Conservancy Donates to Crack Down on Kings River Poachers

The Kings River Conservancy announced on Monday a $12,540 donation to state Fish and Wildlife for additional warden patrols along the lower Kings River.

The funding aims to directly benefit sport fishing by stopping poachers along the river.

Sections of the lower Kings below Pine Flat Dam are revered by anglers seeking trophy trout.

This donation combines proceeds from a conservancy raffle for a fishing trip to the Owens River and $8,000 from the Central Valley Community Foundation. Funds raised by the conservancy for the warden patrols are matched by the Edward K. Martin Family Foundation administered by CVCF.

“This program continues to provide much-needed additional warden hours on the lower Kings River,” said Kings River Conservancy board member Hank Urbach.

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Lori Werner, a resource analyst for the Kings River Conservation District, gathers rainbow trout fry from the Kings River Fisheries Management program incubator raceway as Lilianne and Miles Meadows watch in March 2020. (SJV Water/Lois Henry)

More Than $120,000 in Donations for Patrols

Over the past 10 years in excess of $120,000 has been raised by the conservancy to enforcing fishing regulations along the river. The extra warden patrols help ensure that anglers follow the rules.

“We are so thankful to everyone who has donated to the program over the years,” said Urbach.  “It helps support our mission to protect the Kings.”

The Kings River Conservancy is a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging public safety and sound public conservation practices along the Kings River corridor from Pine Flat Dam to Highway 99.

Its members participate in functions such as invasive species removal, a trout incubator house to release trout into the river, adding warden patrols, and maintaining safe public trails and access points along the river.

Additional information is available at 559 787 9500 or www.kingsriverconservancy.org.