Clear Lake is known worldwide for its outstanding bass fishing. A good example was the recent bass tournament hosted by WON BASS. That tournament drew fishermen from all the western states. Recently another fish has been leading the news. It's the Clear Lake hitch.
Hitch spawn by migrating up the tributaries that flow into the lake. At one time thousands of hitch would annually migrate up these streams. In fact, old photos show hitch from shore to shore in Kelsey Creek during their peak spawning runs. Old-time residents said they would throw large rocks at the hitch and hundreds were killed.
Hitch spawn runs from March through June. During spawning activity, four or five males often attend each female. Male hitch exhibit a rusty color on their paired fins during spawning. Their eggs are large and non-adhesive, meaning they don't stick to the bottom and will drift. Instead they lodge between rocks and gravel. The eggs hatch in about five days. Within a week the young fry migrate back to the lake. The young stay in the shallows for several weeks and then migrate to the deeper water. Hitch can live as long as five years.
Adobe and Kelsey creeks are the primary creeks where hitch spawn. Middle Creek is also a hitch spawning area as are Manning Creek and Scotts Creek. They are not strong swimmers, which means if the streams hold fast water, large rocks or dams to navigate, the fish might not be able to spawn. Manmade barriers have impeded the hitch in of the streams
The Clear Lake hitch faces a number of challenges in current times, including predation by birds, largemouth bass and catfish. Originally hitch had very few enemies in the lake but that changed with the introduction of bass and catfish more than 100 years ago. However, the biggest obstacle facing the hitch is the loss of their traditional spawning areas.
The Clear Lake hitch is also important to local Indian tribes. Originally they were an important food source for Indians living on the shores of Clear Lake. Many members of local tribes still consider the hitch a traditional food source. In fact, the scientific name for the Clear Lake hitch is Lavinia Exilicauda Chi. Chi is a Pomo name for the fish. Hitch also serve as an important food source for the many shore birds that visit Clear Lake. Birds such as pelicans, osprey, eagles and grebes eat hitch. Mammals such as the otter also utilize hitch as a food source.
Scientists from the federal government are doing a study on the hitch and other species of fish in Clear Lake. Their findings should give an excellent view on the overall condition of the lake's fish species.
Of course, it's not only the native hitch that should be protected but all the fish in the lake. Every species of fish is a vital part of the lake's ecosystem. Sadly there are individuals who want all the bass and other gamefish removed to protect the hitch. There are also fishermen who want the hitch removed so they can protect their bass fishing. The truth of the matter is that there is no way all the bass, crappie and catfish can be removed. The same applies to the hitch and other native fish. What is needed is cooperation between all these groups to make Clear Lake a good environment for all species of fish and birds.
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