Hooked on Fishing" free kid's event is tomorrow at Horseshoe Lake
The eighteenth annual "Hooked on Fishing, not on Drugs" free children's fishing event will take place from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM tomorrow [Saturday, May 22] at Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park. All area children age 14 and under are welcome. Admission is free, along with free loaner tackle, free bait, and free fish cleaning.

Thousands of pounds of catfish will be stocked, with a limit of one fish per child. Adults may help their children, but are asked to refrain from fishing themselves. A special area for "mini anglers" will be provided for the one to five-year olds.

Kids with their own tackle are encouraged to bring it, along with their favorite "secret" catfish baits. Please remember that lead sinkers are not allowed at Horseshoe Lake. Expert local anglers from the Chico Area Flyfishers, Chico Bass Club, and others will be on hand to show the kids the finer points of the sport. Children under 16 years of age do not require a fishing license in California waters.

The 8,000-plus pounds of catfish will be stocked at around noon today [Friday], and it is quite a sight. Most of the fish will weigh around 1.5 pounds apiece, and some impressive-looking larger ones often make it into the lake. The public is invited to watch the process, but once the stocking begins, fishing will not be permitted until Saturday morning when the event begins at 7:00 AM.

Another key attraction for non-fishing parents is the free fish cleaning, done by the Chico Rotary Club. Rotary will be staffing the fish cleaning tables with skilled fish cleaners, plastic bags, and plenty of ice. Successful anglers must be in line for fish cleaning no later than 12:30 PM, as the cleaning tables will be put away at 1:00 PM sharp.

During a low-water period several years ago, the Parks Department installed about a dozen "catfish spawning structures"; essentially concrete conduit pipes cut in half and placed in the lake bed. During collection for last year's aquarium display, numerous juvenile channel catfish only a few inches long confirmed the success of these structures in keeping a viable number of whiskerfish in the lake for kids to enjoy catching all year long.

Horseshoe Lake features a thriving population of game fish in addition to channel catfish, including largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, carp, bullheads, large wild goldfish, and bluegill; along with several smaller fish species, turtles and frogs. Any child catching one of these [except crappie or bluegill] and releasing it alive back into the lake will receive a new rod and reel courtesy of the Chico Bass Club. An exceptional educational aquarium display featuring the many aquatic creatures that live in the lake will be presented by the Chico Area Flyfishers.

Some years back, Chico State's Dr. Paul Maslin did an analysis on the effects of the catfish stocking on Horseshoe Lake's wild fish. He concluded that the heavy influx of catfish actually benefited the lake in the long run, with predation by the catfish on the stunted and overpopulated panfish population. The remaining crappie and bluegill were larger and healthier, with a smaller overall population vying for the available food supply. The approximate $25,000 cost for fish is shouldered by a diverse group of local businesses and individuals, including the Butte County Fish and Game Commission, Chico Noon Rotary, and Chico Sunrise Rotary.

Trout plants
The DFG planted catchable-size trout this week in the following area waters: Butte County- Paradise Lake; Plumas County- Lake Almanor; Lassen County- Buckhorn Reservoir, Dodge Reservoir; Trinity County- Ruth Lake; Shasta County- Lower-Middle Burney Creek, Baum Lake, Middle-Upper Hat Creek.

Deer Tag Application deadline
According to the DFG, hunters who plan to hunt deer, elk, antelope, or bighorn sheep have only a few weeks left to turn in an application. Applications must be received at the California Department of Fish and Game License and Revenue Branch in Sacramento by 5:00 PM on June 2. Drawing results will be available by phone and online on June 23.

Information about the drawing and hunting regulations is available in the 2010 California Hunting Digest Big Game book. The book is free and available at DFG license sales offices, independent license agents.

This year's big game hunt drawing will feature a major change in the way tags are allocated for deer hunt zones C, D-12, and D-17. Due to the high demand, tags for these zones will now be issued through the DFG's drawing system, and will no longer be available over the counter on a first-come, first-served basis.

Instead, hunters may apply for one of these hunt zone tags by submitting a First-Deer Tag Application into the big game drawing. Questions pertaining to these changes may be directed to the DFG's License and Revenue Branch at [916-928-5805], or at point@dfg.ca.gov via e-mail.

The big game drawing also awards tags for "X" zone and special deer hunts, as well as for all elk, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep hunts. Deer tags for zones A and B, and for the remaining D zones, are available through DFG offices until they are sold out.

Any licensed hunter over the age of 12 is eligible to apply for the chance to participate in more than 200 big game hunts statewide [hunters applying for bighorn sheep tags must be 16 years of age or older]. Applications to hunt antelope, el, and bighorn sheep are $7.50 each. Deer tag applications for California residents are $27.85 for the first tag, and $34.65 for the second tag are available through DFG license sales offices and independent license agents.

This season, DFG continues to offer hunting opportunities for young hunters. Apprentice Hunt instruction is offered at various skill levels. Instruction includes a pre-hunt safety orientation and expert direction and hands-on oversight in the field. Apprentice Hunt participants also are typically accompanied by a non-hunting adult. Participants in any Apprentice Hunt must still be in possession of a valid Junior Hunting License.

For information on how to apply for special deer hunts, and for antelope, elk, and bighorn sheep hunt applications, hunters may download the 2010 Big Game Hunting digest at www.dfg.ca.gov/publications/digest/ at DFG's website. Copies of the Digest will also be mailed to last year's big game drawing applicants beginning May 18, and will be available at all DFG offices and hunting license agents by May 21.