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Recreation
California's Dungeness crab sport fishery opens statewide this Saturday, Nov. 1.
Every year at this time, recreational crab fishers eagerly set out in pursuit of these tasty crustaceans. Some set hoop nets and crab traps from boats and piers while others fish crab loop traps on the end of a fishing rod. Still others will dive in to take the crabs by hand.
Regardless of the method, Dungeness crabs are one of California's most popular shellfish.
“Dungeness crab catches tend to be cyclic with several years of high crab numbers followed by a few years of lower catches,” said CDFW Environmental Scientist Christy Juhasz. “Recent seasons have been characterized by high Dungeness crab production so we may begin to see more average catches in the near future.”
The most popular methods for catching the crustaceans are with crab pots (or traps), loop traps and hoop nets.
There is no limit to the number of pots or nets that can be fished recreationally, except when fishing from a public fishing pier where only two fishing appliances may be used.
Recreational crabbers may keep up to 10 Dungeness crabs per day of either sex, or six crabs if fishing from a party boat south of Mendocino County.
No one may possess more than one daily bag limit, and no Dungeness crab may be taken from San Francisco or San Pablo bays, which are important crab nursery areas.
CDFW reminds sport crabbers that traps and nets for Dungeness crab may not be set before 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 1.
Those fishing with hoop nets should remember that regulations require raising the nets to the surface to inspect the contents at least every two hours. Any undersized crabs or other species that are accidentally caught can be more quickly released.
This regulation ensures that fishermen closely monitor their gear and do not allow any equipment to be abandoned in state waters.
Trap fishermen should also closely monitor their traps because lost trap gear can become a self-baiting crab killer.
The recreational size limit for Dungeness crab is five and three-quarter inches measured across the shell, directly in front of and excluding the lateral spines.
Crab taken from party boats south of Mendocino County must measure at least six inches across.
For a measurement diagram, please see the CDFW Web site at https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=36325&inline=true .
Unlike rock crab species that are fished along rocky reefs, Dungeness crab are usually found on sandy or sand-mud bottoms.
Dungeness crabs generally prefer cooler northern and central California waters and are uncommon south of Point Conception.
They are typically found at depths of less than 300 feet, although they have been documented down to 750 feet.
For more information regarding recreational Dungeness crab fishing regulations and other crab species, please visit the CDFW Marine Region Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/invertebrate/crabs.asp .
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HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Hidden Valley Lake Men’s Niners Golf Club held a stroke play tournament on Oct. 23.
The results were:
– First flight: Tom Marshall took first with net 34. Tied for second were Fred Figg, Bruce Brashares, Paul Bertlin and Al Burrows at 35.
– Second flight: Mike Casolo was first with 34. Tied for second were Jim Dvorak, Bill Helt, and Jeff Markham at 35.
– Third flight: Byron Hoss had the lowest net of the day, 31. Doug Carter was second, 32. Tom Swihart, Jim DeRosa and Brian Panizzera tied for 3rd, 33.
Closest to the par three pins were Paul Bertlin and Mike Riley.
Chip-ins were scored by Joe Vallee, Bill Lyon, Randy Brown, Woody Frink and Jim DeRosa.
Fifty-two men participated in this event.
Ron Hallman is publicist for the Hidden Valley Lake Men's Niners Golf Club.
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- Written by: Ron Hallman
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering fall waterfowl hunting opportunities at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (ELER) in Hayward.
The reserve includes former salt ponds now managed by CDFW as low-salinity waterfowl habitat as well as areas that have been restored to full tidal action.
Access to ELER for waterfowl hunting will be open for 100 hunters on a first-come, first-served basis for each hunt only on the dates listed below.
There is no fee for these hunts.
2014 hunts:
– Saturday, Nov. 22: Check-in at 5 a.m.
– Saturday, Dec. 6: Check-in at 5 a.m.
– Thursday, Dec. 11: Check-in at 5 a.m.
– Saturday, Dec. 20: Check-in at 5 a.m.
– Tuesday, Dec. 30: Check-in at 5 a.m.
2015 hunts:
– Saturday, Jan. 3: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
– Thursday, Jan. 8: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
– Thursday, Jan. 15: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
– Saturday, Jan. 24: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
All hunters must possess a valid California hunting license, federal and state duck stamps and complete the Harvest Information Program validation.
Junior license holders must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older (hunter or non-hunter).
Vehicles may be driven on levees in designated areas to launch boats for waterfowl hunting, or to access approved parking areas. Vehicles are only allowed on the hunt dates specified above.
Hunters must check in with CDFW staff and provide their license, stamps and validation as listed above.
Hunters also will be required to check out upon leaving and allow inspection of any harvested game to evaluate hunter success and collect harvest data.
