The California Department of Fish and Game’s Heritage Trout Program offers a challenge to California anglers to catch the state’s native trout.

The challenge requires anglers to catch six of the 11 types of trout native to California. The program highlights the diversity of native trout and provides an incentive for anglers to learn about native trout and their habitats.

This special program offers a unique angling opportunity.

While many California anglers fish for planted trout, pursuing wild native trout offers an intriguing alternative. Native trout can be found from San Diego County to the Oregon border and offer anglers an extraordinary look at California’s heritage.

The definitions of “native” and “wild” fish are important to understand.

A native trout is of a species that was found here originally, prior to human influences. A wild trout is one that was hatched in the wild and spends its life cycle in the wild, regardless of the origin of its parents or ancestors.

So a brown trout that hatches naturally in a California stream is a wild trout, but it is not considered native to California since the species was introduced here by humans.

On the other hand, a coastal rainbow trout is always a native California trout, even if it comes from a hatchery.

A golden trout that hatches in the Little Kern River would be both a wild and a native trout.

“We worked to develop a program that would highlight the diversity of native trout found in California and provide an incentive for anglers to learn about native trout and their habitats,” said Roger Bloom, DFG’s Program Manager for the Heritage & Wild Trout Program.

Anglers who complete the California Heritage Trout Challenge receive a custom certificate listing the name of the angler, color illustrations of the six different trout caught, and a notation on the date and location of each catch.

Gavin O’Leary of Fresno was recently recognized as the 100th angler to complete the California Heritage Trout Challenge. The first 100 anglers completing the challenge came from 11 different states.

“The certificate I was awarded for achieving the California Heritage Trout Challenge is one my most treasured documents,” said Steve Berg of Carmichael.

“The Heritage Trout Challenge was a great way to introduce my son to fishing the backcountry,” said Chris Bell of Sebastopol. “He is hooked — and so am I — on pursuing native trout throughout California and beyond.”

There are no time restrictions to complete the challenge.

Native trout caught from appropriate waters and verified with a photo can qualify, even if caught years ago.

The releasing of fish is encouraged and may be required depending on the regulations for different waters.

Trout that qualify for this program include several subspecies of rainbow, redband, golden and cutthroat trout.

Anglers interested in participating in the challenge can contact a DFG regional office or the Heritage & Wild Trout Program headquarters in Rancho Cordova.

For a downloadable application and information on the different waters where these fish are available, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Fishing.

Guy Carl is a CPA and partner with BDCo Accountants and Advisors in St. Helena (www.bdcocpa.com). Contact Guy at GC.outdoors@sbcglobal.net.