Wednesday February 4, 2026
Center for Biological Diversity —
The Center for Biological Diversity notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today that it intends to sue the agency for failing to finalize Endangered Species Act protection for the Clear Lake hitch — a rare fish found only in Lake County, California.
“It’s appalling that the Trump administration is sitting on its hands, leaving these iconic fish stranded in bureaucratic limbo,” said Meg Townsend, a freshwater attorney at the Center. “Clear Lake hitch are vital to the health of their namesake lake and to the cultural legacy of the Pomo people. Only Endangered Species Act protections will keep these irreplaceable fish swimming safely into the future.”