For the last decade, Californians have been forced to cope with fewer trout being stocked each year and a rising cost in license fees. The combination has been disturbing for anglers fishing lakes, reservoirs, streams and rivers for rainbow trout.

In what seems like a miracle to the state's trout seekers, help is finally on the way. Unfortunately, it won't arrive this year. With the passing of Assembly Bill 7 last year, the California Department of Fish and Game will be forced to allocate funds collected from fishing licenses to trout- stocking programs. For a change, anglers won't have to cope with fewer trout being stocked. In fact, it's likely that because of the legislation, trout stocking will increase in the future.

Fish and Game says that while a few more trout may be stocked in 2006, trout anglers will see a drastic increase in 2007. The DFG said that it takes a year of planning, time to buy more feed and to raise the trout, before they are stocked. Don't worry folks; this isn't a ploy. Agency officials are working hard to increase trout stockings. Hatchery folks are ecstatic about being able to produce and stock more trout.

Nonetheless, anglers can rest assured that great trout fishing will be available this year. The California Department of Fish and Game and more than a half-dozen private hatcheries will be stocking hundreds of waters throughout the state. Here's a handful of the best.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Southern California doesn't offer the best trout fishing during summer months. However, there are a few spots where anglers can tap into excellent action even during the late spring and early summer when trout plants expire in most waters.

Topping that list is Lake Cuyamaca, San Diego County's best trout water, which is benefiting from a great water year in 2005. Abnormally high water levels helped flush more food into the lake, thus enabling trout to grow faster. Boat and shore anglers can fish Cuyamaca.

Last year, according to head ranger Willard Lepley, the hot ticket was injecting Liquid Krill into night crawlers and casting bright Rooster Tails smeared in Gel Krill from the Lone Pine area. Trout fishing can be sluggish in August as surface temperatures warm. Plan your trip accordingly.

Moving north, don't overlook Big Bear Lake, which also benefited from last year's high precipitation levels -- the highest in a decade. The increased volume has allowed the lake's put-and-grow program to flourish as trout have been able to creep back into the tules and feed more actively. If last year's trick holds up, anglers will be dragging Luhr-Jensen Mini Speed traps from The Observatory to the dam and tapping into limits of pan-sized trout.