California State Fish and Piscifaunal Emblem

California golden trout Salmo aqua bonita Adopted: April 11, 1947

California State Fish and Piscifaunal Emblem
Credit: California State Archives

Adoption of the California State Fish and Piscifaunal Emblem

What is the offiical piscifaunal emblem of the State of California?

It's the state fish!

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 52, designating the official state fish and pisifaunal emblem, was introduced on March 20, 1947 by Assembly member Thomas M. Erwin.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 52

CHAPTER 90

[Filed with Secretary of State April 14, 1947]

WHEREAS, California is justly famous throughout the world for her multiple and varied industries and as a wonderland of natural resources both rich and beautiful; and

WHEREAS, Many flora and fauna of California are distinctive that they are generally recognized as native to this State and associated with the name of California; and

WHEREAS, From time to time the people of this State have expressed their pride in these distinctive creatures by designating them official symbols of the State of California, as for instance, in 1903 the golden poppy was designated the official state flower, in 1931 the valley quail the official state bird, and in 1937 the redwood the official state tree; and

WHEREAS, The golden trout of California is widely known as a distinctive and unusual native of this State; now therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the California golden trout (Salmo aqua bonita) is hereby designated the official state fish and piscifaunal emblem of this State.

The California golden trout is a State Species of Special Concern (Source: Fish Species of Special Concern in California, CA DFG, Second Edition, June 1995.) and a Forest Service classified Sensitive Species. The golden is the most likely California-native species to be federally listed as endangered, due to habitat degradation, primarily by livestock, and planting of non-native trout species. The Little Kern golden trout (Oncorhynchus aguabonita whitei) was listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as threatened in 1978. Efforts are under way to get the USFWS to protect the California golden trout.

The California golden trout is in danger of extinction caused by hybridization and by the destruction and adverse modification of its habitat. In addition, the regulatory mechanisms of the federal and state agencies responsible for managing California golden trout habitat and preventing further loss of its genetic integrity are not been sufficient to prevent extinction. In October 2000, Trout Unlimited filed a petition to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to list the golden trout as an endangered species.

--Trout Unlimited

Today, the California golden trout is classified as Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita.

Now, can you name the official avifaunal emblem of California?

California Law

The California golden trout was adopted by Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 52 and is not listed in the California Government Code alongside other symbols and emblems.

Sources...

Archives. California State Assembly: Office of the Chief Clerk. 2008. 17 March 2008
California State Assembly and Senate Final History. - 1947 Session, p. 802.
Statutes of California. - 1947, Regular Session, Began on Monday, January 6, 1947, and Adjourned on Friday, June 20, 1947. p. 3512, Chapter 90.
California Golden Trout Information Center. Trout Unlimited. 2008. 17 March 2008
Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.

Additional Information

California Golden Trout Information Center: Descriptions of the California golden trout, conservation projects, and information regarding Trout Unlimited's efforts to get the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the California golden trout.

California Golden Trout: Western Native Trout Initiative.

Threats to Fish: California's wild and native trout species face a host of threats including loss of water and habitat, pollution, sedimentation, invasive species, and spawning impediments.

California Golden Trout (Native): Information from the California Department of Fish and Game.

Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita: University of Michigan Muesum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web.

Oncorhynchus aguabonita (Jordan, 1892): Fishbase database entry for golden trout.

Oncorhynchus aguabonita (Jordan, 1892): Integrated Taxonomic Information System -- a cooperative project among several federal agencies to improve and expand upon taxonomic data.

State Fish: Complete list of official state fish.

More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official California state symbols.

Trout Unlimited: California: Trout Unlimited's mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America's trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.

Hiking California's Golden Trout Wilderness: A Guide to Backpacking and Day Hiking in the Golden Trout and South Sierra Wildernesses, by Suzanne Swedo, 256 pages, Falcon; First edition (March 1, 2004) Hiking California's Golden Trout Wilderness will help outdoor enthusiasts choose and plan a day hike or backpacking trip in the Golden Trout Wilderness or South Sierra Wilderness best suited to their time, energy, experience, and personal preferences.

