In their September 12, 2000 letter, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) indicated that the current level of recreational angling along the Borel Reach of the lower Kern River is unknown. Accordingly, they recommended that Southern California Edison (SCE) conduct a formal creel census. This would involve collecting data from anglers in the field concerning: 1) hours fished, 2) fishing method, 3) county of residence, 4) number of fish caught by species, 5) number of fish released by species, 6) estimates of fish length; and 7) use count (every two hours) so that the estimated number of angler hours and catch (including harvest) can be calculated. The survey should be conducted 12 times per month, split evenly between weekdays and weekends (DFG 2001).

In addition to the creel census, both the National Park Service (NPS) and the Sequoia National Forest (SQF) requested that SCE conduct angler surveys to record anglers’ assessments of recreational fishing in the Project area. The creel census and angler surveys would target the same user group and would be conducted by the same survey crew. Therefore, both the angler survey and creel census are addressed in this plan. The study plan presented here was developed in consultation with DFG, SQF, the NPS, and other interested parties. The plan describes the objectives and methods of the survey and how the results will be reported, and provides a schedule of survey activities and deliverables.

DFG specifically requested that the survey ascertain the year-round use of the recreational fishery. The current plan describes a 12-month angler survey and creel census, but the plan could be modified after the first five months of the survey and census have been completed. The survey and census results will be evaluated at that time to determine if the methodology could be modified to more efficiently ascertain use of the fishery during the final seven months, when use is likely to be low.

The objectives of the angler survey and creel census are to provide estimates of the angler use and the associated catch in the Borel Project area of the lower Kern River. The catch estimates will include information of the species and sizes of fish that are kept by anglers (harvest) as well as those released after capture. Results of the survey can be compared to results from other angler use surveys from upstream areas (upper Kern River) or other basins to assess relative use of the recreational fishery in the lower Kern River. The angler survey will also provide SCE and the agencies with information about anglers’ perceptions of access and fishing quality.

This portion of the Kern River has no specified "fishing season" and is open to anglers year round. While there are no size restrictions for the popular game fish, certain bag limits apply (Table 1).

This information affects the survey design and timing of the surveys. The following describes the survey methods, including survey area, timing, approach, recording of data, and data analysis.

Additional consultation with the local DFG district biologist (Christy McGuire) provided more details on the timing and geographical area to be covered during the survey. Ms. McGuire indicated that DFG was interested in ascertaining the year-round use of the recreational fishery in the lower Kern River from Isabella Dam downstream to Miracle Hot Springs, as well as a short, unfenced section of the Borel Canal. This census area was delineated into five discreet survey sections (Table 2; Figure 1).

e the The recreational angler survey is scheduled to begin in early May 2001 and extend through April 2002. While the exact size and scope of the year-round recreational fishery is not known, angling pressure is thought to be heavier during the traditional trout fishing season compared to other times of the year. Based upon this assumption, angler surveys are proposed for twelve days (six weekdays and six weekend/holiday days) per month for the five-month period of May through September 2001. For the remaining seven months (October 2001 through April 2002), angler surveys will be conducted on three weekdays and three weekend/holiday days per month. This works out to a total of 102 survey days over a one-year period (Table 3).

With these criteria in mind, a roving creel survey using a stratified two-stage design is proposed for collecting information on angler use and catch in the lower Kern River. (A roving survey is one in which the data collector moves up and down the survey area rather than staying in one spot.) Each month will be separated into weekdays and weekend days (which include popular national/religious holidays). These weekdays or weekend days constitute primary sample units (PSU’s) from which randomly selected survey dates will be chosen. In order to reduce sampling effort without sacrificing precision, only part of each PSU was to be sampled. All PSU’s (sample dates) will be stratified into secondary sampling units (SSU’s) of morning (AM) or afternoon (PM) periods. Because day length varies throughout the year, these secondary sampling units will vary from five to seven hours based upon the average day length (Table 4).

In order to reduce additional potential sources of bias, the point of departure (i.e. section) and direction of travel (upstream or downstream) along the route will be randomly selected for each survey date.

Based upon this stratified random sampling approach, an angler survey schedule composed of randomly selected days/fishing periods/departure points/direction of travel will be generated for the proposed angler survey of the lower Kern River. This schedule should include a total of 102 randomly selected survey dates.

