Drought empties San Joaquin Hatchery

[flyboy]

The CDFW San Joaquin hatchery that provides the Kernville Hatchery with trout had to be emptied of all trout because Millerton Reservoir could no longer provide cool water to the facility. This isn't good news for the already terrible fishing conditions on the Upper Kern, Kern, Tulare, and Fresno counties the rest of the year.
You can read more here about the San Joaquin hatchery evacuation https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2015/08/ ... -hatchery/

[sn0tjockey]

At higher elevations, the population of natural trout has exploded without the competition from stocked trout. I'd stick to creeks and streams if you can find them. A month ago, there was some water in the Tule above 5000 ft that was holding natural golden and rainbows. Only a foot across in some areas but it was still flowing. They were small but very hungry and not line shy.

FYI - Quaking Aspen, Ponderosa, Peppermint, and Freeman Creek have all been dry for a couple months if you venture up there.