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Recreation
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California sturgeon anglers will see a small change to sturgeon tags issued beginning Jan. 1, 2014.
Sturgeon anglers have been required to tag all retained legal sized sturgeon for many years.
In the past, the date, location and length of the fish caught were recorded on each tag.
Now, in addition to legibly and permanently writing the date, time, location and length, the new tags require the angler to physically punch out the date and month printed on each tag.
The bag limit for sturgeon remains at one per day and up to three sturgeon per year. Failure to attach a properly filled out tag to a retained sturgeon is a misdemeanor violation.
The California Fish and Game Commission passed the regulation change on Oct. 2, 2013.
Changes were approved by the Office of Administrative Law then filed with the Secretary of State on Dec. 23, 2013.
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Dreissenid mussels (quagga or zebra) have been discovered in Lake Piru in Ventura County.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is working with United Water Conservation District and Lake Piru Recreation Area staff to contain the infestation.
All boaters are being required to clean, drain and dry their watercraft upon exit from the lake.
This discovery marks the first time quagga or zebra mussels have been found in a Southern California waterbody that does not receive water from the Colorado River.
On Dec. 18, Lake Piru Recreation Area staff reported the discovery of potential quagga mussels to CDFW.
The mussels were found attached to a Lake Piru patrol boat and several additional mussels were subsequently found on devices deployed in the lake for the purpose of detecting mussels and on the shoreline.
CDFW staff tentatively identified the mussels, which range in size from one-half to three-quarter inches long, as quagga.
Genetic testing is under way to confirm this identification. Lake Piru Recreation Area staff are working to determine the full extent of the infestation.
Lake Piru, which is managed by United Water Conservation District, is located downstream of Pyramid Lake. Lake Piru drains into Lower Piru Creek, a tributary of the Santa Clara River.
Quagga and zebra mussels, non-native freshwater mussels native to Eurasia, multiply quickly and encrust watercraft and infrastructure, and compete for food with native and sport fish species.
These mussels can be spread from one body of water to another attached to nearly anything that has been in an infested waterbody, or via standing water from an infested waterbody entrapped in boat engines, bilges, live-wells and buckets.
People who launch vessels at any body of water are subject to watercraft inspections and are encouraged to clean, drain and dry their motorized and non-motorized boats, including personal watercraft, and any equipment that comes into contact with the water before and after recreating at a waterway.
For more information on boat inspection programs and preventing the spread of quagga and zebra mussels visit CDFW’s Web site ( www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel ).
Quagga mussels were first detected in the Colorado River system in January 2007 and were later found in San Diego and Riverside counties. They are now known to be in 26 waters in California. Zebra mussels were discovered in San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County in January 2008.
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Shooting birds on the water or on the ground?
Question: Is it lawful to shoot a bird that is on the water, or if I’m field hunting, to shoot a bird that is standing on the ground?
I do not consider it sporting, but I was with a group of hunters that took part in the above actions.
Just curious what the official word is on this. (Nick V.)
Answer: It’s not illegal, but it’s certainly not sporting as it violates the Fair Chase Principle. “Fair chase” is the ethical, sportsman-like, lawful pursuit and taking of any free-ranging animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an unfair advantage over such animals.
In addition, it can also be unsafe to shoot birds on the ground or on the water because nearby hunters might be in your line of fire.
Is it legal to keep legal-sized fish caught in hoop nets?
Question: If I catch fish in a hoop net while lobster fishing, are they legal to keep provided they meet any size requirements?
I have been throwing them back because I’m not sure it is legal to catch them that way. Someone told me they must be caught on fishing line only.
What about sea snails and octopus that are caught in my hoops? Can other line-caught sportfish, such as tuna, be used as bait in lobster hoops? Please advise. (Steve G.)
Answer: You were correct to return fish caught in your hoop nets because hoop nets are not a legal method of take.
Finfish may only be caught by hook-and-line except in very specific circumstances listed under “Finfish – Gear Restrictions” in the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 28.65).
Taking sea snails and octopus caught incidentally in your lobster hoop net is not allowed (CCR Title 14, section 29.10(a)).
Any finfish that is legal to take or possess in California may be used as bait in your lobster hoop net.
If license is forgotten, will a photo copy of license do?
Question: My son and I fish from our private boat almost exclusively and keep our sport fishing licenses aboard so they are always present.
On rare occasions we will attempt to fish without the boat, and a few times have forgotten to bring our licenses.
To prevent us from mistakenly being without our fishing licenses, can we show a photo copy of our licenses or can the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) issue more than one copy to a sport fisherman? (Murray C.)
Answer: Good questions, but the answers to both are no.
You must have a valid fishing license in your possession when fishing or attempting to take fish, and you must present it to a game warden upon request.
Additionally, only one license may be issued to a person per year.
Importing buffalo hides and products?
Question: Are there any restrictions on importing buffalo hides or buffalo art productions into California? (Anonymous)
Answer: No. American buffalo (Bison bison) are considered a domestic breed of bovine (like cattle, goats and sheep) and thus no Fish and Wildlife laws regulate them.
American buffalo hides are not restricted by CDFW and so they may be imported or possessed as long as they were obtained legally.
However, the live importation of other species of true buffalo (e.g. African Cape Buffalo, etc.) or their hides is restricted by law (CCR Title 14, section 671).
Is it legal to catch carp and trout by hand?
Question: I recently read a post from people saying they had caught carp by hand in a lake.
Is this legal in California?
I have caught trout by hand in streams when I was younger, but wasn’t sure if that was legal either.
Can you please clarify? (Nick)
Answer: There are no freshwater finfish species that can be legally taken by hand from any California lake waters within the state (only exception: a few fish species are allowed to be caught by hand during specific times in a few non-lake areas, as per CCR Title 14, sections 1.76 and 2.30.)
Electronics and hunting
Question: Is there any law against mounting a camera to the scope of a rifle to record my hunting experience? (Barry N.)
Answer: No, there is no law against this as long as there is no light emitted from the camera.
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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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Anderson Marsh State Historic Park will hold a free, guided nature walk over the newly reopened McVicar Trail beginning at noon on New Year’s Day as part of the nationwide “First Day Hikes” program.
The First Day Hikes offer an opportunity to begin the New Year connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on January 1, 2014 at a state park close to home. All 50 state park systems will be participating in the program.
Take this opportunity to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.
The work to reestablish the McVicar Trail, which has been closed due to fallen trees and landslides, is the result of the Partnership Agreement between the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association.
The McVicar Trail leads from the historic Ranch House and Barn complex, over Lewis Ridge and through the former McVicar Audubon Sanctuary, which was added to the Park in 1988.
This is a fabulous opportunity to experience the Anderson Marsh Natural Preserve, with the McVicar Trail passing through grasslands, oak woodlands, willow and cottonwood riparian habitats and the tule marsh habitat of Anderson Marsh.
This will be a leisurely walk that will cover about five miles of mainly flat terrain and should take between three and three and a half hours, depending on how many times the groups stops to admire what we see along the way.
Participants are welcome to walk part way and make an early return at their own pace.
Participants should bring water and snacks and binoculars if they have them, and wear sturdy shoes.
Rain will cancel the walk.
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Highway 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake.
For more information about the walk, email
For information about how you can help support AMIA’s campaign to keep the park open and thriving, please visit www.andersonmarsh.org , or contact us by telephone or email.
