Big Bear Lake, CA, Oct. 1, 2014 – 3600 pounds of Trout were added to Big Bear Lake this morning just in time for Troutfest this weekend. Overseeing the fish plant was MWD interim GM Mike Stephenson along with Big Bear lake Mayor Jay Obernolte, Mayor Pro-Tem David Caretto, and City Councilman Rick Herrick, as well as MWD Board members Maryann Lewis and Vince Smith.
600 of the 3600 pounds of fish are ‘trophy fish’ weighing at least 6 pounds each. Every year, based on the number of fishing licenses sold, the State will supply a certain number of fish to plant. MWD also grows and plants its own fish. However, due to the on-going drought and the higher cost of fish, those numbers were much smaller than in previous years. Because of the economic impact of fishing on the valley and specifically Troutfest weekend, the Big Bear Lake City Council decided to partner with the MWD in order to supplement the plant and make this years addition of fish to the lake as robust as in years past.
