Freshwater Fish Study Findings

by | Mar 29, 2024 | News

PALETO BAY, SAN ANDREAS, MARCH 29 2024 – The San Andreas Parks Department Employees and Rangers have conducted a top-down study to identify, catalog and analyze the freshwater fish species in our lakes and rivers.

The following fish species have been identified:

  • American Shad
  • Black Bullhead
  • Blue Catfish
  • Bluegill
  • Bonytail Chub
  • Coho Salmon
  • Common Carp
  • Crappie 
  • Cutthroat Trout 
  • Delta Smelt
  • Desert Pupfish
  • FatHead Minnow
  • Golden Shiner
  • Golden Trout 
  • Goldfish
  • Green Sturgeon
  • Humpback Sucker
  • King Salmon
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Long Finned Smelt
  • Marbled Sculpin
  • Northern Tidewater Goby
  • Pacific Lamprey
  • Rainbow Trout
  • RedBelly Tilapia
  • San Andreas Golden Trout 
  • Shiner Perch 
  • Short Nose Sucker 
  • Striped Bass 
  • Striped Mullet
  • Tahoe Sucker
  • Tilapia
  • Western Mosquitofish
  • White Sturgeon
  • YellowFin Tuna

Some statistics on the above fish:
– Smallest measured fish: Western Mosquitofish, 1 oz, 1.1 inches in length
– Largest measured fish: Yellowfin Tuna, 300 lbs, 9.6 ft in length
– Median measured fish: Rainbow Trout, 4 lbs, 14 inches in length

The majority of the above species studied were identified as healthy specimens, however a number of fish species were identified for follow up study based on health concerns from the specimens studies. The below is a list of species of concern that will be monitored closely.

  • Largemouth Bass
  • Blue Catfish
  • Common Carp
  • Tahoe Sucker
  • Coho Salmon
  • Short Nose Sucker

The above fish were found in the areas of Cassidy Creek and Zancudo River. It’s important to note that the lab results do not show any signs that these fish are dangerous to humans, or dangerous for human consumption.

The San Andreas Parks Department is dedicated to studying and protecting our environment and at-risk fish species. Further studies will be conducted over the next four months to help determine the cause of the unhealthy appearance and to form an action plan on improving the fish’s quality of life and the overall ecosystem in those locations.