Camp Roberts and Nacimiento River Fishing News

No Lower Naci Steelhead Trapped in 2011

2011-12-23T09:30:00.000-08:00

No o. mykiss have been found there for the second year in a row.

Monterey County's Nacimiento River rotary screw trap, which is placed in the river at Camp Roberts during steelhead outmigration season and monitored daily as part of the requirements of the Salinas Valley Water Project, yielded zero trout in 2011.

The annual study is conducted by Fishbio (http://fishbio.com/), and involves the placement and monitoring of the rotary screw trap (RST), which is a large rotating cone mounted on floats designed to sample fish moving downstream. The RST is inspected daily by biologists for the entire monitoring period. Daily inspections included cleaning out the trap and recording each fish captured. A variety of water quality and flow data was also obtained. Fish enter the RST through the large end of the trap. As the cone is turned by the river’s current, it guides fish downstream into the live car, where they are held in river water until retrieved for sampling.

A total of 1,081 non-salmonid fish (16 different species) were captured during the 2011 sampling. The three most abundant fish were Sacramento Suckerfish, speckled dace, and lamprey. Notable gamefish captured included black crappie (2), largemouth bass (2), smallmouth bass (1), and white bass (1).

To read the entire 2011 RST Report, visit http://www.mcwra.co.monterey.ca.us/Agency_data/Fish_Monitoring/2011%20Salinas%20Basin%20Juvenile%20Outmigration.pdf

Camp Roberts fishing, hunting program temporarily suspended

2011-07-01T20:10:00.000-07:00

(From the Paso Robles Press http://www.pasoroblespress.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=73&story_id=6009

Camp Roberts has suspended its fishing and hunting program for the rest of 2011 and for most of 2012 due to several new construction projects on base.

“Temporary closure of the camp’s fishing and hunting program is essential to facilitate construction and ensure safety of the public during the construction period,” said Colonel Barbara A. Nuismer, Camp Roberts Garrison commander.

Additionally, plans are in the works with San Luis Obispo County, Caltrans and construction contractors to ensure that the high volume of equipment coming to the installation does not affect the surrounding residents or impact normal traffic flow.

Officials anticipate fishing and hunting will resume once the construction is completed near the end of 2012. These programs on Camp Roberts are open to the public and are operated by the State Fish and Game Department. Last year, close to 6,000, mostly on weekends, came on base to fish and hunt.

To gain further information on the program closure and construction progress, please contact Suzi Thomas at 238-8308 or susanne.e.thomas@us.army.mil or Major Jonathan Shiroma at 916-854-3391 or jonathan.shiroma@us.army.mil.

Lower Naci Memorial Day Fishing Report

2011-05-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

25 anglers tried their luck over the Memorial Day weekend at Camp Roberts. This was the first of 5 weekend fishing opportunities that will be offered this year on the Lower Nacimiento River.

One trout was reported caught and released. Other fish reported caught were pikeminnow, largemouth bass, white bass, and striped bass.

Camp Roberts and DFG are offering limited fishing this season. NO TROUT WILL BE STOCKED. The current regs in the Lower Nacimiento River require barbless artificial lures, with a zero limit on trout. Trout were last stocked in the Lower Naci in 2008.

The remaining fishing opportunities of 2011 are:

July 23-24

August 13-14

August 27-31
October 15-16

The flows during the Memorial Day weekend were 220 CFS. The flows during the upcoming open dates will likely be in the 400 CFS range, except for October 15-16, when the flows may be minimal.

For more information on the CampRoberts/DFG fishing program, visit http://www.calguard.ca.gov/CpRbts/Pages/HuntFish.aspx

REMINDER: Camp Roberts Fishing This Weekend

2011-05-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

The Lower Nacimiento River at Camp Roberts will be open this weekend for the first time this season. Limited fishing will be offered Saturday through Monday, May 28-30. Fishing is artificial barbless with a zero limit for trout. NO TROUT WILL BE STOCKED.

