A survey conducted by Southwick Associates on AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com shows that while color has some importance, quality is key.

Anglers of both sexes preferred black, with 52% of men and 38% of women selecting this color. Sixteen percent of women preferred pink, and 30% overall do not factor color into their purchasing decision. The lowest preferences were reflected in brighter colors such as orange and yellow.

Hunters and target shooters said that the most popular color scheme was camouflage, with 62% of males and 60% of females chiming in with this preference. Other popular colors included black, green and brown, with pink getting 15.4% of women's votes. Again, the lowest preference for both genders included brighter colors -- white, yellow and multicolored. Thirty percent overall did not factor in color when buying firearms and related equipment.

Asked if offering pink outdoor gear is a condescending way to market to women (outside of that offered to promote breast cancer awareness), half the women who took the angler survey believe it is, while 46% of men thought so. Of hunters, 47% of surveyed women find it condescending while 42% of men believe that.

Trout:

SAN BERNARDINO: Silverwood Lake

INYO: Lone Pine Creek and Owens River (below Tinnemaha)

Catfish:

ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Centennial Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake, Laguna Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Lake, Tri-City Park Lake and Yorba Regional Park Lake

Photo: Trout on a stringer. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Oct. 19 by the California Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, and Elizabeth and Pyramid lakes.  

RIVERSIDE: Hemet and Perris lakes.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear and Gregory lakes.  

INYO: Bishop Creek Lower, Owens River Section 2 and Pleasant Valley Reservoir.

Photo credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Oct. 12 by the Department of Fish and Game:

SAN BERNARDINO: Mojave Narrow Regional Park Lake and Silverwood Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, North Lake, Lone Pine Creek and Owens River (below Tinnemaha).

MONO: Convict Creek, Lee Vining Creek, Mary Lake, Rock Creek (Section II), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes (Mammoth) and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper).

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Oct. 5 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake and Perris Lake

SAN BERNARDINO: Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork

INYO: Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (South Forks), Diaz Lake, Owens River Section 2, Pleasant Valley Reservoir and Sabrina Lake

MONO: Convict Lake, George Lake, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Mamie Lake, Mary Lake, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek Lake, Saddlebag Lake, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper)

Photo credit: Stephen Osman/Los Angeles Times

Question: Is it true that halibut can be cleaned only once the boat is tied to the dock? If not, can the fillets just be attached to the skeleton upon coming back to the slip, or can fishermen produce the fillets without the skeleton attached? Cleaning and disposing of the halibut innards and skeletons into the water at the harbor create a major bird problem, and the neighboring sailing and pleasure boaters are quite upset with the bird droppings on their vessels. We just want to be sure we’re doing the right thing. Can you please clarify? (George J., Newport Beach)

California halibut taken from or possessed aboard a vessel in waters north of Point Arena (Mendocino County) may not be filleted at sea, but halibut taken south of Point Arena may, under certain conditions. The fillets must be a minimum of 16 3/4 inches in length and retain the entire skin intact, and they may not be cut crosswise in half fillets. Fillets may, however, be cut lengthwise in a straight line along the midline of the fillet where the fillet was attached to the vertebra (backbone) of the fish. The two fillet pieces must remain joined along their midline for a length of at least two inches at one end of the fillet (FGC Section 27.65).

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Sept. 28 by the Department of Fish and Game:

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake and Gregory Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II) and Sherwin Creek.

Photo: Trout jump out of the water after bits of feed in a holding pond at the Kern River Hatchery. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Sept. 21 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek. 

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek (Middle and South forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Crowley Lake, Deadman Creek, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Leavitt Creek, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2), Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth and West Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).   

Photo: Rainbow trout being prepared for pan frying. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday afternoon or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Answer: Steelhead are rainbow trout that migrated out of fresh water as juveniles and spent some portion of their life in the ocean before returning to fresh water to spawn. According to steelhead program coordinator Terry Jackson, adult California steelhead are usually at least 16 inches in length. It is not possible to be sure, however, if a large rainbow trout (16 inches or larger) in anadromous waters has been to the ocean without examining a scale (fish scales can be “read” like tree rings) or an otolith (a bone in its head, which unfortunately requires sacrificing the fish), so this regulation reflects probabilities based on years of data.

