Native S. California Fish???

[Corpus7]

Hi all,
I'm trying to find a list of all the native freshwater fish to Southern California. I've got a 100 gallon tank that I'd like to turn into a native aquarium, but I'm having trouble finding a list of fish that ARE actually native to southern california. Most california lists I've found are either incorrect (listing green sunfish) or the list focuses only on fish in northern california...
any ideas???
i appreciate the help!
-chris-

 

[soccerkidbs]

that is going to be hard hmmm...

 

[is300zx]

i'm not totally sure but i think it could be illegal to keep native fish in california.

 

[ct-death]

Check your laws before you do anything, but as for find a list it's actually very easy...

Every Fish and Game Depart has a Fisheries section that has a list of every species in their state (native, exotic, introduced and stocked).

FYI - Any fish managed for fishing is illegal to keep. and ANY released fish already kept (i.e. fish held in an aquarium, native or not) is illegal...

Just be careful and read up on the laws and the fish you do want before doing anythign

 

[Squawkbert]

^ I was thinking that too. You could go look for desert pup-fish, but you might get shot for trying to collect them...

 

[Corpus7]

thanks for the tips everyone! now, any clue where i go to find out what the laws are regarding native fish in california?

guess i'm full of questions!

 

[necigrad]

Knowing California, kepping the fish would be legal, but the water will be protected!

You might want to consider going to a local aquarium, musuem, or park. I'd be willing to bet if you went to a park in the mountains (maybe Big Bear) some ranger will know all that stuff.

For laws, search in the California Code:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=fgc&codebody=&hits=20

 

[ct-death]

thanks for the tips everyone! now, any clue where i go to find out what the laws are regarding native fish in california?

guess i'm full of questions!

Contact your State's F&G Dept.

Sorry I don't have the phone #

 

[Jayhawk]

Yeah, the Fish and Game department is who you need to talk to. When I was looking at collecting some native fish in Missouri, our local F&G folks not only told me specific creeks and rivers (and where in those bodies of water to look), but they also covered all legal aspects and sent a pictorial guide of the fish I was looking for. They'd kept native fish for displays, and also had advice on which were good ones to keep.

Eric