Status of Golden Trout: Assessments on the Kern Plateau, California

Upper Kern River basin is the native range for three subspecies of golden trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp): California golden trout, Little Kern golden trout, and Kern River rainbow trout. Kern Plateau, a high elevation, low precipitation area near Mojave Desert ecoregion is subject to frequent wild fires. Following 2011 Lion Fire (20,000+ acres) in the Little Kern basin, concerned partners received WNTI funding for post-fire population and habitat assessments for the Threatened Little Kern golden trout. Partners have conducted fish population surveys across 85% of this basin through 2014 field season. In 2014, about 2,000 Little Kern golden trout were captured during electrofishing surveys that included population estimates for 25 segments on 10 tributary streams. During the third year of drought California golden trout were surveyed to determine status in response to drought-effected stream discharge and diminished habitat. Introgressive hybridization with rainbow trout remains the primary challenge for conservation of golden trout. Genetic status monitoring has provided basis for developing golden trout genetics management plans. These plans will be used to guide future restoration efforts for these trout and surveys to provide pre-restoration project information were initiated with other actions in the California golden trout Conservation Strategy.