Proposed 6-Month Closure Could Destroy Recreational Fishing on Putah Creek

Putah Creek sits as one of the most popular fishing destinations in Northern California, but a proposed annual closure of the Wild Trout Water flowing out of Lake Berryessa could completely destroy recreational fishing on the river.

Putah Creek Trout, a nonprofit organization aimed at improving the wild trout fishery in Putah Creek, has proposed an annual 6-month fishing closure on the river from November 15 to the last week in April. While the closure is aimed at improving the spawning habitat for the beautiful wild trout of the river, fishing enthusiasts argue it would completely ruin fishing on the river.

“A three-month winter closure to protect spawning fish would have been great,” wrote fishing guide Rob Russell on Instagram. “However instituting a six-month closure because a three-month closure is too complicated seems illogical and asinine.”

View this post on Instagram

– Dissappointed to potentially lose two prime months of fishing at #putahcreek. March and April are traditionally great months, maybe the best two months of fishing during the year. A three-month winter closure to protect spawning fish would have been great, however instituting a six-month closure because a three-month closure is too complicated seems illogical and asinine. And of course, from a guide's perspective, this new proposal essentially cuts out a huge percentage of our business for the year, a point that seems insignificant to most during a time of division and corruption. Not to digress into politics folks, but when lying, misdirection, and deflection are accepted forms of communication, we will continue to see losses to our communities on every level. Greed wins it seems, with ego finishing a strong second. So, sorry to those that have supported the #voluntaryspawningclosure for almost a decade, only to have the best months of the year unnecessarily closed. Concerned individuals should email the CDFW supervisor, Roger.Bloom@wildlife.ca.gov to voice their opinions about a general trout season, Nov 15 – last Sat in April, at Putah Creek. Thanks for all the support folks. Cheers. . #flyfishing #flytying #wildtrout #putahcreek #voluntaryspawningclosure #generaltroutseason

A post shared by Rob Russell Fly Fishing (@robrussellflyfishing) on Jun 12, 2020 at 7:10am PDT

Under the proposed closure, fishing season would go from the last weekend in April until November 15th, with fishermen being cited for fishing during the months of March and April, the river’s best months of fishing. Fishing guides are upset that Putah Creek Trout is pushing this closure without thinking of the livelihood of the people who work on the river. Here’s a passionate note about the proposed closure from Marcel Siegle:

“For years many of us have supported the creek, from stream clean up, spawning ground restorations and fund raisers. Now the Putah creek trout organization is lobbying for a seasonal closure from November 15 till the last weekend of April. While everyone who knows the creek will tell you we would love to see a winter closure to keep people from fishing for spawners; the proposed seasonal closure would destroy recreational fishing on Putah creek, as March and April are some of the best months to fish it, before flows are pushed up for agricultural needs. Many of us already adhere to a voluntary closure, and won’t fish from November till the first of March. I have to say that I am somewhat disappointed by Putah Creek Trout for seemingly trying to ram this through without much thought what would happen to the recreational fishing as well as some of the businesses that depend on the creek.”

View this post on Instagram

#putahcreek alert. For years many of us have supported the creek, from stream clean up, spawning ground restorations and fund raisers. Now the Putah creek trout organization is lobbying for a seasonal closure from November 15 till the last weekend of April. While everyone who knows the creek will tell you we would love to see a winter closure to keep people from fishing for spawners; the proposed seasonal closure would destroy recreational fishing on Putah creek, as March and April are some of the best months to fish it, before flows are pushed up for agricultural needs. Many of us already adhere to a voluntary closure, and won't fish from November till the first of March. I have to say that I am somewhat disappointed by @putahcreektrout for seemingly trying to ram this through without much thought what would happen to the recreational fishing as well as some of the businesses that depend on the creek. If you fish the creek and have issues with this closure please contact roger.bloom@wildlife.ca.gov #putahcreek @putahcreektrout #flyfishing #saveputahcreek

A post shared by Marcel Siegle (@masterofthemoment) on Jun 13, 2020 at 4:10pm PDT

A shorter closure has been proposed in the past, which would run from December 1 to March 1, but according to the Putah Creek Trout “would require the initiation of a lengthy review process and has a low probability to be ultimately successful.”

Putah Creek Trout is asking for the public’s opinion on the proposed closure through an online survey. You can take the survey here or voice your opinion to CDFW supervisor Roger.Bloom@wildlife.ca.gov.

Should there be a 6-month closure on Putah Creek? Let us know in the comments!