Improvements have been made to ELER which will affect hunters in the 2014-15 seasons. These include construction of a boat launch, newly graveled roads, improved pond access and blind refurbishment.
Hunters are responsible for avoiding closed areas. There is a 25-shell limit in the field. A small boat, canoe or other floatation device is highly recommended to access ponds, blinds and navigable sloughs, and for game retrieval.
A hunting dog also is recommended for retrieval of birds. Hunters will receive additional information, including area rules and regulations and maps, at the time of check-in.
To access ELER from I-880, exit at Alvarado Blvd., continue west on Alvarado Blvd., turn right onto Union City Blvd., left onto Bettencourt Road (sign for Union Sanitary District), left on Whipple Road, right on Horner Street, then right on Veasy Street. Enter at the yellow gate to check in.
Formal plans for public access opportunities at ELER in addition to hunting are being developed as part of the South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project.
Please visit www.southbayrestoration.org for more information.
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Dropping Dungeness crab traps before the opener?
Question: Is it legal to drop Dungeness crab gear prior to opening day?
I’ve heard it’s legal to drop gear the day or night before opening day to let it soak overnight.
I looked in the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet but couldn’t find anything indicating whether this is legal or not.
If it is legal, how long before opening day can it be dropped? And how early can it be retrieved? (Fred S.)
Answer: Dungeness crab gear may not be set prior to the recreational fishing season opening date, which this year is Saturday, Nov. 1 at 12:01 a.m. (See California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 29.85(a) and the definition of take in Fish and Game Code section 86.)
Anyone setting gear prior to this date and time may be cited for attempting to take crab out of season.
Electronic spinning decoys for doves?
Question: I have contacted you before and you have always been very helpful on hunting and fishing questions.
This time I have one regarding dove hunting as a friend of mine wants to purchase a battery-powered spinning decoy for dove hunting for the next dove opener.
Is it legal to use that type of a powered decoy for doves? They don't seem to be the smartest of birds and may be too easily attracted to that decoy. Thanks for your help. (Joe A., Antioch)
Answer: There are NO prohibitions on electronic spinning decoys for dove hunting. The prohibitions for electronic vs wind-driven decoys are only for waterfowl from the beginning of the waterfowl season through Nov. 30.
So, tell your buddy he has the thumbs-up to go out and buy a battery-powered spinning decoy to use for dove hunting. Eurasian collared-doves are now open all year with no limits.
The season for mourning, white-winged, spotted and ringed turtle doves reopens Nov. 8 and runs through Dec. 22.
Kite fishing?
Question: I live in the San Francisco Bay/Delta region and was wondering if there are any Fish and Game restrictions regarding “kite fishing.”
We would like to use these specially modified kites to help us get our lines out farther than the distance we could normally cast them.
Outside of local ordinances regarding powerlines and second rod licensing, is there anything that would prevent me from using a kite to get my line further away from the shore into deeper water? (Neil N.)
Answer: There are no specific regulations prohibiting the use of a kite or other windborne device (a helium-filled balloon, for example) to help you to get your line out to where the fish are.
Littering is a concern, however. Anglers have been cited for using a balloon and then releasing the balloon when a fish is hooked, or when the line reaches the desired distance from shore.
As long as you are not releasing (or losing) your kite in the process, there is nothing in Fish and Game regulations that would prevent you from using a kite in this manner. There may be local (city or county) ordinances that pertain to this, however, so please check with local authorities.”
Shotgun hunting for upland game during archery-only deer season?
Question: I have located a number of good band-tailed pigeon roosts in a remote area where I hunt with my A31 late season archery tag. It's so remote that this year I plan to backpack in and camp in the area.
If a friend wants to come with me who does not bow hunt but wants to take their shotgun to take a band-tailed pigeon, would I be allowed to use their shotgun to take band-tail if I left my A31 tag and bow back at camp for a morning?
I feel confident this would be legal if we were “car camping” but I am not sure how this would be viewed legally as I will still technically be "in the field" on an archery hunt. (Stephen M.)
Answer: This would be fine once the season for band-tailed pigeons reopens unless you in an area of Los Angeles County where firearms might be prohibited.
Collecting sea palm that’s washed up on the beach?
Question: If I find some sea palm washed up on shore, can I keep it?
I know you can't pick sea palm recreationally, but since this was already dead, I see no harm in gathering.
But is it legal? I know you can keep bull kelp when it washes up, so I was wondering if this was similar. (Hank S.)
Answer: The law prohibits cutting or disturbing sea palm (CCR Title 14 section 30.10).
While possession of dead sea palm is technically not prohibited, removing live sea palm from the water would likely result in a citation.
Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson