They Just Put 9,000 Lbs of Trout Into the Lafayette Reservoir. Here’s Why.

LAFAYETTE, CALIFONIA – When you hear “reservoir”, you might immediately think about drinking water, and cleanliness.

Your thoughts probably don’t immediately encompass things like “9,000 pounds of fish.” Yet authorities just dumped more than four tons of trout into the local reservoir over the last few months.

Why?

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has been running its annual cold-season trout stocking program. By the week of Feb. 9-13, the schedule shows a cumulative 9,000 pounds of trout planted since early November.

That number isn’t a one-time dump. It’s the running total of multiple plantings meant to keep the reservoir fishing-friendly during the months when trout do best.

About 1,000 pounds of fish have been plunked into the waters each month, according to a tally on the wall at the reservoir’s visitor’s center. They come from Mt. Lassen.

More are on the way, too!

The goal here is simple: EMBUD, which controls the reservoir, wants to provide opportunities for people to come and fish.

If you go to the reservoir primarily to walk, you might never have thought about casting a line into the water. But you’ve probably seen people fishing from the docks surrounding the reservoir itself, or cruising around in small boats with rods.

Fishing is popular at the reservoir. Some people do it for sport, while others come to help add a healthy protein source for their family, on the cheap. In addition to the trout, there are black bass, catfish and even goldfish.

There are likely natural trout and other fish in the reservoir. But stocking is basically how urban reservoirs “manufacture” a reliable trout season.

Trout are a cold-water fish. In many Bay Area lakes and reservoirs, summertime water temperatures (and overall conditions) can make it hard for trout to thrive long-term. So instead of hoping a self-sustaining trout population sticks around year-round, agencies stock “catchable” fish during the cool months when survival and bite conditions are better.

EBMUD says they’re mainly putting in rainbow and lightning trout.

Thinking of dropping a line in the water?

EBMUD says anglers need a California fishing license plus an EBMUD Fishing Access Permit, which you can purchase at the Visitor Center.

EBMUD also has an active notice about harmful algae at Lafayette Reservoir. You won’t want to touch the water, and EBMUD says “Fish caught here may be consumed after you throw away the intestinal tract and liver, and rinse filets with tap water.”

So, won’t all those fish, um, “contaminate” the water as they go about the normal things that fish do after eating? Does that mean our tap water is about to taste weird?

No. EBMUD makes clear that “Lafayette Reservoir is a recreational reservoir that is not currently being used for drinking.”

It’s there “as an emergency drinking supply,” so the water could be purified and used in a pinch. But it’s not part of your daily drinking water. So adding fish isn’t a problem from that perspective.

We get if you feel bummed about the shortened tower. But maybe try a new way to use the reservoir, grab a pole, and take some of those 9,000 pounds of delicious fish back out again–and onto your BBQ!