rsg_book_2013

Fishbarriers, and reducing diversion of water. In 2012, CDFW modified the weir at themouth of Pine Creek to allow volitional passage of ELRT under high winter/springflows, while also allowing continued take of spawning fish to support the hatcheryprogram. Movement of fish along 50 km of stream is being monitoring through theuse of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Experimental transport of adultfish to spawning areas has demonstrated that successful spawning is possible,especially in Bogard Spring Creek, a tributary to Pine Creek, where the brooktrout population has been largely eliminated through annual electrofishing.Successful rearing of juvenile ELRT has been observed in the creek althoughsuccessful return to the lake has not yet been demonstrated. Some ELRT allowedpassage over the weir spawned in the intermittent reaches of Pine Creek andsmall young of year were observed moving over the weir towards the lake asflows dropped.Post-release monitoring: The project has shown that fish transported to theupper watershed have spawned and reared successfully. The study has alsodemonstrated that despite 60 years in captivity, ELRT are still capable ofmigrating upstream to spawn and of rearing in Pine Creek. These results alsoindicate that trapping and trucking is a viable option for helping to recreate anaturally reproducing population in dry years when stream flows reaching the lakeare not sufficient for migration from the mouth of the stream. The biggest singlefactor that limits potential for full recovery of a self-sustaining population is thepresence of abundant brook trout in the headwaters. The brook trout will have tobe eradicated for complete recovery of ELRT.Major difficulties faced The coordination and dialog among agencies and stakeholder groups to reachagreement about restoration goals, including modifying the Pine Creek weir toallow passage. Changing the perception that fish used for restoration purposes will negativelyaffect the fishery inEagle Lake andelsewhere. Implementing aresearch program toshow successfulmigration andspawning of ELRT cantake place. Demonstrating theimportance of brooktrout eradication andfinding a way toimplement aneradication program.23PIT tag antennae