Last season, only 2 trout were reported caught to the Camp Roberts DFG station. There were numerous pikeminnow caught, and 2-3 reports of bass.

For more information on the Camp Roberts Fishing Program, visit:
http://www.calguard.ca.gov/CpRbts/Pages/HuntFish.aspx

The flows are currently a very fishable 220 cfs. The flows should remain constant throughout the weekend.

Limited Fishing Will Be Offered at Camp Roberts in 2011

2011-04-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

Camp Roberts and DFG will again offer limited fishing opportunities this season in the Lower Nacimiento River. Fishing is catch-and-release only with artificial lures with barbless hooks and a zero limit for trout.
NO TROUT WILL BE STOCKED.

2011 Camp Roberts fishing schedule:
May 28-30
July 23-24
August 13-14
August 27-31
October 15-16

For fishing hours and other info visit
http://www.calguard.ca.gov/CpRbts/Pages/HuntFish.aspx

Nacimiento Reservoir is Spilling Over

2011-03-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

Naci Reaches Max Elevation of 800' For First Time Since May '83.

A series of March storms sent Lake Nacimiento over the brink and down the spillway this weekend. According to the USGS Lower Naci River Flow Gauge, the flow spiked after midnight Saturday night as the reservoir exceeded its maximum elevation of 800' and began to spill.

The last time Naci exceeded 800' was in May, 1983, according to data on the MCWRA website. It came close to spilling in 1995 and 1998 when it reached 799'.

The flow gauge data shows the Lower Naci flow last night far exceeded the maximum peak of record, 7000 CFS in 1969.

Special Releases Initiated from Naci and San Antonio Reservoirs

2011-03-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

The MCWRA has initiated releases from Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs to comply with required Steelhead Smolt Outmigration flow criteria as described in the National Marine Fisheries Biological Opinion for the Salinas Valley Water Project. Release rates will vary, depending on natural river flow and weather conditions, to meet target flows at specified United States Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow stations.

Here are the details from the NMFS Biological Opinion for the Salinas Valley Water Project: Downstream Migration of Smolting Steelhead. To facilitate the downstream migration of smolts and rearing juvenile steelhead in the Salinas River during normal category water years, MCWRA will provide, beginning March 15th, reservoir releases (hereafter referred to as “block flows”) when the following flow triggers are met:

• the water year type is dry-normal, normal-normal, or wet-normal,

• combined storage of Nacimiento and San Antonio reservoirs is 150,000 AF or more, and

• 125 cfs or higher at the Nacimiento River below Sapaque Creek gage (USGS stream gage 11148900), or 70 cfs at the Arroyo Seco below Reliz Creek gage (USGS stream gage 11152050).

If block flows are triggered between March 15 and March 31, 700 cfs will be provided at the Salinas River near Soledad (USGS stream gage 11152000) for 5 days, and then thereafter 300 cfs will be maintained in the Salinas River near Spreckels (USGS stream gage 11152500) until April 20. If the block flow triggers occur in April, 700 cfs will be provided at the Salinas River near Soledad for 5 days, and then thereafter 300 cfs will be provided at Spreckels for an additional 15 days. Thus, the duration of the block flow will range from 20 to 45 days.

To read the entire Biological Opinion, visit: http://www.mcwra.co.monterey.ca.us/SVWP/SVWP_Final_BO_6-21-07.pdf

Final Camp Roberts fishing opportunity yields no trout

2010-11-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

Anglers caught zero trout in the final Camp Roberts fishing opportunity of the season, October 16th and 17th. Pikeminnow and suckerfish were the only reported catch.

83 anglers tried their luck in the Lower Nacimiento River this season; 1 single trout was caught twice, on two seperate occasions.

The MCWRA is currently attempting fish surveys in the Lower Naci, as required by the NMFS. We will pass on any updates from these surveys when they become available.

REMINDER: Final Camp Roberts fishing opportunity of the year is this weekend

2010-10-12T07:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the final opportunity of the season to fish the Lower Nacimiento River. Camp Roberts will be open for fishing Saturday and Sunday, October 16th and 17th.

For more info on limited fishing at Camp Roberts, check out http://www.calguard.ca.gov/CpRbts/Documents/Final%20Hunt%20Fish%202010%20Schedule.pdf

Good luck!

Aug 28-31 Camp Roberts fishing update

2010-09-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

19 anglers showed up for the 4 day Camp Roberts fishing opportunity August 28-31.

One trout was caught and released. Pikeminnow and suckerfish were the only other reported catch.

The final Camp Roberts Lower Nacimiento River fishing opportunity of the 2010 season will be October 16th and 17th.

The Lower Naci has been flowing at a fast 400 cfs most of the summer. The October fishing opportunity will have slower and more fishable flows. The scheduled release during mid-October is 150 cfs.

Finally! A trout in the Lower Naci!

2010-08-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

13 anglers showed up for the August 14-15 Camp Roberts fishing opportunity, nine on Saturday and four on Sunday.

One trout was caught and released. Pikeminnow were the only other reported catch.

The next Camp Roberts fishing opportunity is August 28-31.

For more information on Camp Roberts fishing scroll down to the post from April 21st.

REMINDER: Limited Camp Roberts fishing this weekend

2010-08-12T06:59:00.000-07:00

Camp Roberts will be open to limited, catch-and-release fishing this weekend, Aug. 14th and 15th. NO TROUT HAVE BEEN STOCKED.

For more information about limited fishing at Camp Roberts, scroll down to the post from April 21st.

The Lower Nacimiento River is currently flowing at a lively 397 CFS.

Pikeminnow and suckerfish were the only fish confirmed caught during the previous fishing opportunity on July 24th and 25th. There were unconfirmed reports of a trout being hooked but not landed, and a striper being caught somewhere on the base.

Good luck! Maybe somebody can find a trout in there!

Camp Roberts Memorial Day fishing update

2010-05-31T20:26:00.000-07:00

No trout caught during first fishing opportunity of 2010.

16 anglers tried their luck at Camp Roberts over the Memorial Day weekend. Pikeminnow and suckerfish were the only fish caught in the Lower Nacimiento River, according to the DFG checkstation. Additionally, several bass were caught in a stillwater area on the base.

No trout have been reportedly caught in the Lower Naci since the fall of 2008, when it was last stocked by DFG.

The next Camp Roberts fishing opportunity is July 24th and 25th.

Lower Naci pikeminnow

Lower Naci fishing opportunity reminder

2010-05-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

The Lower Nacimiento River will be open to catch-and-release fishing this weekend at Camp Roberts. NO TROUT HAVE BEEN STOCKED. For more information, scroll down to the "Limited Fishing Opportunity" post from April 21st.

For more information on the Camp Roberts Fishing Program, check out http://www.calguard.ca.gov/CpRbts/Pages/HuntFish.aspx , or call the Camp Roberts taped information line at (805)238-8167.

The river is currently flowing at a very fishable 195 CFS.

If anyone wants to share photos, especially of any fish caught, please e-mail them to me (aharrison99@att.net) and I will post them here.

Remember: the new Naci regs require barbless hooks. All trout must be released. No trout have been reported caught in the Naci since fall of 2008, when the last trout stocking occurred. The only fish reported caught during the limited 2009 fishing season were pikeminnow and suckerfish.

Good luck!

Fishing Opportunity update for Oct. 17-18

2009-10-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday and Sunday, 12 anglers (9 Saturday, 3 Sunday) tried their luck in the Lower Nacimiento River at Camp Roberts. No fish were harvested, according to DFG. Some pikeminnow were caught and released. No trout were caught.

The Naci outflow was cut to 42 CFS on Oct. 14. The low flows, coupled with muddy water released from the Naci Reservoir (which doubled in capacity from the Oct. 13 storm) contributed to poor fishing conditions. No trout were stocked in the Naci this year.

