Status of Little Kern Golden Trout
The Little Kern golden trout was federally listed as threatened and critical habitat was designated concurrently on April 13, 1978 (43 FR 15427). The critical habitat of the Little Kern golden trout is the main channel of the Little Kern River and all streams tributary to the Little Kern River above the barrier falls located on the Little Kern River one mile below the mouth of Trout Meadows Creek. These streams are located within Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia National Park (43 FR 15427).
The primary cause of decline in Little Kern golden trout was the introduction of non-native rainbow trout which resulted in hybridization with Little Kern golden trout and reduction in the number of pure populations (43FR15427, Christenson 1984). Unauthorized transplantation and upstream migration of non-native fish within the Little Kern drainage are still concerns (Christenson 1984).
Recovery Plan
The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), USFS, Sequoia National Park, and the Service have been cooperating for over 20 years to recover the Little Kern golden trout. The CDFG's Revised Fishery Management Plan for the Little Kern golden trout (Christenson 1984) serves as a recovery plan for the species. Activities undertaken by the above agencies have included habitat improvement projects, range monitoring, and the removal of Little Kern golden trout x rainbow trout hybrids and restocking with Little Kern golden trout. Removal of hybrid fish and replacement with pure Little Kern golden trout has not been completely achieved (Nokes in litt. 1998). Further genetic testing from trout sampled throughout the Little Kern drainage is needed before the current status of the Little Kern golden trout can be fully assessed (McGuire in litt. 2002a).
The recovery objectives for the Little Kern golden trout include: restoring the subspecies to population levels where they can be delisted; removing all non-native fish species from designated critical habitat; restoring damaged critical habitat; and protecting Little Kern golden trout from genetic contamination and competition from non-native fish species, habitat deterioration, and excessive angler harvest (Christenson 1984). As of 1997, the majority of the Little Kern drainage was thought to have had its fish fauna restored through the removal of non-native and hybrid fish and restocking with pure Little Kern golden trout (USFS 2001c). However, recent genetic testing has shown that hybrids now occur within the southwest section of the Little Kern drainage, and within sections of Soda Springs Creek (USFS 2001c).
The CDFG has been involved in an intensive program to eradicate the non-native fish species within the Little Kern River system. Over the last 25 years, treatment with antimycin or rotenone (fish toxicants) has been used to treat many of the streams, lakes, and a portion of the Little Kern River. The CDFG has repaired two fish barriers near the Rifle Creek drainage to prevent the encroachment of introduced fish into GT-LK habitats (Stephens pers. comm. 2001). CDFG is also evaluating two potential barrier sites near Soda Springs and along the lower Little Kern River (Stephens pers. comm. 2001). Although these activities are intended to restore and protect populations of Little Kern golden trout, they may result in take of individuals of the species.
