Fishing News For 4-26-2010

Eastern Sierra trout-fishing season opens Saturday | Outposts | Los Angeles Times

The last Saturday in April is almost here — a day many freshwater anglers statewide look forward to with great anticipation because it marks the opening of the Eastern Sierra general trout-fishing season.

Many of them are likely en route or packing their gear in their vehicles, getting ready to hit the highways for some of their favorite fishing areas in Inyo and Mono counties, hoping to find the spot where they can catch their daily limit or their first lunker.

Department of Fish and Game is stocking as many bodies of water as possible, though each water planted throughout California must now go through a “Pre-Stocking Evaluation Protocol,” which requires the DFG to consider sensitive or listed species in each water relative to the stocking of trout, in response to a legal action challenging its hatchery and stocking operations.

“We have planted more than 56,000 pounds of trout for the opener and expect to plant about as many trout as usual by July,” said Bill Cox, Department of Fish and Game Hatchery Program Manager.

via Eastern Sierra trout-fishing season opens Saturday | Outposts | Los Angeles Times.

Fishing Report: Hot Inshore & Offshore Fishing Around Tampa Bay

Hello From Anna Maria,

It’s typical April here on the Island of Anna Maria, the weather is great and fishing is even better. Tampa and Sarasota Bay fishing on the flats, near shore and offshore is spectacular. It’s like I always tell people, April is so good inshore and offshore it’s hard to decide which direction to go. I guess that’s why I spend some part of the day inshore and part of the day offshore because I hate to feel like I’m missing out on any of the action. You name it and it’s biting, well maybe I shouldn’t say that because we are a couple of weeks away from tarpon season, but I have already been seeing a few around and there are some at the bridges as well.

Inshore the trout have been on fire, possibly the best trout fishing I have ever done. They are everywhere, they are big and they are biting. Almost all the trout we are catching are keepers, 17 to 20 inches has been the average size. Pretty much every day we fish for them we have been catching trout up to 23 inches. We have been getting a lot in the 24 to 27 inch class, true trophy size fish. The trout are looking great and I couldn’t be happier, it’s great to see the species flourish.

via Sport Fishing.

Fish & Game: fishing in Idaho ‘better than ever’ « Idaho Reporter

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) says that fishing in the state is better than ever, based on recent increases in fishing license sales. Ed Mitchell, spokesman for the department, believes the increases may be due to several factors, including the slumping economy.

IDFG figures this week showed that sales of licenses in 2009 were at their highest levels since 1999, and sales for the beginning of 2010 are also up. According to the department, fishermen purchased 473,576 licenses last year, and sales for this year are keeping paces with last year’s trend. Some licenses are seeing double-digit gains. Residential licenses, up 19 percent, resident junior licenses, up 27 percent, resident disabled licenses, up 36 percent, three-day salmon and steelhead permits, up 33 percent, and steelhead licenses, up 15 percent, are all seeing increased interest from consumers.

via Fish & Game: fishing in Idaho ‘better than ever’ « Idaho Reporter.