New Loveland Updates

[Everydog]

The people out there, just by fishing and using the parking lot, are doing their part to help save Loveland.
I have used attendance at the lake as an argument for its public trust value, which should be respected regardless, but still.

Also, I have great memories of regulars welcoming others to fish with them, even on the first meeting day. I am glad I learned that. Of course, if you sense a mismatch, no. James, Chase, Richard, and others helped put my kid on fish when he and I were not making it click. That includes Chase stepping completely back from the "spot on the spot" and getting my son right on it. The first breakthrough day for my son, I didn't see him; he was with James, running a pattern down the shoreline. James and I never met outside that lake, and I don't know his last name or Chase's.

The deal with Loveland is to save it, and you know, many people don't mind going past the bouy line, and we should be allowed to, though I AM NOT GIVING LEGAL ADVICE in that regard or any other.

[camobass]

It’s always amazing with all the shoreline, someone pulls up right next to you and casts. Then the people with the dogs and throwing rocks in the water… I miss the old government cove.

[Everydog]

CDFW has been giving me a boatload of time and consideration. I am often sure they want to send me away, but not yet.
SWRCB says they are, but they haven't given me a responsive contact like CDFW has.

More than a year ago, SWRCB promised to help us by proving that the Forest Service fishing program is compatible with Sweetwater's water licenses.
The landmark Mono Lake case decided that it is. Or so it seems.

Water Rights: Public Trust Resources

California State Water Resources Control Board (.gov)
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov › waterrights › programs
Oct 6, 2017 — The State Water Board is responsible for the protection of resources, such as fisheries, wildlife, aesthetics, and navigation, which are held in trust for the ...

[Everydog]

Just hoping DFW can find authority in the standards it has, like these:
So far, they are telling me Sweetwater's water rights mean we are powerless, and DFW itself is powerless. It would be one screwed up state of Califnornia, worse than it is, if that were true.

The standards I am finding:
Having water rights does not exempt a person or entity from the requirement to obtain a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Lake and Streambed Alteration (LSA) Agreement if the activity may substantially alter a river, stream, or lake, or may substantially adversely affect fish or wildlife resources.

Key Points
Water Rights and LSA Agreements Are Separate Requirements:
Possessing a water right (including pre-1914 or appropriative rights) does not exempt you from the need to notify CDFW and, if required, obtain an LSA Agreement for activities such as water diversion, even if there is no physical alteration of the streambed.

[Everydog]

Delete. Hey, what happens at Loveland stays at Loveland...Unless Sweewtater does it.

[Everydog]

I keep coming up with this: There apparently should not be any Greenlights or Free Passes or get out of jail free cards from regulators for what Sweetwater did to Loveland. Restoration should be normal and compulsory.
The western grebes that were violently evicted from Loveland, like the anglers, and that had their primary food sources killed off, like the sports fish were, have some level of state and federal protection, as does the holistic environment, inclusive of both sides of the dam.

[Yelawolf]

I won't have any control over that. I agree with it anyway,

[Yelawolf]

Thanks for this info, it is helpful

[Everydog]

Thanks for this info, it is helpful

CDFW was ready to have lawyers contact me several weeks ago, based on the conversation I had with my contact. They were ready to blow me off.
I asked him to examine more fish, game code, and Streambed alteration laws. I think he has ghosted me.

We want Swweetwater to follow the rules, and when they don't, make amends like anybody would.
That means fishery work, from the bottom up, with threadfin shad and surveys to ensure good numbers of all the pre-existing fish are in there.
But yeah, I am ghosted. Water rights don't seem to allow Sweetwater to do what they did. CA has fish and game codes. But hey, I am not a lawyer, CDFW has those....

[MistrRocko]

Appreciate your ongoing efforts to force Sweetwater to do the right thing. Remarkable how hard it is to get people to do that. Don't think I've been there since 2022 but it's an awesome lake that everyone deserves to have the opportunity to enjoy for years to come. I'll never forget when Loveland and I were in a committed relationship and I was driving there almost every day to make sure all the fish I was catching still loved me.

[Everydog]

You are welcome.... It's a great place....nobody wants to see it wrecked repeatedly. I had a similar streak of fishing there!

