Mako Bob Loc: Southern California

This started back in July

Bacterial Outbreak Forces Euthanization of Fish at Three Southern California Hatcheries. Three California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) fish hatchery facilities in the eastern Sierra and Southern California have been battling a bacterial outbreak that has affected 3.2 million fish.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Wow, sorry to hear that. What kinda fish, trout?

Mako Bob Loc: Southern California

Yes trout actually 3.2 million this will affect trout fishing in California for up to 3 years

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

That is a tough break. I would think that it would be hard to get the bacteria out of the hatchery.

Rob March Loc: Baltimore md.

My thought is why dont they try to learn to kill the bacteria and save the fish. Maybe I just look at things differently. Thats a lot of fish and also so sad.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

I suggest you read the website of the CDFW on the subject. Yes 3.2 million is a lot of fish (Rainbows, browns and Lahontan cutthroat), however, the state regularly plants 50+ million each year. The mitigation plan is cleaning, drying, hydrogen peroxide cleaning, then another dry-out period. Production will be back in full swing at the 3 affected hatcheries and by Dec '21 or Jan '22, will again be able to stock. A one year period of having 3 of the 21 hatcheries will be hard, but most definitely not devastating, overall. Redistribution from other hatcheries will take up some slack and the powers that be, are defining which lakes get which #'s of smolts. Sounds to me like they are trying to make right, despite the setback. The protozoan infection is similar to a strain found in the Columbia River basin, but not quite the same, leaving the biologists still unsure of the source.... how typical for 2020 !!
I support the Oregon Coastal Conservation Assoc., CO-EXIST- Hatchery/Wild, the Rogue Riverkeepers and try to keep up with legislative action, ODFW decisions and regulations as well as, any and all scuttlebutt about fish and fishing, be they proclamations from government or bitchin' heard at the river/lake parking lot or boat ramp.
I believe you in Cali will recover safely and would encourage you to become informed and involved, as best you can. As mentioned in the CDFW report, while less than 5% of your lakes originally had anadromous fish populations, you now sit at 60%.....so you are blessed with more opportunities, therefore need to be as supportive as possible and tolerant, as well.
Good luck with the setback, but know that good folks are doing their best in your interest.

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

What type of bacteria was it ??

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Like I said..best to read the CDFW's site for details.

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

We had IPN ( infectious pancreatic necrosis) in the hatchery I worked at. We had to kill about half million fry.

captjim Loc: Antioch Ca

This is another example of the sorry state of affairs in the hatchery system. Check out a video put out by the Nor Cal Guides and Sportsmen titled "managed to death". It uses all F&G provided information to show the wanton waste at most salmon hatcheries and how the tax money that supports this is wasted.

INHO the problems with the hatcheries and every thing else at California Fish and Wildlife starts at the top. The current director of Fish and Wildlife, Chuck Bonham is great at making excuses for his departments lack of results, and praises managers as "honest" who fail to perform. Rather than accept criticism he threatens legal action against any one who points out his failures. As long as ol' Chuck is director you can expect lots of problems like these at the hatcheries and in all their restoration projects.

FinFisherman Loc: Born in Ohio - 40 yrs Florida- Clearwater,Fl

And we in Fl are seeing Red Tide at low levels showing up off Pinellas Manatee county's. And the strange thing is I have never seen Red Tide in winter.

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

Changing weather conditions are wreaking havoc with eco systems all over the world...something like a half to one degree can wreck the whole ecology as one invasive thing that never could thrive is allowed to take over.

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

Sad state of affairs!

Mako Bob Loc: Southern California

The bacteria had all ready invaded the fish the bacteria was discovered as the fish started dying I have this information because I am a County Fish and Game Commissioner
I am sharing this information only because it has now been made public

Mako Bob Loc: Southern California

So there is no confusion as I read a prior reply
I am not a state fish and game commissioner
But am a county commissioner