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Sept. 14 by the Department of Fish and Game:

SAN BERNARDINO: Gregory Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond. 

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper).   

Photo: The Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery in Independence, which was closed last year after a mudslide, reopened recently to visitors, though it will not be raising trout. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Today is the second of two annual free fishing days in California.

The Department of Fish and Game will waive sportfishing license requirements for the day, allowing citizens to fish all public waters in the state, both saltwater and freshwater.

"There are fish in many California waterways and urban lakes that can make a very fun day for beginning anglers and experienced hands alike," said Dave Moore, the department's interpretive services supervisor said. "Free Fishing Days offers a great opportunity for families to enjoy a hands-on experience with nature."

All other angling regulations, such as catch limits, gear restrictions and stream closures, remain in effect. Report cards for certain species will also still be required.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Seth Carper of Yucca Valley holds a trout he caught in Lake Arrowhead. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Sept. 8 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek and Jackson Lake 

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake

SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork 

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3)

Photo: Jeff Winter of Van Nuys fishes for trout in hopes of dinner as the sun sets over Lower Pine Creek Lake. Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Documentary filmmaker and Eastern Sierra fishing guide Cory Shiozaki will be a guest docent at Manzanar National Historic Site this weekend, leading discussions about the World War II internees who occasionally sneaked out of the camp at night to fish. He'll also lead walking tours to some of the locations where they fished.

Scheduled for Saturday  and Sunday, the fourth annual "From Barbed Wire to Barbed Hooks" project lecture and walking tour will begin at 11 a.m. in the West Theater with an illustrated talk with Cory. He will share the wartime stories from some of those who secretly left the camp at night and will have examples of the fishing tackle that was crafted in camp by hopeful anglers.

At 1 p.m., Cory will lead a walking tour from the Interpretive Center to some of the known fishing sites. Attendees are encouraged to wear sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat and to bring water. 

Afterward, he will host a "meet and greet" back at the Interpretive Center.

The programs are open to the public and are free. For more information and directions, visit Manazar's website or call (760) 878-2194.

Shiozaki's film, "From Barbed Wire to Barbed Hooks: Fishing Stories From Manzanar," chronicles some of the internees that would slip out of the camp to go fishing.

Colleague Pete Thomas wrote an L.A. Times story about the Japanese Americans interned at Manzanar during World War II who would do whatever it took to get away from the camp and go after trout in Sierra Nevada lakes and streams.

--Kelly Burgess

Photo: Heihachi Ishikawa, one of those who sneaked out of the camp to fish, displays a stringer of golden trout. Credit: Toyo Miyatake

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake and Gregory Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

Question: I do a lot of shore angling and occasionally catch a few fish that I intend to keep. By the time I’m leaving the lake, though, if I’ve only caught a couple of fish, I don’t always want to take the time to clean them and would prefer to just let them go. Is it legal to release them into the same waters where they were caught if they are still in good health, even if they have been on a stringer or in a floating fish basket for a few hours? Thanks. (Ralph, Riverbank)

Keep in mind that fish that are released immediately have the best chances of survival. The best thing would be for you to decide at the time you catch your fish whether to keep or release them, and then keep only those you intend to take home and utilize. A fish that has spent time on your stringer or in your floating basket may swim away when you let it go, but there is no guarantee that it will survive. The sooner you can release any fish that you do not want to keep, the more likely it will survive to be caught by another angler on another day.

Question: How are points on deer antlers determined? I would assume a forked horn buck has two points on the forked side and one point for the spike side, but I see in the harvest data most bucks taken have only two points total. (Steven J.)

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug. 24 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek. 

SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).                           

