California has an estimated 3,469 cold water lakes, 112 cold water reservoirs, and over 200 reservoirs with warmwater species

According to the 2011 national survey of fishing, hunting, and wildlife-associated recreation (usdoi 2013) an estimated 1.7 million freshwater anglers accumulated over 23.8 million angling days on ponds, lakes, and reservoirs in california and anglers contributed over $2.3 billion to the states economy from fishing related expenses.although seemingly high, the number of anglers in california has been declining for the past decade. Contributing factors for the declining participation in angling has not been well investigated. In 1988, fletcher and king (1988) reported that, in general, california anglers stopped fishing due to a lack of free time. However, the 18-24-year-old age subgroup cited a loss of interest as the primary reason for no longer fishing. Loss of interest may relate to poor angler satisfaction, which was most negatively impacted by not catching enough fish. In a later study of 14 california reservoirs stocked with salmonids, 78% of anglers contacted were satisfied with their overall angling experience, but approximately half of anglers contacted were not satisfied with either the size or number of fish caught (LEE 2003). Satisfaction metrics did not show a strong trend over time in either direction. However, the stagnant and mediocre levels of satisfaction in fish size and catch rate may have contributed to the recent decline in angling participation.lake and reservoir fisheries comprise a large portion of the recreational fishing effort in california. Between the years of 2010 and 2019, the sale of fishing licenses in california has generated between $36,239,087 - $46,283,404 in revenue. During this period, the cost of a sport-fishing license has risen annually except for 2015 - 2017 when IT remained the same. One common complaint that we continue to encounter from our stakeholders is the limited number and type of game fish available to anglers. This perceived issue causes a major problem in providing satisfactory fishing opportunities for anglers by recreational fishing managers. Not catching enough fish is often the greatest detractor from the enjoyment of fishing. Fishery methods and techniques for improving angler catches are numerous and LEE (1993) described various lake and reservoir management strategies commonly used in california. To determine the success of these strategies and to help develop new strategies, information on lake and reservoir physical and chemical parameters, fish populations, angler success and catch, and angler attitudes and preferences are needed.even though lake and reservoir fisheries comprise a large portion of the recreational fishing effort in california, there is a lack of data on fish population dynamics of game fishes in many of the states waters. Information on sport fish species abundance, age, size structure, angler success and harvest, and the size of natural-spawning populations is necessary to effectively manage angling opportunities. In some waters the introduction of aquatic invasive species (AIS) creates threats to desirable fishery resources. Information on the status of AIS species and effective control methods are needed to determine appropriate management response to AIS introductions and to reduce the impact to californias sport fisheries. The goal of the lake and reservoir fishery management and research program is to further our understanding of sport fish population dynamics by maintaining and improving recreational fishing opportunities in california lakes and reservoirs, thus increasing angler success and satisfaction.