California Inland Fisheries Foundation, Inc., (CIFFI), is a volunteer operated, tax deductible 501 C3 non-profit foundation, incorporated in the State of California, dedicated to the enhancement of freshwater angling opportunities.  The cooperative efforts between CIFFI and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and many partners, provide necessary funding to sustain multiple species of fish in California’s lakes and reservoirs.  Founded in 1992, CIFFI is a success story in cooperative fishery management, beginning with Project Kokanee, and now providing assistance to many other projects.

Fisheries for NOW... and the Future!

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CIFFI Berryessa Net Pens Cleanup

CIFFI has kicked off their annual Fall Net Pen cleanup at Lake Berryessa.

Led by Board member, Alan Grossman, the team is raising the pens out of the water and power washing them in preparation for the annual trout plant in January.  Cleaning of the pens is necessary to promote a healthy habitat for the trout which will call the pens home for 4-5 months.

Working in partnership the California DFW, CIFFI receives ~1000 Eagle Lake strain rainbow trout planted across the four pens.  Raised in the pens from January and released in May, the trout grow fast with twice daily feedings and quickly be come acclimated to the natural forage at Lake Berryessa.  When released, the trout tip the scales at 2-3 pounds and will be ready to provide exciting rod-bending action for all anglers to enjoy.

Special thanks to Justin Aaberg, Tom Nigro, Billy Starks and Stan Wong for assisting in the cleaning of the first two pens.  Two more pens await cleaning, and Alan is looking for volunteers to assist.  The cleaning day will be a mid-week activity.  If you are interested in helping power wash the last two pens; reach out to Alan at 916-212-5006.

CIFFI appreciates all help in the Berryessa Pen endeavor and hope you will find helping us is worthy of your support.  The annual run rate for the pens is ~$4,000 for the food and maintenance.  If you would like to assist in defraying the cost, please link to ciffi.org and hit the ‘Donate to Ciffi’ button; this will be a credit card transaction.  If you prefer to donate via personal check; please make it out to CIFFI and mail to 7750 El Rito Way, Sacramento, CA 95831.

2025 Inland Chinook and Kokanee Plants - HOT off the press!

CA DFW has updated CIFFI on the plants for inland chinook and kokanee.

Chinook: Recall that this year’s IHN infection rate for returning Chinook was very high and negatively impacted this brood year.  Out of four lots, the first three were destroyed due to extremely high IHN infection rates.  The fourth lot passed, with low IHN infections, and those Chinook were planted in four lakes – Lakes Berryessa, Don Pedro, Pine Flat and Spaulding.

Kokanee: This was a good year for kokanee brood, our expected allotment for kokanee was 705,000 fingerlings and DFW planted 755,969.  Expected allotments per lake were either met or exceeded; with Shasta getting more than planned and even Indian Valley getting a plant, which was unexpected.

2027 should be a good fishing year for kokanee, barring any unusually dry winters; Although Chinook options will be reduced, given the level of IHN this year, we did get plants into at least four lakes.

Plants per lake are listed below.

CIFFI Pen Trout Released – New Era in Fisheries Support Begins

WINTERS – CIFFI trout pen rearing program, which kicked off in February, saw the release of over 2000 trout averaging 13-15 inches in length and weighing in at 1½ pounds.  These Eagle Lake strain rainbow trout are well known for their pole bending acrobatics, broom tails and heavy fighting ability.  The CIFFI pens reflect a dedicated effort culminating in a $50,000 dollar investment and a $4,000 annual feed spend to ensure the Berryessa fishery maintains its well-known trophy status. 

The new CIFFI pens, were first deployed in the winter of 2024-2025 and received their first fish in February 2025.  Transitioning the trout from a hatchery style feeding structure; the pens allow the trout to acclimate to the natural food sources in the lake, making them far more likely to survive longer once released into the waters of Lake Berryessa.

A big thank you to Markley Cove for their commitment to daily feedings and to Allan Grossman – CIFFI BOD member- and his crew for continuous support for the duration of the pens this past winter. 

Anglers who are interested in supporting the CIFFI Berryessa pens with a donation, can link to ciffi.org and hit the ‘donate to CIFFI’ button; we offer a secure credit card transaction with all dollars going to support the CIFFI Berryessa Pen Program.

Volunteers Land Rainbow Trout in CIFFI Berryessa Pens

WINTERS - Despite everything Mother Nature could throw at them, a team of volunteers moved two thousand pounds of Eagle Lake strain rainbow trout into the new CIFFI pens at Lake Berryessa. Working with the DFW, these dedicated volunteers (L-R: Allan Grossman, Bruce Kiser, Tom Nigro, Wyatt Aaberg, Dylan Robbins, Sam Bobb, Dave Hurley, Stan Wong, RJ Sanchez and Nate Kelsch), plus Gregg Motta, Clay Blanco, Craig Hoover, Julia Saveria and Mark, (who did the work but unable to make the lunch) - filled the pens, dealt with nasty weather and enjoyed a well-earned lunch at Putah Creek Cafe in Winters. Markley Cove has stepped up and will provide the manpower to provide daily feeding of the fish for the next few months until the planned May release date. CIFFI extends our heartfelt appreciation to this team who made the Berryessa Pens trout delivery happen. Berryessa anglers will reap the rewards of this effort once the fish are released and start to prowl the waters of Berryessa offering big broom-tail action for anglers to enjoy!

Below is the data furnished to CIFFI by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife showing Kokanee and Chinook Salmon plants within the State of California.

Volunteers are needed to help fix the problem of otters getting into the pens at Berryessa. A work party has been scheduled for October 16 & 17 at 9AM. The plan is to secure all the edges and any points of entry with angle iron and clamps to close any points of entry by the otters.

If you are available and willing to help one or both days, it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Stan Wong @ 925-818-9332 if you are able to help.  Thank You in Advance.

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Fishing Season is Here - Have Fun and Be Safe!

Spring is upon us and that means better weather, longer days and hungry fish. California has many fishing adventures to choose from this time of year. Ocean salmon and halibut, mid-elevation lakes, stripers in the Delta, Eastern Sierra lakes and rivers, and many more excellent fishing opportunities are waiting for you to go explore. Whichever California outdoor adventure you choose, CDFW reminds anglers to be safe when recreating on or near water this spring. 
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