Congratulations to Fresno resident Gavin O'Leary, who recently became the 100th person to complete the California Heritage Trout Challenge. Established in 2003 by the Department of Fish and Game, the challenge requires anglers to catch six of the 11 types of trout native to the Golden State.
While many anglers are content to fish for planted trout, others seek only native fish, which can be found from San Diego County to the Oregon border.
For those interested, here's the complete list: Eagle Lake rainbows, Kern River rainbows, coastal rainbows, McCloud River redbands, Goose Lake redbands, Warner Lakes redbands, California goldens, Little Kern goldens, Paiute cutthroats, Lahontan cutthroats and coastal cutthroat.
Anyone who completes the California Heritage Trout Challenge receive a custom certificate listing their name, color illustrations of the six different trout caught and a notation on the date and location of each catch.
Interested participants should head to the DFG's Region 4 office at 1234 E. Shaw Ave. in Fresno or visit this link for a downloadable application and information on drainages and waters where these fish can be found.
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