Our first backpacking adventure took up to the the Golden Trout Wilderness in the Southern Sierra Nevada. The Little Kern golden trout is native to the Little Kern River and its tributaries in the Sierra Nevada range, Tulare County, California. In the Little Kern River Drainage there is a five-trout limit. The Little Kern golden trout, found in the Little Kern River basin, and the Kern River rainbow trout, found in the Kern River system are sometimes referred to as the “golden trout complex.” This trout can reach sizes up 11 pounds. Together, these three trout form what is sometimes referred to as the "Golden Trout Complex". Trail continues on to the Kern Ranger Station Bridge, crossing the Big Kern into the Inyo National Forest at the east end of the trail. The finding of substantial genetic variation in the wild … Additionally, settlers introduced non-native trout species to the basin and its alpine lakes. … The Little Kern golden trout (LKGT) is one of three subspecies of rainbow trout endemic to the Kern River Basin of California’s southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. … That trip was a complete success as I caught all three. The Little Kern … the Kern River. Both are found in the GTW. The bridge is also built to handle equestrian use, which visitors are likely to see.Show more On the main stem of the Kern River, from the point where trail 33E30 turns east, to Tyndell Creek, there is a two-trout limit and no rainbow trout over ten inches in total length can be taken. This fish has golden flanks with red horizontal bands on each side. California golden trout are found in their natal streams of Golden Trout Creek and the South Fork Kern River and in addition have been transplanted to many other isolated lakes and locations for the purpose of sportfishing. Little Kern golden trout were historically found in 100 miles of stream above the natural waterfall barrier at the mouth of the Little Kern River. * ... A month later I was back on the road to go for the Little Kern golden, Kern River rainbow, and a qualifying California golden. The majority of the Little Kern watershed … This part of the river is fishable up or downstream and either side. Trout in the other two Little Kern River basin populations, sampled in head-waters of a stream tributary to the Little Kern River, were considered to be the threatened Little Kern golden trout, S. a. whitei Evermann, due to their high degree of genetic similarity to the geographically distinct subspecies S. a. aguabonita sampled from the eastern Kern River area. Between 1974 and 1996, approximately 100 applications of piscicides were used to reduce introduced or hybridized populations, 27 fish barriers were used to isolate populations, and nearly 80,000 fish were transplanted or moved to assist recovery efforts (Lusardi et al. … The golden trout is closely related to two other rainbow trout subspecies found in this wilderness. 2015). Golden Trout that is. From 2013 to 2015, it appears … Guests travel by horseback into remote areas of the Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia National Park to fish for isolated species of Golden Trout and Kern River Rainbows. However, golden trout populations have dwindled throughout the state and in the area due to predation and interbreeding from the non-native European brown trout. 1973). Pure populations of golden trout inhabit fewer than 10 … We hiked in from Jerkey Trailhead to the bridge at the Little Kern River. The elevation of the Little Kern is about 1.8 - 3 km (about 6,000 to 10,000 feet). Two subspecies are recognized; South Fork Kern golden trout and the Little Kern golden trout. July 27, 2017. However, golden trout populations have dwindled throughout the state and in the area due to predation and interbreeding from the non-native European brown trout. Besides the California Golden (technically known as the Golden Trout Creek golden trout), there’s also the Little Kern Golden Trout and Kern River Rainbow. DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 | DAY 7 | DAY 8 (Day 1 of 8) I got it into my head to do a good look around of the Golden Trout Wilderness. Yesterday turned into 2 separate 5 hour drives to and from the trailhead, plus a brutal, miserable, & frustrating 5 mile out and back hike at 8000 feet with 45 pounds on my back. This wilderness contains all of the Little Kern River’s drainage as well as the North and South Fork of the Kern River plus 117 miles of streams; the Golden Trout Wilderness is a true trout haven. Little Kern golden trout are still found in their native habitat in the Little Kern River. The bridge is also built to handle equestrian use, which visitors are likely to see. DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 | DAY 7 | DAY 8 (Day 8 of 8) A little poking around find the remains of a dead horse left just up the hill from the trail and the trail that cuts across to the Little Kern River from Willow Meadows. They are referred to as ‘parr marks.’ The upper … The Little Kern golden trout has a slightly subdued coloration when compared to the California golden trout and is somewhat intermediate between the California golden and the Kern River rainbow trout. As the region was settled in the late 1800s, individuals were moved above additional barriers that had historically kept the subspecies out of the headwaters. The Little Kern is a tributary of the Kern River. The golden trout is California's state fish. This hard fighting fish is a rush to catch. Also on each side, there are around 10 dark, oval, vertical marks. Unfortunately, the Little Kern Golden is not as well known or photographed as the South Fork Kern Golden, which holds the honor of being the California … Pure populations of golden trout inhabit fewer than 10 … Extensive stocking of non-native rainbow trout in the basin during the first half of this century … “Here the trail branches, and there are two routes to Big Cottonwood, two or three … We'll be catching up with the others just as soon as we can. I took a solo trip, August 6-8, 2010 to visit the Golden Trout Wilderness in search for gold. This wilderness contains all of the Little Kern River’s drainage as well as the North and South Fork of the Kern River plus 117 miles of streams; the Golden Trout Wilderness is a true trout haven. 0. UV Index. Locate the trailhead. Golden Trout Wilderness tour: Lewis Camp Sequoia National Forest. Day hikes and over night hikes to this area are common for those wanting to fish the area for Golden Trout. The Little Kern golden trout (LKGT) is one of two golden trout subspecies designated as the California State fish. Offers scenic views of Sierra, crosses the Little Kern River on a suspension bridge, then to Trout Meadow Ranger Station, Willow Meadow, and north to the Big Kern River, up to the Little and Big Kern Lakes. Little Kern Golden Trout are the only native salmonid in this basin. The Hockett Trail followed these streams from its crossing of the Little Kern at Wet Meadows Creek, down the Little Kern Valley, up Kern Canyon, Golden Trout Creek, and finally the South Fork Kern. By 1975 just a few thousand trout remained in about 10% of the historic range (=10 river miles), prompting its designation as a federally … Windsor Nature Discovery Is Now Part Of Our Family! In this article, I am going to show you how to do just that. Free Shipping Every Day On All U.S. Orders Over $45! Little Kern River Golden-Trout : from our Fish and Shelll Print collection. You can easily fish from shore or wade … Away from the camp, the trail is quite obvious as it climbs steadily, once … I’m home; I’m supposed to be in the wilderness fly fishing. Back to Directory. The Little Kern Golden Trout is native to the Little Kern River and the accessible reaches of its major tributaries in Tulare County, California. Golden Trout Wilderness tour: Little Kern River Sequoia National Forest. WILDERNESS ETHIC . We'll be catching up with the others just as soon as we can. Daylight. The three watersheds of the golden trout are, from west to east, the Little Kern River, Golden Trout Creek, and the South Fork Kern. Kern River Rainbow are fairly nonspecific on flies and plentiful. The Little Kern golden trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss whitei) is native to high elevation streams and lakes in the Little Kern River, in the southern Sierra Nevada. Little Kern Golden Trout … … California Dept. Both golden trout subspecies were endemic to the Kern River watershed prior to European settlement, with the Little Kern form restricted to the Little Kern River above a natural barrier (Evans et al. The Little Kern Golden Trout (O. mykiss whitei) is the second prettiest fish in the world.Except for the stunning South Fork Kern Golden trout (O. mykiss aquabonita) the Little Kern Golden has the most spectacular coloration and features a trout can have. Little Kern River golden trout are generally restricted to small stream habitats with suitable spawning gravels, annual flows with oxygen levels greater than 5 ppm, and the provision of other life stage requirements typical of the area that provide food, cover, rearing habitat and protection from disturbances that degrade the water quality and stream bed. The Little Kern is a subspecies of golden trout, California's state fish, along with the Volcano Creek variety. 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