Eastern Sierra fishing season opener likely delayed
Alpine, Inyo, and Mono counties formally requested a delay to shing season in response to COVID-19. Fish and Game Commission voted…
Alpine, Inyo, and Mono counties formally requested a delay to shing season in response to COVID-19. Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to authorize the Department of Fish and Wildlife to make emergency regulations.
By Monica Prelle
The California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously today to adopt an emergency regulation authorizing the Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to temporarily make changes to fishing regulations in response to COVID-19.
Only Alpine, Mono and Inyo counties expressed concern about the influx of tourism and formally requested postponement.
CDFW Director Charlton Bonham now has the authority to delay fishing season, which is known as “Fishmas” in the Eastern Sierra and set to open April 25. The emergency regulation is for a limited duration, through May 31, and will be considered on a county-by-county basis.
“Fishing season opener is one of the most magical moments in the recreational calendar each year,” Bonham said. “This situation raises a legitimate concern at the local level regarding potential transmission of COVID 19 from outside the areas.”
Both the Commission President Eric Sklar and CDFW Director Bonham reminded the public in the telecast meeting this morning that a statewide ban was not proposed or being considered. They also emphasized that the access issues coastal communities were experiencing with closed marinas are county regulations and not managed by the Commission.
“I love the outdoors too, it is the place in which I find solace and refuge,” Director Bonham said. “Those things are sorely needed in these desperate times.”
Bonham seemed to be addressing the concerns of, and empathizing with outraged commenters at last week’s meeting, which abruptly ended and was postponed when the commission could not gain control of audio.
Public officials in Alpine, Inyo and Mono counties fear that an influx of tourism will expose residents to COVID-19 and put more stress on the already limited health care facilities.
“Fishing opener is loved by locals and visitors alike and is a major boost to the economy as thousands of people visit our region,” Inyo County Sheriff Jeff Hollowell said. “My concern is bringing anglers into the Eastern Sierra — it not only will burden out health care system but places everyone in harm’s way.”
Alpine County has just one positive case of the coronavirus, but they’d like to keep it that way, Health and Human Services Director Nicole Williamson said. There are no tourism services currently available and the county does not have a hospital.
Mono County, with its tourism-based economy, has the highest per capita COVID-19 infection rate in California, which is consistent with other rural recreation-based counties that have some of the highest rates across the nation.
“Making this decision (to delay opener) was very difficult considering the fact that I grew up coming to Mono County to fish and moved here over 20 years ago to be closer to fishing,” Mono County District 4 Supervisor John Peters said. “I want to see generations of fisher people come to the East Side and enjoy fishing in the future.”
“It is just not practical, safe, or responsible to allow people to come to our base population, and expect that we can get through the introduction of thousands of people unscathed.”
Many public officials from other counties including Trinity, Humboldt, El Dorado, and Sacramento expressed support in delaying opener in the three counties that requested it, but also said they do not want the same regulations for their own region.
Some public commenters expressed concern for a shift in pressure explaining that if people cannot fish in Alpine, Inyo, and Mono, those people might just go fish in neighboring counties.
“When opportunities are being closed it diverts that focus other places,” Mark Smith said on behalf of the Northern California Guides and Sportsmen’s Association. “We need to recognize there is going to be travel as folks attempt to do outdoor recreation and that is just reality. The fact is that actions are going to cause unintended pressure in other places.”
A few people said the inability to catch fish and feed their families was unfair because markets are low on fresh foods, and others argued that fishing is safer than standing in line at a grocery store or food bank.
Others said a delay in fishing season opener was a violation of their constitutional rights and one person declared he’d never spend money in Alpine, Inyo, or Mono County again.
Some urged the Commission to do nothing and require the counties to use law enforcement to control visitors violating the governor’s stay-at-home orders.
According to Sherriff Braun, Mono County does not have martial law nor the capacity for law enforcement for an influx of thousands of visitors with no tourism infrastructure.
“It will create utter chaos if we have fishing opener still as scheduled,” she said.
Regardless of regulations, Fishmas celebrations have effectively been postponed. There are no lodging, camping, or restaurant services currently available for tourism in Mono County. Events have been postponed indefinitely and fishing guide services are not deemed essential. Now residents will wait to see what the final decision
Now residents will wait for a final decision from CDFW Director Bonham.