Northern CA Freshwater Fishing Report

Feather River Thermalito Afterbay closed to fishing BY JIM JONES/WON Staff WriterPublished: Jun 12, 2012

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OROVILLE — Responding to rampant poaching and trespass onto closed areas below the Thermalito Afterbay outlet structure, DFG has closed fishing an Area below the Thermalito Afterbay outlet structure in the Oroville Wildlife Area (OWA). In a press release, DFG noted that the Thermalito Afterbay outlet structure has never been open to fishing, but vandals have repeatedly cut fencing blocking off access to the structure, so, as a result, DFG is closing fishing within 250 feet of the structure effective immediately through February 2013. Bob Bradbury of Johnson’s Bait and Tackle supported the closure and said, “It’s about time.” “Closing this small portion of the OWA to fishing will aid in the protection of species and enhance public safety while curtailing illegal activities such as vandalism and harvesting spring-run Chinook salmon and green sturgeon,” DFG Regional Manager Kent Smith said. “Our hope is that we can reduce the state’s liability while protecting California’s wildlife to the fullest extent.” The outlet structure is part of the State Water Project and allows for the discharge of water from the Thermalito Afterbay to the Feather River below Lake Oroville.