Lake County >> The drought may not be over, but locals are holding onto hope that streams will be running strong enough this season to take count of Clear Lake Hitch, a native fish species whose numbers have dramatically declined in the last decade.
Recently added to the state’s list of threatened species, the hitch have the advocacy efforts of the local Chi Council behind them and if water is flowing in the county’s creeks, the council will be conducting its annual count beginning at the end of February.
The past two years’ dry creek beds have made counting the fish nearly impossible. With little known about the species’ spawning habits, anticipation surrounds this season’s run.
“After two years of virtually no hitch activities, we’re wondering what will happen; does this mean there will be a great big run or that the species has diminished so much there won’t be many at all?” Chi Council member Victoria Brandon asked. Since July 1, the county has been fortunate to receive about 19 inches of rain, according to member Terry Knight. By this time last year, the county had received about 1.83 inches of rain from July 1.
But despite the promising numbers, Knight is still wondering if there will be enough water in the streams in two months time.
“The lake would have to get up to about 5 feet before any significant water is seen in the streams,” Knight said. “There’s water coming down Kelsey and Adobe creeks but they’re already starting to drop.”
There are a little over a dozen creeks the hitch run in.
With running water, the Chi Council will be signing up volunteers to help count Hitch in February and March. No experience is necessary to collect data and the job includes some perks for nature lovers, including bald eagle and osprey sightings.
If there’s a decent run, Brandon said the council will plan a field trip so the public can see the now-elusive fish in action.
In other Chi Council news, permitting requirements for incidental take are still being drawn up by the Department for Fish and Wildlife. Meanwhile, funding for a genetics study, which will hopefully increase the efficacy of protection efforts, is being sought.
Local tribes are continuing to apply for grants for a number of protection efforts as well, including the restoration of Robinson Creek, the creation of a fisheries management plan and building of a fish ladder at the Main Street bridge on Kelsey Creek.
Finding a solution for preventing juvenile hitch from being drawn up by water intake lines is proving difficult, however.
Counting methodology will be discussed at the upcoming Chi Council meeting on Jan. 28 at 3:30 p.m. at the Lake County Agricultural Center located at 883 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport.
For information, email chicouncil@lakelive.info.
