Thousands of trout rescued from Caples Lake. Calif.

According to a recent press release by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG, a number of its employees and volunteers working at Caples Lake rescued thousands of fish over a 72-hour period. More than 6,000 fish have been successfully transferred to two nearby lakes.

Stafford Lehr, DFG senior environmental scientist in charge of the operation said, "We adapted our fishing techniques, once we found electrofishing was the most effective method. We brought in four additional electrofishing boats for the last two nights of fishing. We cut back on our net fishing."

Rainbow, brown and brook trout made up the majority of the fish captured.

Some very large Mackinaw or lake trout Ð to 15 pounds Ð were taken.

Nearly 2,000 brook trout were transferred to Red Lake, while the remainder of the trout were released in Silver Lake.

Volunteers organized by Trout Unlimited and the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance worked alongside DFG fisheries biologists, netting fish throughout the night.

"Volunteers were instrumental in making this effort successful," said Lehr. "They are a great group of people that respect California's resources and worked tirelessly in this effort to save fish."

Volunteer Mary Miller of San Leandro, who netted fish on an electrofishing boat from 8 p.m. to midnight, said, "This is my chance to give something back to this wonderful lake. I love fishing here, and this rescue is the right thing to do to save these fish."

The rescue effort extended over four days, covering a 72-hour period.

Night fishing with electrofishing boats was the most productive method.

Net fishing yielded minimal results and was mainly curtailed.

Thursday, Aug. 28 was the last night of the rescue effort.

Dam repairs at Caples Lake required a draw-down of water which could result in substantial loss of rainbow, brown, brook and Mackinaw trout. Rescue efforts began on Aug. 26.

For information, call DFG Office of Communication, Education & Outreach in Sacramento at (916) 322-8911.