The data forms and associated information and question sheets proposed to be used by the census clerk during the angler surveys are presented in Attachments 1-4 and closely follow the standards provided by DFG and used in similar angler surveys on the Kings River. The first sheet is the angler survey form that will be used to record angling information (Attachment 1). Each angler will be assigned a number so that if encountered a second time, angling information/survey responses will not be duplicated (though catch and effort may be updated). The survey section and specific site, time of interview, county of residence, (see attached information sheet), time angler began fishing, angling method (terminal gear – bait, lure, fly), counts of species and sizes (in millimeters) of fish in the creel, and the angler-estimated counts of the species and sizes of fish released, and indication of if angling effort is complete will be recorded. A list of potential fish species, including a short key for quick species identification is included on the attached information sheet (Attachment 2). More extensive fish identification keys will be provided the clerks during the initial training period. The total angling hours, total catch, and catch rate (categories in the gray-stippled columns) will not be calculated by the field clerks, but rather will be computed by the project manager during the data analysis portion of the studies.

At the request of the DFG district biologist and to help augment the general recreation use survey, each angler interviewed will be asked to identify the fish species they are trying to catch and to answer questions about their satisfaction with fishing access and the quality of the fishing at the interview site (Table 5; Attachment 3). Angler response to these questions may be helpful to DFG and the SQF for assessing the need for improved fishing access and other improvements. In addition, the clerk will ask for the first name and telephone number of the survey participant, explaining that this information is potentially needed to verify the data collected.

The census clerks will also complete an angler use count form (Attachment 4) for each scheduled survey date. Three separate angler use counts will be completed at evenly spaced intervals over the survey period for each of the survey dates. The use counts will be made by counting vehicles at each of the angler access points. An estimate of the number of vehicles associated with people that are engaged in fishing activity (as opposed to some other recreational activity, such as sunbathing, swimming, camping, rafting/kayaking, etc.) will be derived from information collected during "vehicle use/observational surveys" conducted as part of the larger general recreational survey. Data collected as part of the vehicle use/observational surveys will be used in conjunction with the information collected during angler interviews. When conducting the angler interviews, each angler will be asked if they are driving a vehicle as part of their current angling activity. If they respond positively, they will be asked how many anglers in their party are actively fishing at the time of the interview. Anglers who might be passengers in the vehicle, but are not fishing at the time of the interview will not be counted. This information will be recorded from the drivers of vehicles only – not passengers. There is a column on the angler interview sheet for this data. Based upon the number of angler-vehicles and an estimate of the number of anglers per vehicle actively fishing, a use estimate can be derived. A more detailed instruction sheet for completing all the survey forms will be provided to the clerks during the initial training period.

Census clerks will review the forms at the end of each survey day to ensure they are complete and legible. At the end of each month, survey forms will be copied, and the originals will be mailed to the data processing manager. Clerks will maintain a file containing the copied forms in case there are questions about data entries during the analysis. Once the analysis is complete, the copies will be sent to the data processing manager as well.

Prior to the first date scheduled for the recreational angling survey, the census clerk(s) will receive instruction and training by the survey crew leader and the consultant’s fishery biologist. DFG biologists with experience in conducting creel censuses will be invited to participate. Training will be conducted in the field along the lower Kern River census area. The census clerk(s) will become familiar with the data forms and how the forms should be completed. In addition, the clerk(s) will become familiar with the sections to be surveyed including the fishing access sites along the river and canal. Clerk(s) will also be given a short course in fish identification that covers the species likely to be encountered during the survey.

Since the clerk(s) will be spending much of his/her time interacting with the public, emphasis during training will also include public relations/etiquette and potential emergency situations. The clerk(s) will be trained to always keep in mind that they are interrupting the angler’s privacy and leisure time to request information, and contact should be established in as courteous as manner as possible. Clerk(s) will be trained to greet anglers, introduce themselves, and briefly explain the purpose of the survey and then ask anglers if they are willing to participate. It will be stressed that participation is entirely voluntary and responses are entirely confidential. If anglers do not want to participate, the clerk will not pressure them, but move on to another angler or site. Clerk(s) will also be reminded that they are not involved in any law enforcement activities and they should avoid unsolicited discussions with anglers about any observed violations of the local fishing regulations.

Training will also involve a discussion of what to do in emergency situations. If possible, clerk(s) will be equipped with a cell phone and will carry a list of emergency contact numbers (local law enforcement, medical, and fire agencies). Clerk(s) will also be encouraged to receive or refresh basic emergency certification in CPR/First Aid procedures.

Based upon the results of the angler catch and effort values derived during the interview process, and the estimated angler use, estimates of overall catch rates and angler effort stratified by day type (weekday versus weekend/holiday), fishing period (morning versus afternoon) and section (river area) can be calculated. Estimates from these strata can be used in combination to yield an overall catch rate and angler use. Information on the origin of anglers (local versus out of county) and angler satisfaction with access and fishery quality will also be available for agency consideration.

The proposed recreational angler survey will be conducted over the course of a year from May 2001 through April 2002. The draft report will be made available about August 2002.

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