Photo credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

*Updated with Carrie Wilson clarifying answer to first question

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday afternoon or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I have a question regarding hunting pigs during deer archery season. I know that pigs are open all year. I also know that if you are hunting deer during archery season, you cannot have any firearms with your archery equipment while out in the field. If I am out hunting with my friends, but I am hunting pigs with my gun while they are archery hunting for deer, is it legal for me to carry my gun with me while my buddies are bow-hunting if we are in the same hunting area? Will a game warden cite us or be overly suspicious because we would have a mixture of hunting equipment in our possession during archery season, even though we have a non-deer hunter in our group? Any info from you will be most appreciated. Thanks. (Tim P.)

Answer: This is an age-old scenario that we hear often. According to Assistant Chief Mike Carion, while you are not prohibited from carrying a firearm (Section 354[h]) because you are not an "archer," if you claim to be hunting pigs with your firearm during a deer archery-only season, you may draw the attention of a game warden.

If you are observed in the field with archery deer hunters and are carrying a firearm, and you are doing anything that could be defined as "hunting, pursuing, catching, capturing or killing" deer, there is a good chance you will be cited for taking or attempting to take deer without a tag, and hunting with a firearm during an archery season. If you claim you are hunting pig, coyote, ground squirrel or something else, this must be substantiated, as the claim alone does not protect you from prosecution. Based upon all the evidence at hand, you must be able to prove you are hunting pigs or legally hunting game other than deer. If game wardens know that pigs are not known to even occur in your particular area, or the type of ammo you are carrying is not consistent with what you say you are hunting, then you will probably be cited. So be sure your actions are consistent with the intended legal game you are hunting, that the game is obviously found in the area, and that you are carrying the correct tags and ammunition for the game you are pursuing.

In summary, hunting with folks that have specific types of tags places you in the same arena, as far as a warden is concerned. Because there are people who take advantage of such situations, game wardens pay close attention to mixed hunting groups, and by carrying a firearm you will be putting yourself and your group in the spotlight.

Question: Is it legal to spearfish at night? If so, what fish can be taken? This sounds intriguing to me since I enjoy night diving and it would give me another activity to enjoy while doing so, but I want to stay within the law. Thank you for your time. Just to be clear, I would be diving along the North Coast. (Anonymous)

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug. 17 by the Department of Fish and Game:

RIVERSIDE:Hemet Lake

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake and Gregory Lake 

SAN DIEGO:Cuyamaca Lake

INYO:Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO:Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3)   

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug.10 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek and Jackson Lake. 

SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II,  Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).    

Photo credit: Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug. 3 by the Department of Fish and Game:

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake and Green Valley Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).

Photo: Rainbow trout being prepared for pan frying. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of July 27 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek. 

SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).    

Photo: Jeff Winter of Van Nuys fishes for trout in hopes of dinner as the sun sets over Lower Pine Creek Lake. Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of July 20 by the Department of Fish and Game:

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake and Lytle Creek (Middle & North Forks). 

INYO: Lone Pine Creek and Owens River (below Tinnemaha). 

MONO: Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mary Lake, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo: The Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery in Independence, which was closed last year after a mudslide, reopened recently to visitors, though it will not be raising trout. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of July 13 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek and Jackson Lake. 

RIVERSIDE: Fulmor Lake, Hemet Lake and Strawberry Creek.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake and Doane Pond.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Shepherd Creek, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo: Trout jump out of the water after bits of feed in a holding pond at the Kern River Hatchery. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its efforts to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday afternoon or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I was wondering about the laws on mailing fish. A friend of mine took me to Eagle Lake a few years ago, and to return the favor I always bring him some fish on the way home. He is going to be moving to Kansas and I want to send him some of the prized fish. Is it legal to ship them through the mail? I know I can get live lobsters from Maine, but they are a commercial product. My friend also wants to try to send me some venison but we're not sure of the laws there either. Thank you for your help. (Steve)

Answer: Unfortunately, it is not legal to ship trout outside of California (FGC Section 2356.) You also cannot personally transport them to another state, unless you have a nonresident angling license or are on active military duty (in which case you may personally transport no more than one limit of trout across state lines).

