THE HOT CREEK HATCHERY

The Hot Creek Hatchery was born in 1936 and has evolved to the point of being one of the most important broodstock and production facilities in the western United States. The hatchery not only stocks numerous Eastern Sierra locations with catchable rainbow trout, it supplies fertilized trout eggs to other hatcheries throughout California, the United States, and around the world. In addition to the catchable trout program, the Hot Creek Hatchery is deeply involved with insuring the future survival of wild and native trout species such as browns, cutthroat, golden and the popular Kamloops rainbow strain. The hatchery supports the sole spawning operation in the state for the prized Kamloops. Junction Reservoir, located in northern Mono County, has for decades been the only location for supplying fertilized Kamloops eggs for production trout stocking in waters throughout California.

FACT SHEET - HOT CREEK HATCHERY

• PRODUCES 12.75 million fertilized trout eggs yearly for supplying 10 CDFG operated hatcheries throughout the state.
• PRODUCES 2 million fingerling and sub-catchable rainbow, brown and Kamloops rainbow trout for put and grow waters in the state.
• PRODUCES 1.7 million put and take catchable rainbow trout for stocking in Eastern Sierra waters.
• PRODUCES trophy class heavyweight broodstock rainbow trout for eventual stocking in Eastern Sierra waters.
• PRODUCES 700,000 thousand sub catchable Kamloops rainbow strain trout for put and grow waters.
• PRODUCES 500,000 thousand fertilized Kamloops rainbow trout eggs for shipment to other hatchery locations.

THE HOT CREEK HATCHERY FOUNDATION

On December 7, 2004, the CDFG and the Hot Creek Hatchery Foundation, Inc. formed, through a cooperative agreement, a public-private partnership. This pilot program will provide a permanent funding source and long-term master plan for the facility. The Foundation is a charitable, non-profit public benefit corporation, which will bring an infusion of independent funding and entrepreneurial energy to the operation while, at the same time, being tempered by State government stability and oversight.

Support for the partnership came from CDFG Director Ryan Broddrick: "We understand the important role that hatcheries play in supporting recreational opportunities in nearby communities and it is important that those communities have a stake in this process. I look forward to working with local groups such as the Hot Creek Hatchery Foundation to maintain and improve our hatchery operations statewide."

The initial goal of the partnership will focus on the Foundation providing for some of the operational costs at the hatchery. However, the vision for the Hot Creek Hatchery is not limited to maintaining the "status quo". The intent is to develop the potential of the facility and promote self-sufficiency.

VISION STATEMENT

The partnership seeks to manage the Hot Creek Hatchery in a manner that: ...uses sound fisheries management and husbandry practices in fish production, distribution, and facility operations.

• ... is based on sound economic principles that promote economic benefits for the community and the State of California.
• ...acts to preserve and enhance California's fisheries resources. ...enhances fishing opportunities in the State of California.

PROGRAMS

1. The Americans with Disabilities Act. Programs designed specifically for the Handicapped are woefully short in the freshwater fishing industry. The existing Infrastructure and historic ponds located at the Hot Creek Hatchery lend themselves to more adaptive angling opportunities for the physically challenged.
2. Kids Fishing Programs. With the success of the Mammoth Lakes Kids Fishing Festival, and the CDFG's high profile urban fishing programs, the partnership desires to accommodate and expand kids fishing opportunities at the Hot Creek Hatchery.
3. Visitor Center. Given the interesting history and the operational complexity of the Hot Creek Hatchery, the partnership desires to construct a Visitor Center on the premises. The Visitor Center will serve as an interpretive function as well as a focal point for organized tours and the public in general.
4. Education. The partnership desires to expand educational opportunities at the Hot Creek Hatchery. Working with educational institutions, environmental and life history curriculums could be developed. Cooperative internship programs with educational institutions could be developed to promote interest in the fields of fisheries biology and aquaculture, and insure a qualified employment pool for the entire State Hatchery system.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Join the Eastern Sierra Trout Team!

The Eastern Sierra Trout Team is a distinguished group of individuals, corporations, businesses, organizations, and civic leaders who provide financial support each year to the Hot Creek Hatchery Foundation. Any individual or organization making an annual contribution of $1,000 or more to the Foundation automatically qualifies for membership in the Eastern Sierra Trout Team. Gifts of all sizes are needed to support the Hot Creek Hatchery. All donors of $100 or more will be listed in the Foundation's newsletter and will be invited to the annual barbeque.

2005 EASTERN SIERRA TROUT TEAM GOALS.

1. The Hot Creek Hatchery Foundation must raise $200,000 to support its share of Hatchery operations.
2. Historic ponds at the Hot Creek Hatchery will be opened on a limited basis to provide fishing opportunities for kids.

DONATIONS

Please help support trout fishing in California. Donations to this worthwhile cause would be greatly appreciated. Please make your check payable to: "Mammoth Community Foundation" with a memo on the check saying "Hot Creek Hatchery Foundation account". This will be a tax-deductible charitable donation.
Mail to:

Mammoth Community Foundation (501 c3)
c/o Porter & O'Dell, CPA
P. O. Box 3788
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Tax Id #95183

For mare information on the Hot Creek Hatchery Foundation, please go to: www.HotCreekHatcheryFoundation.org

For more information on the CDFG's hatchery program, please go to: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/fishl.html