No trout have been caught in the Lower Nacimiento during the 5 Fishing Opportunity days in 2009.

If you would like to see stocking return to the Lower Nacimiento River, please write to the California Fish and Game Commission and voice your opposition to the proposed catch-and-release-only reg change. The deadline to do so (and ensure your comments will reach the commission in time to be considered for the final Public Meeting regarding this issue) is approaching fast. A catch-and-release-only regulation will close the door on any future trout stocking in the Naci.

The poison oak certainly is beautiful this time of year, but the river is a little "off-color"!

Limited Fishing Opportunity Report

2009-09-02T20:56:00.000-07:00

24 anglers got the word and showed up to fish during the 3-day fishing opportunity at Camp Roberts last Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

The take at the DFG gate was 8 pikeminnow and 2 suckerfish. 8 additional pikeminnow were caught and released. No trout were caught.

Thanks to Camp Roberts Command for allowing us to fish the Lower Nacimiento River again!

Update: Limited Fishing Opportunity at Camp Roberts

2009-08-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

The following is an update from the California National Guard website: "Fishing is now being offered in the Lower Nacimiento River on Camp Roberts on limited days only when the hunting program is open through October 18, 2009. No regular weekend fishing is being offered. Fishing will be available August 29-31 and October 17-18. Fishing will be closed during the dove hunt season. Due to current litigation against the Department of Fish and Game's fish stocking program, no fish will be stocked this season. DFG recommends anglers practice catch and release fishing although it is not required. All current regulations for the Lower Nacimiento River apply."

Further information you should know: the fishing will be limited to the area of the river from Low Water Bridge to Hwy 101. This is approximately the downstream third of the fishable river at Camp Roberts. The $15 Camp Roberts Fishing Program fee still applies. During the October fishing dates, it's likely the flow in the Lower Nacimiento will be around 25 CFS, the current minimum release.

Hopefully, the flow this weekend will stay up: currently the Naci is running about 380CFS, but Naci Reservoir is down to 18% capacity, and this is the time of year they traditionally cut the flow. This weekend will be the best fishing opportunity if the flow continues.

The Camp Roberts taped-info line number is 805-238-8167. The California National Guard Camp Roberts update address is http://www.calguard.ca.gov/CpRbts/Pages/HuntFish.aspx

Information about the Camp Roberts Fishing Program can be found at http://www.calguard.ca.gov/CpRbts/Documents/huntingFishingBrochure.pdf

Though the opportunity is limited, we are thankful for this development, and wish to thank Camp Roberts Command for their support. We also thank DFG's Legislative Representative for their part as well, plus other key DFG personnel who remain unnamed. And thank you Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee's office, particularly Debbie Arnold, for helping secure this limited opportunity to fish our home water. Any step in the right direction is SUPER, and we're thankful for it!

Good luck everybody. Baby steps are still steps in the right direction.

DFG: "No catch-and-release because of plaintiffs" Plaintiffs: "We have no control over catch-and-release" Naci fly anglers: "What's the problem?"

2009-03-06T08:38:00.000-08:00

When I asked the local DFG office to consider allowing catch-and-release fishing on the Lower Nacimiento River, I was told this was "Not an option", because "this would impact steelhead in the stream which is the issue at hand. We are unable to knowingly impact steelhead (and other species) under the lawsuit brought against the Department."

Noah Greenwald, Biodiversity Program Director for the Center For Biological Diversity, which is one of the plaintiffs in the stocking lawsuit, wrote this when I asked him for comment on DFG's Naci catch-and-release position: "I’m confused because our settlement and litigation did not in any way address fishing regulations. As a result, we have no influence over whether there is catch and release fishing in a particular water body. If DFG led you to believe otherwise, they misrepresented the facts."

Our local DFG office says it will not allow catch-and-release fishing on the Naci because the stocking lawsuit. The plaintiffs of that lawsuit have no influence over those regulations. DFG's stated justification for their stance is invalid.

Please add your voices to mine, so this bad decision can be reversed! Time is running out...