[Castndestroyangling]

Monday 12 2025 fish count:

17 largemouth bass; 4 were around 2lbs the rest were 1ft or smaller.. all released.
3 Bluegill; 1 was 8" and the other 2 were around 6", all released.
6 carp; 7lb & 5 lb and 4 under 2lbs. All kept and given away to neighbors.

Please if you do go, try not to keep any fish except carp, practice catch and release for a couple more years so the bass and panfish population bounces back. Thanks!

[Everydog]

You seem like a nice guy, but you are probably about to hear what some people feel about the Lovleand fishing post.
I am talking about getting it surveyed and stocked, especially with shad and any fish that didn't rebound from the Sweetwater killing them. Not about what's there.

[camobass]

Ummmm….hahaha

Go pro’s at Loveland are on the strike list….

[Castndestroyangling]

You seem like a nice guy, but you are probably about to hear what some people feel about the Lovleand fishing post.
I am talking about getting it surveyed and stocked, especially with shad and any fish that didn't rebound from the Sweetwater killing them. Not about what's there.

Oh, I'm sorry, was excited to actually see fish again at Loveland. So, there are plans to stock the lake again?

Bass and bluegill are in good shape to bounce back. I haven't seen any other panfish or catfish though. Is that the plan?

Again, sorry for the lack of knowledge.

[Castndestroyangling]

Ummmm….hahaha

Go pro’s at Loveland are on the strike list….

I'm Sorry for the lack of knowledge but why is that? I've been out of the loop involving that lake since they drained it..

[Everydog]

You seem like a nice guy, but you are probably about to hear what some people feel about the Lovleand fishing post.
I am talking about getting it surveyed and stocked, especially with shad and any fish that didn't rebound from the Sweetwater killing them. Not about what's there.

Oh, I'm sorry, was excited to actually see fish again at Loveland. So, there are plans to stock the lake again?

Bass and bluegill are in good shape to bounce back. I haven't seen any other panfish or catfish though. Is that the plan?

Again, sorry for the lack of knowledge.

There is no plan, unfortunately, I have had a senior contact at CDFW for several months. This is the second time since they drained it that the DFW gave me someone to talk to. He has been asking Sweetwater to pull a permit, but they won't and he won't compel them to yet and may never, even though somebody should. The DFW guy said their electrofishing boat is too big to launch at Loveland...but we did talk about a survey. We talked about other ways to do a study...but no survey is needed to put in massive numbers of shad, and good breeding stock of the fish we aren't seeing many of. They are very understaffed down here. However, we have a good DFW biologist here to work on the fishery if it can be put on his calendar. He has also asked Sweetwater to stock fish starting right after draining it, but they would rather I talk with this man up north. Again, though, I wouldn't get too hopeful. Things that should be done about Loveland aren't....and then silence.

[camobass]

Ummmm….hahaha

Go pro’s at Loveland are on the strike list….

I'm Sorry for the lack of knowledge but why is that? I've been out of the loop involving that lake since they drained it..

Just messing with you. Most of the locals/long time Loveland users keep the info on the down low. Place is a gem and is getting trashed more and more each year by people who don’t respect that lake.

[Castndestroyangling]

Ummmm….hahaha

Go pro’s at Loveland are on the strike list….

I'm Sorry for the lack of knowledge but why is that? I've been out of the loop involving that lake since they drained it..

Just messing with you. Most of the locals/long time Loveland users keep the info on the down low. Place is a gem and is getting trashed more and more each year by people who don’t respect that lake.

Ooo .. yeah for sure. I'm a big advocate for that lake . Been fishing it since 2005.

[Everydog]

Ummmm….hahaha

Go pro’s at Loveland are on the strike list….

I'm Sorry for the lack of knowledge but why is that? I've been out of the loop involving that lake since they drained it..

Just messing with you. Most of the locals/long time Loveland users keep the info on the down low. Place is a gem and is getting trashed more and more each year by people who don’t respect that lake.

Ooo .. yeah for sure. I'm a big advocate for that lake . Been fishing it since 2005.

How is your big advocacy reflected?