The Northern Sierras exemplifies the idea of California beauty. Millions of visitors gather to this area each year from around the world to enjoy its vistas, waters, and recreational opportunities such as swimming, skiing, hiking, and angling.

The area is home to some of the most important, ecologically diverse watersheds in California. The Truckee and Carson Rivers, the tributaries of Lake Tahoe, and other ecologically significant waterways provide unique habitats for a variety of native trout species, including the Lahontan and Paiute cutthroat trout, Eagle Lake Rainbow trout, and the Mountain whitefish. As well as wild trout species including Brook, Rainbow and Lake trout.

However, these iconic wildernesses are slowly being loved to death. Growing commercial development, visitation, timber harvest, and water irrigation are overpowering the areas ability to rejuvenate itself and straining the regions fragile trout that rely on healthy rivers and streams to survive.

The California Trout Northern Sierra region, based out of South Lake Tahoe, has prioritized supporting the Lahontan cutthroat trout recovery back to its native range within the Tahoe Basin and Truckee River Watersheds, restoring the Paiute cutthroat trout to its native waters in Silver King Creek, supporting enhanced research of local fisheries and their habitats, and building a stronger voice for fisheries conservation in the region.

California Trout Regional Office
870 Emerald Bay Road, Suite #303
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Phone: (530) 541-3496
Email: jhatch@caltrout.org

Project 1: Imperiled Trout: Meadow Restoration for Northern Sierra Imperiled Trout Project

Goal: Through successful meadows restoration, protect the genetic integrity, abundance and natural habitat of Eagle Lake rainbow trout, Paiute and Lahontan cutthroat trout

Conservation Objective:

1. Restore key habitat and ecological processes supporting the imperiled trout of the Northern Sierra and supporting non-game native fish species

Project 2: Imperiled Trout: Lahontan cutthroat trout recovery

Goal: Expand, connect, and restore Lahontan cutthroat trout habitat in the Tahoe Basin; protect and restore wild populations of Lahontan cutthroat trout in Independence Creek/Reservoir.

Conservation Objectives:

1. Increase Habitat for recovered populations
2. Engage in Martis Dam removal consideration process
3. Protect and enhance non-game fish populations as a food source for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
4. Protect wild Lahontan Cutthroat Trout strains at Independence Lake
5. Promote further Lahontan Cutthroat Trout reintroduction

Project 3: Imperiled Native Trout: Restoring Paiute Cutthroat Trout to their Historic Range

Goal: Protect the long term sustainability and genetic integrity of the Paiute cutthroat trout and recover it to its entire historic range

Conservation Objectives:

1. Garner public support and acceptance of Restoration Project Proposal
2. Implement Restoration Project Proposal

Project 4: Imperiled Native Trout- Eagle Lake Rainbow Protection (119A)

Goal: Protect the long term sustainability and habitat connectivity of the Eagle Lake Rainbow trout 

Conservation Objective:

1. Gain a better grasp on current status and actions needed to sustain species

Project 5: Imperiled Native Trout-Reviving Healthy Fisheries through Outreach & Education (119B)

Goal: Enhance fisheries issues and public participation in watershed conservation throughout the Northern Sierra

Conservation Objective:

1. Increase local knowledge and participation with CalTrouts Northern Sierra regional efforts

Project 6: Imperiled Native Trout & Blue Ribbon Streams-Forest Service Plan Update Project (119C)

Goal: Ensure long-term viability of aquatic resources within US National Forests

Conservation Objectives:

1. Assist with development of Conservation Strategies for native trout in the Sierra Nevada and at least 3 Conservation Strategies for other resident aquatic species (2010)
2. Ensure revised National Forest Management Plans adequately address needs of target aquatic species (2010-2011)
3. Develop Conservation Strategies that ensure revised National Forest Management Plans adequately address invasive species prevention and control in the Sierra Nevada

Project 7: Protect Blue Ribbon Streams & Imperiled Native Trout-South Tahoe Citizen Stream Monitoring Project (119A)

Goal : Protect and restore tributaries within the Tahoe Basin

Conservation Objectives:

1. Monitor water quality and habitat parameters of South Shore tributaries once a month between April-Oct
2. Expand volunteers and parameters monitored (macro-invertebrates, bacteria, nutrients, ground water, fish)