California: Blue Ribbon Trout Streams (Blue-Ribbon Fly Fishing Guides), by Bill Sunderland, 96 pages, Frank Amato Publications (March 1998)

Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada, by Bill Sunderland, 120 pages, Aguabonita Books (August 1, 1999) From Lake Almanor's exciting hex hatch in the north to the lovely golden trout of Monache Meadows in the south, "Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada" describes when, where and how to fish California's premier mountain range. Detailed maps and directions chart the way to hundreds of rivers, creeks and lakes that offer some of the best fishing in the state.

Fly Fishing California Stillwaters, by Bill Sunderland, 130 pages, Mosca Loca Books (July 15, 2001)

Northern California River Maps & Fishing Guide, Esther Poleo: Contributer, Ray Rychnovsky: Editor, 48 pages, Frank Amato Publications (December 20, 2006). Detailed maps covering over 1000 miles of river! Included for each river are the best seasons, species, available illustrated fishing methods (both fly and gear), best flies and best gear for individual rivers and species, fly hatches, knots, launches, parks, number of hookups per year, size of runs, parks, services, guides.

Sierra Trout Guide, by Ralph Cutter, 128 pages, Frank Amato Publications; Revised edition (December 1991) More than just a guide to finding trout in the diverse waters of California's Sierra Nevadas, this is a colorful and informative overview of the fish, their habitat, and techniques for bringing them to net. It begins with a detailed description of the native and non-native trout species of the Sierras, including beautiful full-color plates.

Yosemite Trout Fishing Guide, by Charles S. Beck, 158 pages, Frank Amato Publications (January 1, 2001)

Fly Fishing the Tahoe Region, by Stephen Rider Haggard, 206 pages, Aguabonita Books (December 1, 2002) "Fly Fishing the Tahoe Region" presents detailed angling information for 77 streams and 97 lakes in the Truckee, Yuba, American, and Carson River drainages, as well as the Desolation Wilderness. Included are hatches, maps, road directions, nearby lodging and services, and angling regulations.

Cutthroat: Native Trout of the West
by Patrick Trotter

Cutthroat: Native Trout of the West, by Patrick Trotter, 560 pages, University of California Press; 1 edition (June 10, 2008) Cutthroat tells the full story of the genuine native trout of the American West. This new edition, thoroughly revised and updated after 20 years, synthesizes what is currently known about one of our most interesting and colorful fishes, includes much new information on its biology and ecology, asks how it has fared in the last century, and looks toward its future.

Fly Tying For Beginners: How to Tie 50 Failsafe Flies, by Peter Gathercole, 256 pages, Barron's Educational Series; Spi edition (October 7, 2005) This profusely illustrated instruction book shows beginners how to craft 50 professional-looking flies for trout and salmon fishing. Each fly-tying project consists of step-by-step instructions accompanied by close-up photos of the work in progress and a large photo of the finished fly. Beginners will learn how to make dry flies, wet flies, bugs, nymphs, hairwings, and streamers.

The Fly-Tying Bible: 100 Deadly Trout and Salmon Flies in Step-by-Step Photographs, by Peter Gathercole, 256 pages, Barron's Educational Series; Spi edition (April 2003) Fly-tying is a highly prized fisherman's craft, but it's also an art form, wonderfully captured in this volume's hundreds of color photos. Each of 100 fly patterns is presented in a two-page spread: an enlarged photo and textual description on the left-hand page, complemented with a set of step-by-step, clearly captioned photos on the facing page. In addition, fishing enthusiasts will find sections on fly-tying tools and materials plus general instructions for getting started.

The Benchside Introduction to Fly Tying, by Ted Leeson and Jim Schollmeyer, 189 pages, Frank Amato Publications; Spi edition (March 30, 2006)

The Fly Tier's Benchside Reference, by Ted Leeson and Jim Schollmeyer, 444 pages, Frank Amato Publications (November 13, 1998)

Nymph Fly-Tying Techniques, by Jim Schollmeyer, 126 pages, Frank Amato Publications (October 2001) Noted photographer and author, Jim Schollmeyer, now puts his talents to tying nymphs. More than just a book of nymph patterns, this book takes a different approach.

Complete line of fishing equipment including rods, reels, rod and reel combinations, fly fishing gear, bait and spin casting rods and reels, ice fishing equipment, lures and flies, and other accessories. All major brands.

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