12 March 8 , 2024 VOL . 43 • ISS . 8

FRESHWATER REPORTS :

CONTINUED FROM PG 9

FOLSOM LAKE

“ I fished from 40 to 90 feet deep . I hooked three salmon on anchovies and hooked one on a Speedy Shiner . All I caught on my hoochies today were bass and I also caught a bass on an anchovy Also , everything got to live : no more keeping any salmon at Folsom for me . So hopefully most of the salmon I ’ ve caught all year will grow to be big enough for everybody to catch this summer and next summer .” Folsom Lake is holding 614,547 acre feet of water , 63 percent of capacity and 129 percent of average . The three open launch ramps at Folsom Lake are Granite Bay , Folsom Point and Hobie Cove at Browns Ravine , according to the Folsom Lake Marina .

- Dan Bacher

KLAMATH RIVER

Perch , Bass and Catfish Die Off Occurs As Reservoirs Are Drained

KLAMATH - As expected , we are seeing a die-off of the non-native fish that inhabited the former reservoirs on the Klamath River , imcluding Iron Gate and Copco . As the reservoirs transform back into a river and stir up sediments , conditions have become intolerable for the yellow perch , bass , and catfish that thrived in the warm , still water conditions . In the coming days we may also see dead trout in the former reservoir footprints , due to the level of sediment suspended in the Copco / Iron Gate Reach . While it is unpleasant to see the die off of these fish , the drawdown period poses long term benefits to the Klamath River , including avoiding the mass introduction of non-native species to the mainstem . In anticipation of this condition , our restoration crews worked closely with the Klamath Tribes on the relocation of

C ’ waam and Kotpu , endangered sucker fish endemic to Upper Klamath Lake that had made their way down into the reservoirs . Over the course of several weeks last Spring , over 500 suckers were located in the various reservoirs and relocated to their habitats in the Upper Basin . In the coming weeks , we expect to see continued sediment impacts on the Klamath River . As the initial phase of drawdown nears its end and the last of the reservoir water goes downstream , the Klamath River is cutting through layers of accumulated sediment , finding its historic path , and washing those sediments downstream . Restoration projects of this scope and scale can be messy , but so far water quality impacts are well within the predicted range . As projected by the researchers and the regulatory agencies involved , the drawdown period is creating temporary negative impacts to Klamath River water quality and fisheries . Some of the dams being removed have been in place for a century , blocking the natural movement of sediment through the river . The drawing down of the reservoirs is a critical step in returning the river back to a healthy and functioning system . Large amounts of sediment introduced into a waterway can lead to extremely low dissolved oxygen levels which can result in fish mortality . January was chosen as the time of year to breach the dams because most migrating adult salmon have left the mainstem Klamath to spawn in tributaries , juvenile salmon have not yet started their migration out to the sea from tributary creeks and streams , and the fewest endangered species are typically found in the mainstem . This is the best time of year to perform drawdown of the reservoirs to minimize the negative impacts of the sediment flush on the species we are working to recover . Water quality monitoring is currently being conducted and will continue for years to come ; you can check out live data here : https :// kbmp . net

- Klamath River Renewal Corporation

Vince Borges was fishing the California Delta and ended up with a bag limit of almost 24lbs of bass while throwing a Skinny Dipper and Revenge Blade .

Photo Courtesy of Vince Borges Outdoors

Rancho Seco Recreational Area

April 6 & 7 , 2024

Win cash prizes plus a fishing kayak , fishing equipment and more !

• 2-day derby entry fee : $ 5 plus daily park entrance fee

• Gates open at 6 a . m . ( rain or shine )

• RV and tent camping , as well as boat rentals are available

• Thousands of catchable trout planted in the lake

Learn more at smud . org / RanchoSeco or call 1-800-416-6992 .

In partnership with

N

80

1-5

Sacramento

99

Twin Cities Rd .

Vicinity Map

Herald

104

Clay

From Sacramento , take Highway 99 South to the Highway 104 exit . Go East on Highway 104 , 15 miles , to the Rancho Seco Park entrance .

Rancho Seco is located 25 miles south of Sacramento at 14960 Twin Cities Road , Herald

Park Operator

© SMUD 1298-23 ® A trademark / service mark of Sacramento Municipal Utility District , Reg . U . S . Pat . & Tm . Off .

Clay Station Rd .

Park Entrance

Rancho Seco Recreational Area

4201