Amador County - For the first time in decades, several local fisheries will not be stocked as part of a lawsuit brought forth by two environmental groups. Lake Amador and several fisheries in neighboring El Dorado County are among 200 California lakes and streams where trout plants from the Department of Fish and Game will be suspended until early 2010, when a comprehensive study on its stocking program will be completed. The action is intended to protect over 25 rare native fish and frog species. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Patrick Marlette was convinced by lawsuit backers - the Center for Biological Diversity and the Pacific Rivers Council - that scientific studies prove that fish stocking has a negative impact on existing species. The Kern River, where trout did not historically live above 7,000 feet, is one local example of the impact. The mountain yellow-legged frog was once the areas most common vertebra, but now occupies only a fraction of the range’s 4000 lakes.

Local popular trout fisheries impacted by the settlement include the Truckee River and the Kern River. Lake Kaweah and Lake Isabella will still be stocked. Lake Amador will not be stocked by the Department of Fish and Game, although they do have their own private trout planting program. According to Roland Knapp, research biologist at UC Santa Barbara's Sierra Nevada Research Laboratory in Mammoth Lakes, fish feed on frogs and tadpoles and play a greater role in species decline than disease and pesticides. Traditionally, stocking in California has been random without consideration for impacts on native species. Fishermen and businesses dependent on their business have been critical of the decision, fearing the financial impact this could have on fishing communities. Fish and Game officials said that while necessary and overdue, the ban could be unwarranted in certain waters. Although the stocking suspension will mean a major decline in trout population, Fish and Game said fish will still be available for the catch, just at a lower rate. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).