Habitat

Some trout waters I've had the good fortune to fish.

Carson River, East Fork - Hangman's Bridge & Below Carson River, East Fork - Carson Iceberg Wilderness Section Clavey River Cottonwood Lakes Eagle Lake Heenan Lake Hot Creek Kern River - Johnsondale Bridge & Below Kern River - Heritage Trout Section New! Kings River - Lower Section New! Kings River - Upstream of Pine Flat Kinney Lakes Lake Alpine Little Kern River McCloud River Merced River - Below Yosemite N.P. Merced River - Yosemite National Park Pit River New! Rogue River - Middle Section Sacramento River - Lower Section New! Saint Joes River Salmon River - Middle Fork New! Stanislaus River, Lower Stanislaus River, North Fork New! Trinity River Walker River Yuba River - Lower Section Yuba River, North Fork
 

Where to Find Trout

Look for a dramatic change in their habitat. There, you are likely to find trout along the edge of that change. Look for structure such as jagged points, large rocks, steep drop-offs, and submerged trees. Look for change in the water current. Fast to slow or a current seam. You might find a feeder stream trickling into a lake or larger river. This steam may provide additional food or oxygen to trout. These trout will face upstream and hold in slower water waiting for insects to float by.

 

Focus on Native Trout Habitat and the Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada is one of California's most beautiful and diverse landscapes. From the foothills to the summit to the dramatic slope down along the east-side, there are vast opportunities for the angler.

McCloud River in Fall Color

Large and Diverse Coldwater Fisheries

Trout live in coldwater and the Sierra Nevada provides one of North America's premiere coldwater fisheries. The Sierra Nevada and adjacent Great Basin hold a variety of trout species which inhabit the hundreds of streams, ponds, and lakes found throughout this vast range.

I do not know much about gods; but I think the river
Is a strong, brown god--sullen, untamed, and intractable
 T.S. Eliot  

Stream Habitat

When trout are not feeding, they are likely hiding under currents, near the bottom of deep pools, under cut blanks around the shore, or behind structure such as logs or boulders. When they are feeding, trout in a stream move to where the food comes to them. Common places are eddies, along weedbeds, behind boulders, and at the tailouts of pools.

Lake Habitat

Trout living in a lake and pond must move in search of food. When they are cruising you find them along weedbeds and typically closer to the surface of along structured shoreline. On ocassion, trout cruise just below the surface to gulp down aquatic insects.

Program to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species