Recreation
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
What's a daily bag and possession limit?
Question: The fishing regulations talk about "a daily bag and possession limit of fish." In the case of striper, it lists two. My question is this: If you catch legal size fish, you keep the first and give away the second to another angler, are you still allowed to continue fishing and keep another fish? (Jeff)
Answer: No, in your example you would have taken three striped bass (one more than the limit, which is two). No more than one daily bag limit of each kind of fish - striped bass, in this case - may be taken or possessed by any one person unless otherwise authorized, regardless of whether they are fresh, frozen or otherwise preserved, as per California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 14, section 1.17.
If you are interested in boat limits for the Ocean and San Francisco Bay District, please review CCR Title 14, sections 27.60 and 195.
Trading sport-caught fish
Question: Can I legally trade bluefin tuna caught on a charter boat? This would be a personal trade to someone for fishing gear. (Chad)
Answer: No, it is not legal to trade sport-caught fish for fishing gear. California Fish and Game Code (FGC) section 7121 specifically prohibits selling or purchasing sport-caught fish - and the definition of "sell" includes to barter, exchange or trade (FGC, section 75).
Non-lead ammo exceptions for vintage firearms?
Question: I am the third generation to hunt with my grandfather's .32 Winchester Special. I have been unable to locate nonlead ammunition for the rifle, which I would like to pass on to my son this year. Is there any exception if nonlead is not available, or do you know where I can find some? (John)
Answer: Your Winchester sounds like a great rifle, and one truly worthy of being passed on. But there is not an exception. Nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California. However, there is a possible solution. You may be able to load your own ammo with nonlead bullets. One of our wildlife officers suggested finding a local gun shop or gunsmith who can teach you how. The officer said, "I'm in the same situation - I'm currently in the process of making my own brass for a .255 Dean, a 120-year-old family gun that I'd like to keep in use. Many of the older calibers are nearly impossible to use without loading your own ammo."
Also, you should know that manufacturers are adding more and more nontoxic rounds and calibers as time goes by - so continue to check the list of Certified Nonlead Ammunition from time to time! And you can continue to use lead ammunition for target shooting where allowed, which is another way to continue enjoying your grandfather's rifle.
Hunting coyotes during archery-only deer season
Question: Can I still hunt coyotes with a rifle during the archery deer seasons or do I need to wait until the general rifle seasons open for deer? I would only be hunting coyotes. I will not be bow hunting for deer. (Ivan)
Answer: Unlike deer, which have very specific and highly regulated hunting seasons, coyotes may be hunted at any time of year, as per CCR Title 14, section 472(a). So you are allowed to hunt coyotes with a rifle at the same time an archery deer season may also be underway in the area you are hunting. To hunt coyotes with a rifle, you will need a valid California hunting license and nonlead ammunition, which is required for the taking of any wildlife in California with a firearm. You cannot, however, do both and hunt deer with a bow while carrying a firearm for coyotes. FGC, section 4370(a) states that "a person taking or attempting to take deer during such archery season shall neither carry, nor have under his or her immediate control, any firearm of any kind."
Collecting moon snails
Question: Can I catch moon snails in Bodega Bay? (Bryan)
Answer: Moon snails cannot be taken north of the Golden Gate Bridge, per CCR Title 14, section 29.71. Since Bodega Bay is north of the Golden Gate Bridge, moon snails cannot be collected there. If you can travel just down the peninsula, San Mateo County is a popular area for collecting moon snails.
Moon snails are a classification of mollusk and live in mud flats and low intertidal zones on the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to San Diego. They can be identified by their large foot-to-shell size and globe-like, brownish-white shell.
South of the Golden Gate, possession limits on moon snails can be found in the California Recreational Ocean Fishing Regulations under Invertebrate Fishing Regulations. Moon snails can be collected year-round with a daily possession limit of five.
Remember, to legally take any mollusk in California, including moon snails, you'll need a valid fishing license in your possession.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Free Fishing Day is being offered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on Saturday, Sept. 5.
"Free Fishing Day is the perfect chance to see what so many Californians already have discovered: That fishing can be a great escape in difficult times and does wonders to invigorate physical health and restore mental well-being," said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham.
While no fishing license is required on the Sept. 5 Free Fishing Day, all fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect.
Every angler must have an appropriate report card if they are fishing for steelhead or sturgeon anywhere in the state or salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity river systems.
Anglers can review the sport fishing regulations online or use CDFW's mobile website to view freshwater limits and regulations specific to a body of water.
A basic annual resident sport fishing license in California currently costs $51.02, while a one-day fishing license costs $16.46.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Californians are rediscovering the joys of fishing and its restorative effects. California has issued more annual, resident sport fishing licenses so far in 2020 than the state-issued throughout all of 2019.
