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Recreation
How to identify hatchery trout versus wild trout
Question: How can you tell a hatchery trout from a wild trout in Central Valley rivers? The regulations for the Stanislaus River below Goodwin Dam state you can keep two hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead. Hatchery steelhead have clipped adipose fins. If I catch a trout and it has an adipose fin, do I just assume it’s not a hatchery trout? (Judi A.)
Answer: Yes. Hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead are those showing a healed adipose fin clip (adipose fin is absent). Unless otherwise provided, all other trout and steelhead must be immediately released. Wild trout or steelhead are those not showing a healed adipose fin clip (adipose fin is present) (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 7.50).
Squirrels for crabs
Question: Can legally taken California ground squirrels (a non-game mammal) be used for bait in Dungeness crab traps? (Bret H.)
Answer: Yes, ground squirrels can be used as bait, but remember they are also vectors of a number of flea borne diseases, so use caution when handling them.
Hunting around my house
Question: I live in a rural area. Can I legally hunt within 150 yards of my own residence? Can I hunt within 150 yards of anyone else's if I have their written permission? (Jess K.)
Answer: Yes. These are safety zone restrictions but as long as there are no other local laws or ordinances that prohibit hunting or the discharge of a firearm, then you can hunt within 150 yards of your own residence or any other residence where you have obtained express permission of the owner or person in possession of the premises (FGC section 3004(a).
Fishing during a closed season
Question: In the freshwater regulation handbook under Section 1.38 it states: “CLOSED SEASON. That period during which the taking of fish, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks or crustaceans is prohibited.” This leads to my question regarding whether a person can still fish during a closed season as long they release all the fish they catch?
In other words, I would practice catch and release and use barbless hooks to protect the fish from further harm. The regulation restricts the taking of fish, but no fish will be taken. I am very confused. Can you help clarify? (Robin O.)
Answer: Fishing during a closed season is prohibited, period. Even though you don’t intend to take any fish away with you, the definition of take is to “Hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill fish, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans or invertebrates or attempting to do so” (CCR Title 14, section 1.80). Therefore, despite your best methods, even the attempt to fish is prohibited.
There are few exceptions, but the take of crayfish other than with hook and line is authorized when a stream is otherwise closed to fishing (CCR Title 14, section 5.35(e)).
Typically, crayfish may be taken only by hand, hook and line, dip net or with traps not over three feet in greatest dimension (CCR Title 14, section 5.35).
Most crayfish have no limit and the season is open all year. However, Shasta crayfish are protected and so there are specific river and lake closures listed for their protection in the 2014-2015 California Freshwater Fishing Regulations booklet (see page 21), as well as online at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/ . Look for subsection (d) of this section for the closed waters to avoid.
Taking crabs by SCUBA
Question: I am heading to the beach this weekend, I bought a fishing license and I am planning to do some SCUBA diving. Can I take a big bag with me and collect up to 35 rock crabs from the ocean using SCUBA? (Jimmy P.)
Answer: Yes. Take of all crabs of the Cancer genus, except Dungeness crabs, but including yellow crabs, rock crabs, red crabs and slender crabs is allowed all year. While using SCUBA, crabs may be taken by hand only with no hooked devices in possession (CCR Title 114, section 29.80(g)).
The limit is 35 and the minimum size is four inches measured by the shortest distance through the body, from edge of shell to edge of shell at the widest part, except there is no minimum size in Fish and Game districts 8 and 9 (around Humboldt Bay).
They may be brought to the surface of the water for measuring, but no undersize crabs may be placed in any type of receiver, kept on the person or retained in any person’s possession or under his direct control; all crabs must be measured immediately and any undersize crabs must be released immediately into the water (CCR Title 14, section 29.85 (b)(c)).
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
The California Fish and Game Commission and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced the recreational salmon season will open in ocean waters on Saturday, April 5, from Horse Mountain (40° 05’ 00” N. latitude) south to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Federal fishery biologists estimate roughly 934,000 fall-run Chinook salmon will be in California coastal waters through the summer.
Though lower than last year’s estimate, there are still plenty of fish to allow for significant angling opportunities for salmon enthusiasts in all areas off California.