As far as venison mailed across state lines, as long as the animal was taken legally in the state of origin, it can be shipped to a recipient in California for their personal use, provided the shipper complies with the following procedures:

According to Captain (ret.) Phil Nelms, both California (FGC Section 2348) and United States (Lacey Act) laws require that packages containing wildlife and being shipped by common carrier "... shall bear the name and address of the shipper and of the consignee and an accurate description of the numbers and kinds of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians contained therein clearly and conspicuously marked on the outside thereof." In addition, a declaration form must be filed when importing fish, game, etc. (FGC 2353.) This form is available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/docs/declaration_form.pdf.

Though it's not a requirement, it would be a good idea for your friend to include with his venison shipment a copy of his valid hunting license and tags for the deer, along with all information regarding where and when the animal was taken.

Question: I am going to be hunting 300 acres of private land for wild hogs in a few weeks with only my archery tackle gear. Can I carry a side arm in case of a charge by a large hog? I will be hunting with someone else but we will be in different areas and would like some protection. Is this legal? (Albert Q.)

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of July 6 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).  

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times

The first of two annual free fishing days in California will be this Saturday, July 4.

The Department of Fish and Game will waive sportfishing license requirements for the day and citizens will be allowed to fish all public waters in the state, both freshwater and saltwater.

"There are fish in many California waterways and urban lakes that can make a very fun day for beginning anglers and experienced hands alike," said Dave Moore, DFG interpretive services supervisor said. "Free Fishing Days offers a great opportunity for families to enjoy a hands-on experience with nature."

All other angling regulations, such as catch limits, gear restrictions and stream closures, remain in effect. Report cards for certain species will also still be required.

The second free day this year will be Labor Day, Sept. 7.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Auguste Ackerman reaches for the mackerel he caught on a fishing trip off Catalina Island. Credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 29 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek and Jackson Lake. 

ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.

RIVERSIDE: Fulmor Lake and Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Lytle Creek (Middle & North Forks), Miller Canyon Creek, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork.

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake and Doane Pond.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker Lake, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 22 with rainbow trout or channel catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

Trout:

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek,  Independence Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Shepherds Creek, South Lake, Symms Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Catfish:

LOS ANGELES: Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Ford Park Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir.

Photo credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday afternoon or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I ran into a bunch of guys recently who love to bass-fish and so have been moving bass into the rivers. They think it's OK but I think not because bass eat trout and salmon fry. They say the water is too warm during the summer for trout. Is there anything we can do if we know they are taking a bunch of bass to the rivers to dump? Who do I contact if I know where and when it will be done next? (Anonymous)

Answer: Transporting and relocating live finfish from one body of water to another in California can cause serious environmental problems and is a serious offense punishable by fines and even jail time. If you have knowledge of this activity, you should immediately call our toll-free CalTIP line ([888] DFG-CALTIP, or [888] 334-2258) and provide specific details, including suspect and vehicle descriptions, license plate numbers and locations of where the fish are being caught and dropped off.

Aside from the fact that the transported fish may not adapt well to their new surroundings or even die, they can potentially disrupt the balance of existing species through increased predation, competition for limited food sources, disease and parasites.

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 15 with rainbow trout or channel catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lagoon and Pyramid Lake. 

VENTURA: Piru Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symms Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).    

Catfish:

ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Centennial Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake, Laguna Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Lake, Tri-City Park Lake and Yorba Regional Park Lake.

Photo: A trout jumps out of a pool at the Mt. Whitney fish hatchery near Independence in this 2007 photo. Credit: Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 8 with rainbow trout or catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

RIVERSIDE: Fulmor Lake, Hemet Lake and Strawberry Creek. 

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Jenks Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symms Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).    

Catfish:

SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake and Murray Lake.     

Photo: With the Sierra Nevada range providing a dramatic background, a young angler tries his luck in Convict Lake. Credit: Brian VanderBrug/Los Angeles Times

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday afternoon or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I have a question about putting fish on another person's hook. My son-in-law takes his daughter (my granddaughter) fishing but she does not have much luck. Is it legal for me to place fish on her hook while I am under water scuba diving? We will be camping this summer and this would allow her to experience the thrill of catching a fish when she goes out fishing with her dad. I would even purchase fresh fish at the market to place on her hook while fishing, if needed. Only her father and I would know. Please advise. Thanks. (Brian K.)

Answer: I applaud your creativity and desire to ensure your granddaughter will enjoy her fishing experience! This sounds pretty difficult though and perhaps dangerous depending on how hard she may yank her line, but it is not illegal.

Whether you are fishing in fresh water or saltwater, any fish you put on her hook must either be dead or have been caught in the same waters where you are fishing. It must also be a legal species to take, meet any minimum size limits and it must count against your own bag limit for the day. If you plan to be fishing in freshwater, you may not catch fish by hand to put on her hook.

You may purchase fresh fish at the market to place on her hook but you cannot transport them alive.

One thing I'd suggest is to check out the California Fishing Passport program online at www.dfg.ca.gov/fishingpassport. This Department of Fish and Game (DFG) program is designed to promote sport fishing throughout the state and may be ideal for helping your granddaughter develop a greater interest in fishing. Hopefully, it will also motivate her to want to do more fishing with you and her dad. If you have any questions after viewing the Web site, please contact DFG at Passport@dfg.ca.gov.

Question: Are rattlesnakes legal to keep as pets in California? I've browsed the Internet and have not found the answer online. Thanks. (Cyle W.)

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 1 with rainbow trout or catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lagoon and Pyramid Lake.

ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.

SAN BERNARDINO: Gregory Lake and Lytle Creek (Middle & North Forks).

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.

VENTURA: Piru Lake.

INYO: Bishop Creek Lower, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir and Sabrina Lake. 

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Buckeye Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake,  Lundy Lake, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Virginia Creek and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper).    

Catfish:

LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Echo Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, Hansen Lake, Hollenbeck Lake, Lincoln Park Lake and Magic Johnson Lake.

Photo: Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery in Independence, which was closed last year after a mudslide, reopened Saturday to visitors though will not be raising trout. Credit: Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday afternoon or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I have a pond in my backyard where the fish have been breeding very successfully, so I have lots of young healthy fish. Can I sell them to private buyers or pet stores? If so, is a license required to sell live fish? (Phil)

Answer: If the fish are species native to California or found in the wild here, you will need to have a Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Aquaculture Permit to legally sell or transport them, according to Retired DFG Capt. Phil Nelms. If the fish are a tropical ornamental species legally found in the pet industry in California, maintained in home aquariums for hobby purposes and will not be released into the wild, then no permit is required.

Be aware that there are many non-native species that are common in the pet industry in other states but illegal in California. These species are illegal to import, transport or possess alive. For a list of these species and more information regarding aquaculture permits, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Administration/Permits/Aquaculture.

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of May 25  with rainbow trout or catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Elizabeth Lake and Legg Lakes. 

INYO: Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Sabrina Lake and South Lake. 

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Lee Vining Creek, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper).    

Catfish:

SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake and Murray Lake.

Photo credit: Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of May 18 with rainbow trout or catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lagoon, Puddingstone Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir

ORANGE: Trabuco Creek

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake and Perris Lake

SAN BERNARDINO: Arrowbear Lake, Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork and Silverwood Lake

SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake and Santa Ynez River

VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake and Reyes Creek

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Lower, Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Sheperds Creek, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker Lake, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 & 2), Rock Creek Lake, Rush Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3)

Catfish:

LOS ANGELES: Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Ford Park Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir

Photo: An angler holds his catch at Paradise Cove along Lake Isabella. Credit: Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of May 11 with rainbow trout or catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Lake, Castaic Lake, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Jackson Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake and Lincoln Park Lake.

ORANGE: Laguna Lake.

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake and Strawberry Creek.

SAN BERNARDINO: Green Valley Lake, Miller Canyon Creek and Silverwood Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.

INYO: Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Bishop Creek Intake 2, Bishop Creek Lower, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Sabrina Lake and South Lake.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir.

Catfish:

SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake and Murray Lake.

Photo credit: Stephen Osman/Los Angeles Times

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of May 4 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Pyramid Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir.

ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.

RIVERSIDE: Perris Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Arrowbear Lake, Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork.

SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake and Santa Ynez River.

VENTURA: Casitas Lake and Reyes Creek.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sheperds Creek, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker River, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 & 2), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Virginia Creek and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo: Trout swim through a holding pond at the Kern River Hatchery. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times.

Orange County's Dave Finkelstein (pictured above) had reason to smile after pulling an estimated 3-pound Alpers rainbow from a hole in the ice Sunday morning at South Lake atop Bishop Creek Canyon.

The catch, on a mini-jig, marked an ideal ending to a wild and varied opening weekend of trout fishing in the Eastern Sierra. Saturday was snowy, blustery and bitter cold. Boats were swamped at Crowley Lake, and vehicles slid from icy canyon roads. Yet anglers of all ages toughed it out and made impressive catches. 

Sunday was sunny and calm, revealing the region in all its majestic splendor. I fished from the ice at South Lake with Marlon Meade, left, and a fun and enthusiastic group, and most of us caught limits before departing homeward, packing memories of another treasured opener.

Hopefully, the thousands who attended this year's angling extravaganza made it through the weekend and out of the region safely, and will be back next year. If you have never ice fished, I suggest you give it a try. It's a lot of fun and the fishing, as you can see, is generally very good.

--Pete Thomas

Photos by Pete Thomas/Los Angeles Times

Pete Thomas just checked in from Crowley Lake. He is up there to cover Saturday's Eastern Sierra trout-fishing opening day and says it could be an old-fashioned opener: cold, snowy and blustery.

A few observations made at 10 a.m. Friday:

-- Crowley Lake: strong winds out of the southwest. Winds expected to die down overnight but build again Saturday afternoon. Could be nasty for boaters.

-- Convict Lake: Same strong winds and some horizontal snow.

-- Mammoth Lakes: Snowing hard and breezy

-- June Lake Loop: Snowing hard and windy

-- Bridgeport area: no report

As anyone who has been in the region during the spring can attest, the weather can be very unpredictable. So be prepared for anything.

(To view Pete's story on Manzanar internees who sneaked out of the camp to fish during the World War II-era, click here. The story appeared in today's Los Angeles Times).

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: The moon sets behind the Sierra Nevada range as anglers prepare their boats at Crowley Lake marina for the trout season opener last year. Credit: Brian VanderBrug/Los Angeles Times

This could be you come Saturday, which marks opening day of the Eastern Sierra general trout-fishing season.

It also could be ZZ Top. But the point is, excellent fishing is on tap at Bridgeport Reservoir (pictured) and throughout the region if a storm in the forecast does not turn out to be too powerful or accompanied by strong winds.

Bridgeport Reservoir, at the northern end of the Eastern Sierra, is typically one of the most productive opening-day locations, and last season it was one of the most consistent overall fisheries.

What many like about fishing there is the cooperation of brown trout. Last year browns made up about 30% of the opening-weekend catch, said Jeffrey Wenger, who runs Bridgeport Reservoir RV Park and Marina.

But not all is heavenly. The Nevada Irrigation District has been taking water and the marina is less than five feet deep, so with the smaller surface area, launching all those boats on opening weekend might be problematic. However, the recent heat wave is hastening runoff, so water is trickling back into the lake.