Fishing can be a safe outdoor activity that allows for physical distancing. CDFW asks all anglers to adhere to all site-specific rules and regulations.
Before heading to a public area or fishing destination, please check to see if any safeguard or restrictions have been instituted to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
For expert anglers, Free Fishing Day is a perfect time to introduce newcomers to the sport. For novice anglers without a mentor to guide them, CDFW has developed a new R3 webpage for those looking to learn more about fishing, hunting and wild food in California. Aspiring anglers will find a collection of fishing information, instructional materials, tutorials and other useful links on the webpage.
CDFW offers two Free Fishing Days each year – typically around the Fourth of July and Labor Day holiday weekends – when it's legal to fish without any license.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
The wildlife areas are closed for all public uses including hunting and hiking.
The A Zone deer hunt season, dove hunt season and fall wild turkey hunt season will be closed for the remainder of the year.
The closures will help ensure public safety and allow CDFW to fully evaluate the effects of the wildfire.
When the wildlife areas are considered safe for public use, CDFW will issue a press release announcing their re-opening.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
This year’s season for mourning dove, white-winged dove, spotted dove and ringed turtle dove will run from Tuesday, Sept. 1, through Tuesday, Sept. 15, statewide, followed by a second hunt period, Saturday, Nov. 14, through Monday, Dec. 28.
Mourning dove and white-winged dove have a daily bag limit of 15, up to 10 of which may be white-winged dove. The possession limit is triple the daily bag limit. There are no limits on spotted dove and ringed turtle dove.
Hunting for Eurasian collared-dove is open year-round and there is no limit. A dove identification guide can be found on the CDFW website.
Please note that nonlead ammunition is required when taking wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California. Please plan accordingly. For more information please see the California Department of Fish and Wildlife nonlead ammunition page.
Due to safeguards and limitations necessitated by COVID-19, CDFW asks all hunters to please respect physical distancing from other hunters and adhere to all site-specific rules and regulations. Before heading to a CDFW facility or public area, please check to see if any regulations or restrictions have been instituted to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
All of CDFW’s most popular and productive wildlife areas for dove hunting will be open to the public during the first half of the season. These areas include Upper Butte Basin, Gray Lodge, Yolo Bypass, North Grasslands, Los Banos and Imperial Valley wildlife areas, and Palo Verde Ecological Reserve.
All of these areas have been planted with food crops to attract and hold doves. Maps are available at some check station locations. Entry procedures vary from area to area, so hunters are advised to call ahead in preparing for their hunt. Portions of Los Banos and North Grasslands wildlife areas are restricted to special permit holders until noon on Sept. 1, after which they open to public hunting the remainder of the season.
Mourning doves are denizens of dry environments, and are capable of exploiting many food types and sources. There have been a few isolated cases of avian trichomonas in mourning dove this year, so hunters are encouraged to report any birds that appear to have the disease.
While the final results of the 2020 statewide dove banding effort are not yet available, initial numbers indicate no shortage of mourning doves for the opener. Hunters who encounter a banded bird are asked to report it to the U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Lab. Banded birds are part of important biological monitoring and reporting of bands completes the process.
Dove hunting is considered a great starting point for new hunters. There is very little equipment required and just about any place open for hunting will have mourning doves. Minimum requirements are a valid hunting license and upland game bird stamp (if the hunter is 18 or older), good footwear, a shotgun, shotgun shells and plenty of water. Hunters should be careful not to underestimate the amount of fluids needed, especially during the first half of the season.
Most successful dove hunters position themselves near a known flyway for doves. These sites can be near paths to and from roost sites, water, food sources or gravel. Doves are usually taken by pass shooting these flyways, but hunters may also be successful jump shooting.
Dove movement is most frequent in the early mornings and late evenings when they are flying from and to their roost sites (this is when the majority of hunters go into the field). Late morning to early afternoon can be better for jump shooting. Hunters should scout out dove activity in the area a few times just prior to hunting.
Important laws and regulations to consider include the following:
– Shoot time for doves is one half hour before sunrise to sunset.
– All hunters — including junior hunters — are required to carry their hunting license with them.
– Hunters must have written permission from the landowner prior to hunting on private land.
– Bag limits apply to each hunter and no one can take more than one legal limit.
– It is illegal to shoot within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling.
– It is illegal to shoot from or across a public roadway.
– It is illegal to hunt within 200 yards of an artificial water source for wildlife.
– It is the responsibility of every hunter to know and follow all laws.
Safety is the most important part of any hunting adventure. Safety glasses are a simple way to protect the eyes and are available in many shades for hunting in all types of lighting situations.
The weather throughout the state on Sept. 1 is expected to be hot and dry. CDFW urges hunters to drink plenty of fluids, wear sun protection and have a plan in case of an accident.
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