The daily bag limit will remain at two Chinook salmon but the Commission recently took action to change the salmon possession limit.
Two daily bag limits are now allowed in possession when on land; however, when on a vessel in ocean waters, no person shall possess or bring ashore more than one daily bag limit.
The minimum size limit is 20 inches total length between Horse Mountain and Point Arena (38° 57’ 30” N. latitude).
For areas south of Point Arena, the minimum size limit is 24 inches total length. For anglers fishing north of Point Conception (34° 27’ 00” N. latitude), no more than two single-point, single-shank barbless hooks shall be used and no more than one rod per angler when fishing for salmon or fishing from a boat with salmon on board.
In addition, barbless circle hooks are required when fishing with bait by any means other than trolling. The retention of coho salmon is prohibited in all ocean fisheries.
For complete ocean salmon regulations in effect during April, please visit CDFW’s ocean salmon Web page at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/oceansalmon.asp or call the Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at 707-576-3429.
Final 2014 ocean salmon regulations will be decided next month by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) during their April 4-10 meeting in Vancouver, Wash. and by the commission at their April 16-17 meeting in Ventura. Final sport regulations will be published in the CDFW 2014 Supplemental Fishing Regulations booklet available in May at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations .
Three alternatives are being considered for California’s recreational ocean salmon seasons that will begin on or after May 1.
The public is encouraged to comment on any of the proposed alternatives, which can be found at the PFMC Web site at www.pcouncil.org .
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- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Milers Walking and Running Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit running club that is dedicated to promoting physical fitness in Lake County through running and walking, will hold its 12th annual Spring Has Sprung 5K and kids run taking place at Coyote Valley Elementary School, on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11.
The event will begin at 8 a.m.
The Spring Has Sprung event will support both Middletown and Upper Lake High School Cross Country Teams, which in turn help by volunteering on the event course on race day.
The Hidden Valley Lake Committee also lends their support on race day with 12 volunteers.
The popular Spring Has Sprung annual event features a flat 5K (3.1 mile) run and walk through the beautiful Hidden Valley Lake golfing neighborhood.
Participants can choose to “race” the timed event as a runner or fast walker or take their time strolling the course. Medals are awarded to the top 3 in each age and gender division.
The Milers also stage a very popular kid’s 1/2K to 1K run for kids between ages 4 through 10 with medals awarded 3-deep in each age division and a free frozen yogurt donated by the Big Chill Yogurt Shop.
Start and finish will be at Coyote Valley Elementary School; 18950 Coyote Valley Road (take the Hartman Road exit off Highway 29 and turn at the first left).
The kids races are set for 8 a.m., followed by the 5K with age divisions spanning 10 and under through 70+ at 8:30 a.m.
Event-day registration is from 7:15 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., but for the best price and an event shirt guarantee, participants are encouraged to register online by May 4 at www.lakecountymilers.com or print mail-in registration form and mail in.
To have a brochure mailed to you call 707-987-3229 or email
Fees range from $30 for adults, $20 for youths ages 19 and under for the 5K and includes an event shirt, goodie bag, Mother-worthy post-race refreshments, and entry into a free raffle.
The entry fee for the kids races (ages 4 through 10) is $15 and includes an event t-shirt and a frozen yogurt from the Big Chill Yogurt shop, just yards away from the event start.
The Milers are offering a $10 discount for families with four or more entries into the 5K (must include two adult entries).
The Milers running and walking group meets every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. in two locations: Mountain High Coffee and Books in the parking lot of Hardester’s Hidden Valley Lake shopping center (Hartmann Road exit off Highway 29) and in Kelseyville in front of Kelseyville Lumber at 3555 N Main St, Kelseyville.
The public is warmly invited to come out and join the Milers for weekly exercise.
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- Written by: Editor
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Redbud Audubon Society will guide a field trip on Saturday, March 22, at the Clear Lake State Park near Kelseyville.
Please meet at the visitor center parking lot at 9 a.m.
This is always a nice walk with a variety of songbirds and waterfowl being viewed, noted field trip chairman, Pat Harmon.
Payment of the park entrance/parking fee is required.
For more information, contact Pat Harmon at 707-263-4977.
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- Written by: Editor