The historic range of California golden trout (CGT) includes two watersheds draining the Kern Plateau of the southern Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California. CGT are native to Golden Trout Creek (GTC) and the South Fork of the Kern River (SFKR), an area encompassing approximately 593 square miles (1,536 sq. km). They historically occupied GTC from the headwaters, with the possible exception of the upper reaches of some tributary streams and headwater lakes, downstream to a series of waterfalls near the mouth. In the SFKR, CGT were present from the headwaters downstream at least to the southern end of the present-day Dome Land Wilderness (Figure 1) and perhaps downstream of Lake Isabella. They may also be found in several populations [...]
Summary
The historic range of California golden trout (CGT) includes two watersheds draining the Kern Plateau of the southern Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California. CGT are native to Golden Trout Creek (GTC) and the South Fork of the Kern River (SFKR), an area encompassing approximately 593 square miles (1,536 sq. km). They historically occupied GTC from the headwaters, with the possible exception of the upper reaches of some tributary streams and headwater lakes, downstream to a series of waterfalls near the mouth. In the SFKR, CGT were present from the headwaters downstream at least to the southern end of the present-day Dome Land Wilderness (Figure 1) and perhaps downstream of Lake Isabella. They may also be found in several populations outside of their original range established from transplants from GTC about 100 years ago. Many populations outside the original range are established from stocking of hatchery produced fingerlings from the Cottonwood Lakes brood stock, which were discovered in the 1990’s to be hybridized with rainbow trout. These are found primarily in the Sierra Nevada between Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks.