Status of Eagle Lake Trout
The Eagle Lake trout species is supported today by two types of Eagle Lake trout: (1) those reared from wild fish collected every year at the mouth of Pine Creek, and (2) those that are domesticated from brood stock of Eagle Lake trout. Unfortunately, the Eagle Lake trout now depends completely on hatcheries for its existence. Pine Creek became inaccessible for spawning Eagle Lake trout as a result of man-made changes to its hydrology (e.g., roads, logging, grazing).
CDFG Likely Saved The Species
In 1950, a small population of Eagle Lake trout was removed from Pine Creek by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). The hundreds of Eagle Lake trout that resulted then became brood stock, and were planted back into Eagle Lake. Almost 10 years later, the program for trapping Eagle Lake trout as they entered Pine Creek began. This program has been carried out for every year since and has likely saved the Eagle Lake trout from extinction.
