Four tagged trout remain as part of 150,000 pound plant at Central California reservoir
July 20, 2019 - A second tagged trout has been pulled from Lake McClure, netting $1,000 for Dillon Tallent of Riverbank. It was caught less than a week after the first of six tagged trout was hauled in.
Dillon and his girlfriend, Kayla Hedrick, and other family members had been fishing at McClure Point on July 13 after learning about the recent large trout plant at the foothill reservoir.
They had caught several fish between three and four pounds and a couple that were larger – including one that was 12 pounds.
The following day, Dillon went to get them off the ice to fillet them and noticed the tag.
“I was shocked. I called my girlfriend over. She was as shocked as I was. I thought no way. ”
Dillon said the fish were caught on worms.
His advice to fellow anglers at McClure: “Stay patient – and go deep.”
Four tagged trout remain in Lake McClure, each worth $1,000. They were part of a large trout plant of 150,000 pounds of rainbow and brook trout planted in early July. The enormous plant is part of an effort by Merced Irrigation District to restore fishing in Lake McClure to levels that existed before the multiyear drought.
The first tagged trout in Lake McClure was caught by Joshua Moua of Merced on Tuesday July 9 while he was fishing at McClure Point using rainbow garlic Power Bait.
During the first week of July, more than 150,000 rainbow and brook trout were planted in Lake McClure. The trout plant included thousands of pounds of trophy-sized fish reaching up to 18 pounds. More than 6,000 trout were planted that were over four pounds and more than 20 inches in length. More than 1,500 were planted weighing at least 8 pounds and measuring up to 30 inches. The average trophy trout size is about 10 pounds and 2 feet in length.
Anyone catching a tagged trout should contact the Parks and Recreation staff at the reservoir to collect their prize. Anglers can also call 209-354-2954.
“Fish are being caught. And people are having a great time. Fishing is back at Lake McClure. If you’re not fishing here, you’re probably fishing in the wrong place,” said MID Parks and Recreation Director Brooke Gutierrez.
Lake McClure and nearby McSwain offer hundreds of campsites with picnic tables and barbeque grills. Several of the RV sites come equipped with electric, water, and sewer hookups. RV sanitary dumping stations are also available. Lakes McClure and McSwain also offer park-model cabins for rent.
Anglers visiting Lake McClure are asked to support the trout restoration by filling out short survey cards located throughout Lake McClure recreation areas and at the entrance kiosks. The feedback provided will directly support the stocking program.
For more on Lake McClure recreation, visit www.LakeMcClure.com
Source: MID
Related: Merced Irrigation District Announces Six Trout Planted in Lake McClure in Mariposa County With $1,000 Tags
