Delayed Trout Season Opens In Eastern Sierra's Inyo County

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Trout season was allowed to open Thursday in the Eastern Sierra's Inyo County after a delay due to concerns that an influx of anglers would spread COVID-19 in the region, which has some of California's most prized stream and lake fishing.

With restrictions on non-essential travel still in place, the county's intent is to make fishing available to local residents.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife had postponed the scheduled April 25 opener in Inyo, Mono and Alpine counties through May 31 due to concern that COVID-19 could overwhelm health care systems and because visitor amenities were closed.

The department said it ended the postponement early after Inyo County received approval to move faster through Stage 2 of the state's reopening plan. It followed similar decisions for Mono and Alpine.

The county announced Monday that campgrounds and RV parks may now rent to customers for less than 30 days, but short-term rentals ranging from Airbnbs to hotels and motels may still only rent to essential workers and locals.

Health officer Dr. James Richardson said campgrounds and RV parks "are distinct from hotels because they do not rent a physical room or structure to a customer."

The county said that with campgrounds and RV parks closed it had seen a significant increase in so-called dispersed camping, creating concerns over human waste and fires.