The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will plant extra fish in Bay Area lakes in December to spark a family tradition of angling during the holidays. The additional plants will begin during the last two weeks of the month.

"To help San Francisco Bay Area anglers enjoy quality time with family and friends in the outdoors, we'll stock local lakes with something anglers will enjoy: larger fish and more of them," said Ethan Rotman, coordinator of DFG's Fishing in the City Program in the San Francisco Bay Area. "DFG urges anglers of all skill levels to fish during the holiday season. It's a great way to spend some fun time in beautiful surroundings, and the activity level required for angling provides light exercise, which can prove refreshing and reduce stress during this hectic time of year. Moreover, with skill and a little luck anglers can bring home their fresh catch for the dinner table."

With special funding from the Sportfish Restoration Fund, DFG will plant an additional 11,500 pounds of rainbow trout in select Bay Area lakes, ranging from 1- to 3-pounds each. The lake stocking, which DFG synchronizes with holiday family-oriented events, is in addition to regular stocking from the Department or the local park agencies.

?Ģ In the East Bay, DFG will plant 1-pound trout in Hidden Valley Lakes in Martinez, Lake Refugio in Hercules, Shadow Cliffs Reservoir in Livermore, Lakeshore Park in Newark, Lake Elizabeth in Fremont, and Quarry Lakes in Newark.?Į?Ģ In the South Bay, DFG will plant 1- to 3-pound trout in Cottonwood Lake in San Jose, Spring Valley Lake in Milpitas, and Lake Vasona in Los Gatos. Additionally, Lake Cunningham in San Jose will receive 1-pound trout.?Į?Ģ In the San Francisco, Marin, and Sonoma areas, DFG will plant 1-pound trout in Lake Chabot in Vallejo, Scottsdale Pond in Novato, Bon Tempe Reservoir in Fairfax, and South Lake Merced in San Francisco. Additionally, Lake Ralphine in Santa Rosa will receive 1- to 3-pound trout.

Since 1995, DFG's Fishing in the City Program has worked to improve fishing opportunities close to where people live and work. Information on where to fish, and upcoming learn-to-fish programs are found on the DFG website at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/oceo/fishcity/. Anglers are encouraged to fish safely, remember to wear licenses and put all extra fishing line and garbage into appropriate receptacles.

Funding for the Fishing in the City program comes through the Sportfish Restoration Fund, a federal excise tax on the sale of fishing tackle and motorboat fuel. The California fishing operation is now the largest program of its kind in the country, serving eight California regions and expanding to serve rural audiences.

"The strength of the program lies in its ability to build partnerships with local communities," Rotman said. "The Department works with local schools, service clubs, park agencies, lake managers and just about anyone else interested in kids, fishing and clean water."

For information on how to bring Fishing in the City to a community, call the program at (415) 892-0460, or visit the DFG Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov.