California Must Euthanize 350,000 Hatchery Trout After Bacteria Outbreak

"A bacteria outbreak in two state hatcheries is forcing the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to euthanize about 350,000 rainbow trout, which could affect fishing stock in some state waterways this summer.

Two Fish and Wildlife hatcheries in the Eastern Sierra have been fighting an outbreak of a naturally occurring bacteria, Lactococcus petauri, since it was first detected in April, according to a news release from the agency. But this week, staff at the Black Rock and Fish Springs hatcheries determined that about 350,000 infected rainbow trout were showing signs of disease and must be euthanized.

The two facilities typically stock waterways for recreational fishing in Imperial, Inyo, Mono, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, so availability in those areas will potentially be affected. But Fish and Wildlife officials are working to contract with external vendors to ship in other stock to not substantially affect fishing opportunities, the statement said."

Grace Toohey reports for the Los Angeles Times June 21, 2022.

Source: LA Times, 06/22/2022