OUTDOOR NOTES / PETE THOMAS : Anglers Don’t Hook These Catfish, They Simply Trip Them

You know there is trouble when gruesome-looking, long-whiskered fish are slithering out of the water at night to prey.

It is happening in Arizona, where six walking catfish have been caught in Roosevelt Lake, one of the largest and most popular reservoirs in the state.

Wildlife officials are not taking this apparent intrusion lightly, because the fish, which can survive for hours on dry land, threaten to overrun other catfish and possibly even the reservoir’s more glamorous game fish. The walking catfish also could spread to other areas.

“Walking catfish are extremely voracious,” said Joe Janisch, a fisheries supervisor with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “They will eat everything from other fish and insects to potatoes and rolled oats--they will even come out of the water at night to get more prey such as insects and frogs.”

Walking catfish, from the family Clariidae , are commonly found in the Nile region of Africa, and are prohibited in many states, including Arizona and California. Officials speculated that they were introduced illegally into Roosevelt.

The fish, which have extremely long whiskers and long fins that run the length of their backs and bellies, giving them the appearance of an eel, grow to only about 32 inches, but they produce in such large numbers that they could replace the flathead catfish and harm other fisheries as well.

“We just don’t know what their effect would be on such popular game species as bass, crappie and bluegill, or on the shad population, which is critical to most game fish,” Janisch said.

He also said there is nothing the department can do to eradicate the fish if they should become well established in the reservoir, or if they should spread through the Salt River chain of lakes in central Arizona.

“That’s the scary part, there’s nothing you can do,” Janisch said. “You can’t go in and drain the reservoir and start over. You’re stuck with them.”

Also in Arizona, a cooperative plan has been announced for Lake Havasu, where walking catfish have yet to be found.

The 45-mile long reservoir on the lower Colorado River, within a day’s drive from four of the nation’s largest population centers, including Los Angeles, will be the focus of a $27-million fisheries improvement project, according to an announcement by the Bureau of Land Management and the state’s conservation group, Anglers United.

Habitat enhancement and the construction of facilities around the shoreline are included in the 10-year project.

Cindy Adkins of the California Department of Fish and Game has shed some light on her encounter last Sunday with a fisherman using a throw net to trap fish in Piru Creek.

Ricardo Urbina of Arleta was cited by the warden below the wild-trout section of the creek, which has become a favorite among poachers using Hawaiian-style throw nets because it is narrow.

Charges will be filed against Urbina “for netting and failing to produce equipment upon demand,” Adkins said.

Urbina was found in possession of a number of small suckers, Adkins said. No trout were found. A net Adkins found hidden in the creek will be used as evidence.

“Last year I arrested 22 netters in that area,” Adkins said. “Some were in the wild trout section. . . . the major amount of trout were taken out of that area.”

In two of those cases, 12 men were responsible for the combined take of 370 trout. That represents a significant percentage of the trout in the 1.3-mile section of river, which in 1990 was designated as one of only two wild-trout fisheries in Los Angeles County.

Adkins says the DFG does not have enough staff to stop the illegal method of fishing, but says the public can help by calling as soon as possible after witnessing poaching. During business hours, call the DFG dispatcher at (310) 590-5132. After business hours, call the L.A. State Police at (213) 620-4700.

Briefly

SALTWATER--The local fleet from Ventura south has been reporting impressive catches of barracuda, bonito and calico bass around Catalina Island. A king salmon was caught aboard one of Ventura Sportfishing’s boats on Sunday, which might generate a more extensive search because the fish occasionally congregate off the Ventura coast during spring. Top fish: an 8-pound calico bass taken Saturday aboard a half-day boat out of Helgren’s Sportfishing in Oceanside.

Long-range: The Royal Polaris returned from its annual 22-day trip to Clipperton Island on Monday. The count: 139 wahoo, 318 yellowfin tuna, 82 grouper and one blue marlin.

Eight of the yellowfin weighed more than 200 pounds, the largest a 240-pounder caught by Jim Noble of Park City, Utah. Several tuna, between 10 and 50 pounds, were released.

Cabo San Lucas: Fishing has slowed, perhaps because of the recent full moon, but blue marlin remain active. Top fish: a 559-pound blue caught by Jerry Kechler of Santa Rosa, who was fishing aboard the Gaviota IV. Striped marlin and yellowfin tuna--some in the 100-pound class--are providing fairly steady action.

Loreto: Dorado fishing is improving, with larger fish showing regularly east of Punta Lobos. The presence of yellowfin tuna, some to 50 pounds, is another indication that the summer season is beginning.

FLY-FISHING--At East Fork Fly Fishing in Irvine: Beginner and intermediate tying, by Bob Moyer Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost is $50; Beginner basics, a six-week mini-series, will be held Wednesdays, beginning May 27, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $10 apiece for the first five classes and $20 for the final class. Details: (714) 724-8840 . . . At Bob Marriott’s in Fullerton: Hal Paterson and Mark Walpin, two-day classes, beginning this Saturday and Sunday, Cost per class is $100; Salmon fly-tyer Jim Carpenter, a two-day class at May 29-30. Details:(714) 525-1827. . . . The San Gabriel Valley FlyFishers is offering free casting clinics starting May 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Whittier Narrows Visitor Center. Details: (310) 696-0676.