Solano Lake -- an apology and information

maodiver · Member

Solano Lake -- an apology and information

Xnjb707X · Senior Member

I just flipped through the 2010-2011 Cal fishing regs, and it said nothing about lake Solano NOT being C&R. So Is it included or excluded? I'm under the impression that it is included in the new change. I know your response from DFG said it wasn't considered part of Putah Creek but, how come there are no regs listed for Lake Solano in the new 2010-2011 regs? If someone can clarify this for me I would appreciate it. Thanks.

- Nic

AbelBoy · Senior Member

Xnjb707X wrote:

I just flipped through the 2010-2011 Cal fishing regs, and it said nothing about lake Solano NOT being C&R. So Is it included or excluded? I'm under the impression that it is included in the new change. I know your response from DFG said it wasn't considered part of Putah Creek but, how come there are no regs listed for Lake Solano in the new 2010-2011 regs? If someone can clarify this for me I would appreciate it. Thanks.

- Nic

If a body of water is not listed in the specific waters regulations, that body of water falls under the district regulations by default. For Lake Solano, that is the Valley District.

(d) Valley District
(1) All lakes and reservoirs except those listed by name in the Special Regulations.	All year.	5

AB

underdogyaz · Veteran Member

if solano park was included then that camp would go under i think...cept for the few old birds in the RV's

maodiver · Member

Solano Lake is NOT included, as Putah CREEK has the reg change, and it ceases to be a CREEK below the last moving water, and becomes a LAKE...according to the letter above. I am going to try to get out there tomorrow (sat) and see what is there. I wanna get my son into some 'gills.

AfricanAngler · Senior Member

Guys most probably best to get hold of Steve, Bob, or one of the other guys on the PCT board as they know exactly what the story is re; regs changes. From my understanding it is C&R from the island up.

Cheers

Alastair

-- Edited by AfricanAngler on Saturday 3rd of April 2010 08:03:28 AM

DrBombay · Senior Member

As Abelboy stated if a water isn't included in the special regs. section of the regs. It is included in the general regs. for the area wich is open year around and 5 fish limit. I have always been under the impression that putah ceases at the lower tip of the access 5 island right where you see the sign that says "no rental boats beyond this point". As for the last moving water that maodiver mentions, Solano lake has more current then one might think at first glance especially with spring/summer flows. To my knowledge there are no bluegills in the lake, Atleast not in catchable numbers, Theres alot below the lake. There is some type of small somewhat toothy fish down there, I think they might be sacramento perch or pike ? I've seen some good evening rises down near the dam and channel next to the road. There was a time when the lake was included in the winter special regs. I defenitly remember signs all the way down to the diversion dam about 20 years ago.

ONEWEIGHT · Senior Member

The regulations, as printed, are not definitive. The regs change submission which Gary Chang authored was very specific in defining boundaries. PCT specifically excluded Lake Solano from special regulations in the submission package. The final version of the regs change which came out of the Fish and Game Commission, was not as clearly defining of the boundaries as the PCT submission package for some reason.

However, I have spoken with Mary Mason, the Area Luietenant of Enforcement for DF&G. The will enforce catch and release from the tip ( as in top) of Lake Solano to Monticello Dam. DF&G WILL NOT enforce catch & release in Lake Solano.

Maodiver, you are within your rights to take fish out of Lake Solano. I would hope that you realize that much of the broodstock for Putah resides in this lake year round. These large fish are the ones which are purpetuating the population of wild trout in Putah. The creek is no longer stocked due to the center for Biological Diversity lawsuit against DF&G. Taking these fish home certainly has an impact on the longterm health of the trout population within Putah. Think twice before you take these boys home. There are many reserviors which are still stocked and might be better candidates for catch fishing.

Bob

-- Edited by ONEWEIGHT on Saturday 3rd of April 2010 12:47:56 PM

-- Edited by ONEWEIGHT on Saturday 3rd of April 2010 12:53:29 PM

Xnjb707X · Senior Member

Thanks for the feedback. Thanks Bob for the statement above. I have had several conversations on this topic and never got a solid response. Now it is clear, the reason I just wanted to know is because I do float tube Lake Solano a lot and I know whats in there, and anyone that has also knows this. I think that the lake is a prime food source for the resident rainbows that are in there, and a lot of bows work there way back down towards the lake after the spawn. The 5 limit may be a bit outdated.. but maybe it can also be changed to a size limit, like Hat Creek, or Cottonwood Creek, and both of those are wild trout water. I am looking forward to see what more the future holds for Putah. Thanks again for the feedback .. Peace.

- Nic

-- Edited by Xnjb707X on Saturday 3rd of April 2010 07:54:50 PM

SK60 · Senior Member

I would add that the regulation for Solano may change in the future if and when DFG clarifies the language on what water is included/excluded in the C/R zero limit reg. Supplemental planting in LS or PC may never return; this makes protecting the resident wild fish to whatever degree possible necessary. DFG and Solano Park rangers will not enforce the "0" reg on Solano. However, it logically follows that if special regs don't apply on LS, then the general statewide regular season reg applies and therefore, LS is currently closed to all fishing until April 24.

A bigger concern is the constant poaching that occurs year around on the creek. Its now going to be worse because any barbed hook/bait use/ keeping of fish during what was the regular seaon is now a case of breaking of the law. Putah Creek Trout, led by oneweight, is focussing on educating the lawbreakers on the new regs along with reporting their actions to DFG. We have small cards with the regs to distribute and would appreciate the forum's help in handing them out on the creek. We are happy to mail them to anyone interested in helping educate the uninformed. We also appreciate being told when signs are being ripped down, as recently reported by Dr Bombay, so that Bob can get replacements up.

A new Anglers survey form for boxes will soon be available for both on line and paper reporting. Please continue to fill them out-this data is being used by DFG to evaluate the state of the fishery. Reports fell off in February and March even though a lot of you have been seen fishing the creek.

Leicafish · Veteran Member

Mike,

Thanks for the apology. You are absolutely correct. Solano is not affected by the reg change on Putah. It is open and NOT subject to the general trout season regs.

That said, please be aware of what Oneweight said. They are no longer planting Solano and any trout taken out of there are wild trout. There are few if any holdover catchable size rainbows left from the last plant. Have at the bass and sunfish but please release any wild trout caught.

Gary

Bonk · Member

Hello! I would like to take my son and daughter fishing for pan and/or bass in Lake Solano. Any recommendations? I literally would just like them to hook something, don't care how big. Any decent place for panfish of any size? We would be throwing everything back as we don't eat fish, just like to catch them!

DrBombay · Senior Member

I think theres a pond somewhere in the lake solano park property that is stocked with fish for kids to catch. Otherwise I wouldn't bother panfishing in the lake. It may look like a "bass or panfish" lake but its not. Better off going to the upper portion of berryessa for some bank fishing. I bet you could get some bluegills up there from shore.

SK60 · Senior Member

The pond is small and contains fish mostly when special plantings for scheduled events take place. Check with the office there 530-795-2990

Emerger · Senior Member

The pond was only half filled with water and completely weed choked when I saw it last on Saturday am.