Surface temperatures range from 46-54 degrees, and there have been lots of bug hatches -- ideal for trout activity.

Good luck everyone. See you Saturday!

-- Pete Thomas

Photo courtesy of Bridgeport Reservoir RV Park and Marina

Heihachi Ishikawa was 53 when he was interred at Manzanar in 1942, and although he's dead, his exploits live on and should serve as an inspiration to thousands of anglers preparing for Saturday's opening of the Eastern Sierra trout-fishing season.

Those are golden trout on Ishikawa's stringer; they were captured in the high country by a determined fisherman who went under the barbed-wire fence and hiked to or beyond the 10,000-foot Sierra crest, and spent days camping and fishing.

Despite limited funding, Cory Shiozaki is nearing completion of a documentary about the estimated 300 to 400 Manzanar internees who would sneak past guards under the cloak of darkness to fish nearby creeks and far-flung lakes. The project is entitled "From Barbed Wire to Barbed Hooks: Fishing stories from Manzanar."

I recently spent a day at Manzanar with Cory and three former internees to research a story scheduled to run before Saturday's trout opener. All three gentlemen shared wonderful yarns about what it meant to be on the other side of the wire with homemade fishing poles in hand.

Said Archie Miyatake, 84, who was 16 when he first went AWOL, or angling without leave: "Once you were out, you feel like you were in a free area. It was quite a nice feeling just to be out, just to know you could sneak out."

-- Pete Thomas

(Noteworthy: Manzanar will celebrate its 40th Pilgrimage on Saturday. To learn more, click here.)

Photo of  Heihachi by Toyo Miyatake

Earl Gustkey, who died Friday after a brief bout with leukemia, was my predecessor on the L.A. Times outdoors beat. He was a character whose many traits included deep passion for all topics he wrote about -- including women's basketball!

I remember Earl best as an outdoors reporter, who held that beat during the newspaper's heyday, when an expansive sports section routinely splashed colorful stories about the great outdoors on its pages.

He was meticulous in reporting. When he'd return from his adventures, he'd tear pages from his notebook and piece them together in chronological order atop his desk, then start writing.

Stories about Earl are too numerous to list here, but one of my favorites was the time he visited remote Christmas Island, northwest of Australia, to write about fly-fishing for bonefish. Hawaii-based flights to and from Christmas Island were on Saturday's only, and Earl missed either the outbound or inbound and got to remain at large in an exotic locale for two weeks.

He was old-school; he wrote primarily about fishing, hunting and wildlife, until giving up the beat in the mid-1980s. When I took over and started writing about surfing, skiing and snowboarding, Earl didn't complain to me personally, but he probably objected and would still object today.

I cannot envision Earl as a blogger or Tweeter, and perhaps a changing newspaper landscape was partly why he retired in 2001 and moved to Montana, which he once referred to as God's country. He was 69, and he will be missed.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo by Los Angeles Times

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of April 20 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir.

ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.

RIVERSIDE: Perris Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Arrowbear Lake, Cucamonga-Guasti Park Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Prado Park Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork.

SAN DIEGO: Murray Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Intake 2), Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Lake, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker River, Robinson Creek, Rush Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Virginia Creek and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).

SANTA BARBARA: Lion Canyon Creek and Santa Ynez River.

VENTURA: Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek and Rose Valley Lakes.

With the April 25 opening of the general trout-fishing season almost here, I thought this an apt photo to get mouths watering and fillet knives at the ready. Best of luck to all those going to the opener!

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Rainbow trout being prepared for pan frying. Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of April 13 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game: 

LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Lake, Castaic Lake, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Jackson Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lakes, Lincoln Park Lake and Pyramid Lake.

ORANGE: Mile Square Park Lake.

RIVERSIDE: Diamond Valley Reservoir.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake. 

SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond. 

INYO: Bishop Creek Lower, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Rock Creek Lake.

MONO: Convict Creek, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 & 2) and Sherwin Creek.

Photo:Trout jump out of the water after bits of feed in a holding pond. Credit: Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times

This is a view of Convict Lake and one of its guardian peaks, Mt. Morrison, as seen Sunday afternoon from the trail on the north side of the picturesque Eastern Sierra fishery just south of Mammoth Lakes.

Convict Lake regulars planning to attend the April 25 opening of the general trout-fishing season might happily note there is no ice on the surface and no snow on the north-side trail. There's only a small amount of snow on the south-side trail along the far corner of the lake (pictured).

Translation: Access should be ideal for opening day not only at Convict, but at mid-elevation lakes throughout the region, including those on the June Lake Loop and in the Bridgeport area. They've been free of ice for weeks and that bodes well for a productive opener.

I drove past Crowley Lake en route to Convict and envisioned hundreds of boats atop its glassy surface come the last Saturday of April. Barring fierce winds, it will be a large-scale slaughter at Crowley, a bountiful fishery that last fall received 100,000 Kamloop-strain rainbows, 100,000 Coleman rainbows, 80,000 Eagle Lake rainbows and 60,000 cutthroats.

I tried driving to Sabrina and South Lakes above Bishop but the roads are still gated beyond 8,500 feet. However, barring a late stretch of wintry weather, the roads will open long before opening day. Creek fishermen will be pleased to learn that the shores of all forks of Bishop Creek are essentially ice-free to at least 9,000 feet.

Outposts will provide more updates as opening day draws closer. Good luck to anglers young and old!

-- Pete Thomas

Photo of Convict Lake by Pete Thomas/Los Angeles Times

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of April 6 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:    

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir.   

ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.   

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Perris Lake and Strawberry Lake.   

SAN BERNARDINO: Glen Helen Park Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork, Silverwood Lake and Yucaipa Lake.   

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.   

INYO: Pleasant Valley Reservoir.   

SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake, Lion Canyon Creek and Santa Ynez River.   

VENTURA: Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek and Rose Valley Lakes.

Photo: Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of March 30 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Lake, Castaic Lake, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lakes, Lincoln Park Lake and Pyramid Lake.

ORANGE: Centennial Lake, Laguna Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake and Tri-city Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Arrowbear Lake, Cucamonga Guasti Park Lake, Prado Pake Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake and Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Murray Lake.

INYO: Lone Pine Creek and Owens River (Section 2).

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times

The rapid snowmelt in the San Bernardino Mountains is bad news for skiers and snowboarders, but it's filling Big Bear Lake in time for the spring fishing season.

Both public launch ramps will open Wednesday, thus beginning the assault on "pink-meat holdover" rainbow trout and on largemouth and smallmouth bass.

The sprawling lake is nearly at full capacity, which bodes well for a long and productive season. "A fresh influx of water naturally helps fish grow faster and provides a healthier habitat," says Mike Stephenson, lake manager for the Big Bear Municipal Water District. "Not only do we have a full lake, but we have thousands of hungry fish chomping at the bit."

Anglers might wish to note these events: The Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic, May 16 and 17, and the Fishin' for 50k Trout Derby, on May 30-31. Both offer cash prizes, and the latter provides an opportunity to catch a tagged trout worth $50,000.

The water district will stock trophy-size trout before the derbies, to supplement regular plants by the Department of Fish and Game. To learn more click here, or call (800) 424-4232.

-- Pete Thomas

Photos: Aaron Armstrong (top) displays a plump holdover trout caught at Big Bear Lake. Credit: Big Bear Charter Fishing. Second photo by Dan McKernan

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following is a list of Southern California waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of March 23 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir.

ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake and Trabuco Creek.

RIVERSIDE: Cahuilla Park Lake, Hemet Lake, Perris Lake and Strawberry Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Glen Helen Park Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork, Silverwood Lake and Yucaipa Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.

SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake, Lion Canyon Creek and Santa Ynez River.

VENTURA: Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek and Rose Valley Lakes.

Photo credit: Ken Lubas/Los Angeles Times