I think Urban's response to the issue on another forum is an aspect that should be considered:

"I havent read through this issue too much but my knee-jerk reaction is this. Its going to be very difficult to prove that the so-called Clear Lake hitch is actually still present and genetically different enough from hitch to warrant 1) sub-species status and 2) protection under state or federal ESA's. I looked into this years ago and my conclusion was, based on available information, the Clear Lake hitch no longer exists genetically. Any remnant genetics still within Clear Lake are likely so diluted through introgression with the so-called regular hitch that the sub-species no longer exists. I honestly dont even think anybody even has genetic references for Clear Lake hitch (that is, fish collected many years ago that genetically were Clear Lake hitch; these samples would be the only means to determine, through comparison, if the genetics from hitch currently in the lake could be identified as the Clear Lake sub-species). So good luck to those pushing this listing, proving the sub-species still exists through genetics is going to be extremely difficult.

And in the end it doesnt really matter, its not going to effect any of us as bass fishermen anyway."