt to avoid burying them later when there might not be enough waters available for planting,” fisheries Supervisor Keith Anderson said.

Southland reservoirs already have received about 300,000 fish from the two hatcheries, and many are reporting vastly improved trout fishing.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, given the blessing of the California Coastal Commission last month, has formally designated a site near a popular fishing area for the dumping of dredged sediment from Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors.

The LA-2 site, previously used for interim dumping from 1977 to ‘88, is 5.4 miles off the Palos Verdes Peninsula and about two miles from the Horseshoe Kelp. Sportfishing interests had urged the designation of a deep-water site four miles farther out.

The EPA estimated that about 200,000 cubic yards of material a year will be disposed of at LA-2, but regional administrator Daniel W. McGovern said it will be used only for material that has passed “stringent chemical and biological tests approved by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.”

“The EPA has determined that major fisheries will not be affected,” McGovern said.

The designation was issued for an indefinite period, although the EPA and the Corps will assess impact regularly and issue a report after three years. The Coastal Commission ruled that sportfishing boats also will be used to monitor dumping practices.

Briefly

FISHING--There have been reports of an early run of king salmon off the Newport Beach coast, but sportfishing landings are finding themselves unable to go after the prized sportfish. A 25-day reduction in the 1991 season was imposed to provide added protection for the Sacramento River winter-run chinook salmon--designated endangered by the California Fish and Game Commission and considered threatened by the federal government--and the season begins two weeks later than last year, running from March 2 to Nov. 3.

Yellowtail also made an early showing in local waters over the weekend, making an explosive run off Catalina Island on Saturday, when passengers aboard L.A. Harbor’s Top Gun boated 86 fish--all between 13 and 30 pounds. The vessel reported 37 yellowtail on Sunday but the bite has since slowed. The fleet eagerly awaits the start of the winter-spring white seabass run on the heels of last year’s phenomenal season.

On the long-range scene, yellowfin tuna at Mexico’s Revillagigedo Islands are making the most news. The Red Rooster III returned to Lee Palm’s in San Diego Sunday with 139 yellowfin--10 weighing more than 100 pounds and two more than 200--along with 98 wahoo and scattered catches of other species. Big fish: a 292-pound yellowfin caught by Mike Fadely of Torrance.

HUNTING--Deer hunters face a $2 deer tag application fee “to offset the costs of issuing more than 260,000 deer tags annually,” as proposed by the DFG.

The Fish and Game Commission has brought its mountain lion regulations into conformity with the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990 (Prop. 117), passed last June. As for the economic impact of the so-called mountain lion initiative, Commissioner Ben Biaggini said: “Funding for the mandated $30-million-a-year property-acquisition program (for habitat protection) was not provided through the initiative, and it is apparent to me that this required expenditure poses a threat to vital (DFG) programs.” The measure prohibits sport hunting of mountain lions in California.

BUDGET--The DFG budget for fiscal 1991-92, as proposed by Governor Pete Wilson, totals $145.5 million, about 2% higher than that for the current fiscal year. The proposed budget calls for an increase in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund--which funds hunting and angling programs, and law enforcement--and would allow for the restoration of more than 100 positions threatened by current revenue shortfalls--70 in wildlife management and about 40 in the biology dept. No layoffs of permanent DFG staff are anticipated, but minor reductions in temporary help are.

FLY-FISHING--Doug Swisher, author and teacher, will present a program at the Long Beach Casting Club’s meeting Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Recreation Park. Details: (213) 433-9408. Swisher will also be at the Wilderness Flyfishers’ meeting next Tuesday in Beverly Hills--(213) 280-3459--and at the Sespe Flyfishers’ meeting Feb. 20 in Ventura, (805) 642-4359.

INSTRUCTION--Saltwater fishing schools aboard the Prowler, out of Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego, Sunday and March 17. Ronnie Kovach and selected instructors, on the basics of lingcod fishing. Cost: $125, includes equipment and bunks. Details: (714) 840-6555; Offshore and big-game fishing, Al Zapanta, Thursdays through March 21 from 7-10 p.m., Mt. San Antonio College. Details: (714) 594-5611.