Trophies planted at Shaver, more coming

Shaver Lake has received its first allotment of trophy trout, and three more plants are scheduled over the next three weeks.

The Department of Fish and Game on Monday planted 350 rainbow trout weighing 4 to 7 pounds. To give them a fighting chance in their new surroundings, the trophies were released in a remote area of the lake accessible only by boat.

To satisfy shore anglers, 1-pound rainbow trout were planted in popular areas such as Bikini Cove and near the Sierra Marina. In addition, thousands of fingerling brown trout and rainbows were introduced. A large plant of kokanee fingerlings is scheduled for early summer.

By Memorial Day weekend, some 60,000 trout, including 4,500 trophies, will have been stocked in the popular Sierra Nevada lake 45 miles east of Fresno. It was drained over the winter by lake operator Southern California Edison for a dam maintenance project.

Events

Run for Relief

When: Saturday

Where: Start/finish at Fresno Pacific track

Start shaping up for summer by running in the 29th annual event that benefits Mennonite relief efforts. The 10-kilometer main event starts at 7 a.m. and is worth 10 points in the Valley Runner of the Year Series.

Race-day registration is $25. Details: westcoastmccsale.org/.

News & notes

• California will get $8.3 million in federal funds to purchase new national forest lands from the Water Conservation Act.

Projects include $1.5 million to add land to Lassen National Forest along Deer and Mill creeks, important salmon streams; $1.5 million to protect Eldorado Meadows, a sensitive habitat site in Eldorado National Forest; $2 million to protect land at the headwaters of the American and Yuba rivers for the Tahoe and Eldorado national forests; and $1 million to protect wildlife corridors along the Pacific Crest Trail (to be shared with Oregon and Washington).

<;i>All national parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon, will waive entrance fees April 21-29 in celebration of National Park Week and Earth Day. Scheduled activities include bicycle rides, photography walks, volunteer trash pickups and evening stargazing.
• "Backcountry Backpacking in the Sierra" is being offered through College of the Sequoias' community education program. Classes began Tuesday night and include a May 4-6 trip along the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. Fees are $100. Register at (559) 737-4884.
• Science educator Katie Wallace will recount her 150-mile adventure along the entire length of the Merced River at 2 p.m. Sunday at REI. Register at rei.com/fresno/.
• The Kings River Conservancy has scheduled five guided paddling trips as part of its 2012 Float Schedule. Trips begin May 26 and are suitable for all levels, but space is limited. Details: kingsriverconservancy.org or (559) 787-9500.