Recreation
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- Written by: CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
Question: My family would like to rent a house at Stinson Beach in August. I feel silly asking this, but are sharks a legitimate concern for beach visitors in California? Are attacks more common when there are more people in the water, or have I been watching too many horror movies? (Kate)
Answer: Since 1950, there have been 191 shark incidents in California, 14 of which were fatal. Most of these injuries (and all the fatalities) were caused by white sharks – that's the species you typically see portrayed as predators on-screen. In reality, marine biologists do not believe that white sharks intentionally target humans as prey. White sharks typically feed on pinniped populations (like seals), and from their vantage point, a swimmer or surfer might look a lot like a seal or sea lion.
Interestingly, even as the state's population has greatly increased and more people than ever are visiting the beach to surf, swim and scuba dive, the number of shark incidents has not increased proportionally. And while it's true that incidents have been reported in almost every coastal county, when you consider the number of people who visit the coastline overall, the likelihood of coming face-to-face with a shark is extremely slim. Two much more common dangers are rip currents (which occur statewide) and stingrays (in warmer Southern California waters).
So, before you dip your toes into the ocean, take a look around for any posted warning notices by local authorities. Being informed is part of staying safe. You probably won't see a shark, but we hope you enjoy the beauty of our spectacular Pacific Ocean.
Is freshwater spearfishing ever allowed?
Question: It is my understanding that spearfishing in freshwater is not authorized in California. Are there any exceptions for spearing invasive species, like pikeminnow at Lake Pillsbury in Lake County? (Landon)
Answer: Freshwater spearfishing is generally prohibited for fish species in California, aside from a half-dozen or so specific exceptions listed in the California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 2.30. For example, freshwater spearfishing is permitted in the Colorado River Sport Fishing District in Southern California for carp, tilapia, goldfish and mullet all year. You'll find these regulations on page 16 of the 2020-2021 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.
Lake County and Lake Pillsbury are not included among the areas or specific waters where freshwater spearfishing is allowed for fish species. However, if frog gigging is of any interest to you, invasive American bullfrogs - which make fine table fare - may be taken any time of year, in any number, day or night, by spears, lights, gigs, bow and arrow and fishing tackle, among other methods of take identified in the California Fish and Game Code, section 5.05. Bullfrogs can be taken in most parts of the state provided you have a valid California sport fishing license.
Becoming a wildlife officer
Question: I am a recent high school graduate and turned 18 last month. I want to pursue a career as a wildlife officer. Can I join now? What is the process like? (Troy)
Answer: Congratulations on your graduation - we are happy to hear you're interested in a career with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife! California's wildlife officers have some of the most diverse jobs in law enforcement. The work could include general patrol, enforcing hunting and fishing regulations, serving search warrants or working undercover to catch wildlife traffickers. Or they could be assigned to one of our Cannabis Enforcement Program Teams, a Special Operations Team or an Office of Spill Prevention and Response Team. If you want a unique and rewarding career in law enforcement, this is the job for you!
The first thing you should do is start your college education, in order to meet the minimum qualifications.
These include:
– Sixty semester units of college, 18 of which must be in a specialized, related field (criminal justice, biological sciences, natural resources conservation, ecology or something similar). The good news is that you may apply with just 30 units of college earned, as long 18 of those units are in the specialized field (you will need to complete the full 60 units before appointment).
– Status as a United States citizen or permanent resident alien who has applied for citizenship (you must be a citizen at time of appointment).
The steps of the hiring process are as follows:
– State application and unofficial college transcripts;
– The POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery, also known as the PELLETB written exam;
– Background investigation;
– Physical ability test;
– Panel interview;
– Psychological and medical screening.
If you successfully complete the hiring process, you will become a cadet and attend the academy.
Upon successful completion of the academy, you will move on to field training, working with veteran officers and trainers.
Once field training is complete, you would report to your first assigned district as a solo wildlife officer.
It's a long process, but absolutely worth it!
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies will also provide updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands and possible impacts to hunter access on public lands resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting will be held online via Microsoft Teams on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 to 11 a.m.
To attend the online presentation, please RSVP to
CDFW will discuss the following state lands:
– Mendota Wildlife Area;
– Los Banos Wildlife Area including Volta and Mud Slough Units;
– North Grasslands Wildlife Area including Salt Slough, China Island, Gadwall and Widell/Ramaciotti Units.
USFWS will discuss the following federal lands:
– Merced National Wildlife Refuge including the Lone Tree Unit;
– San Luis National Wildlife Refuge including Kesterson, Blue Goose, East and West Bear Creek, and Freitas Units.
The presentation will cover CDFW’s statewide plan to keep hunters and department staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued efforts to provide recreational opportunities.
California Fish and Game Code section 1758 states CDFW shall annually provide an opportunity for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on public hunting programs including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A Wildlife Areas, as defined under the commission’s regulations, through public meetings or other outreach.
In complying with this section, CDFW may hold regional meetings on its hunting programs for several different wildlife areas.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Answer: It depends on the type of goose. Almost all birds native (naturally occurring) to the United States are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, or MBTA. The MBTA prohibits the take of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization by the Department of Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This includes Canada geese, which often take advantage of man-made lakes and lawns near communities. Occasionally, domesticated/feral geese such as graylag (differentiated by their plumage and morphology) can be found in the same areas.
Resident Canada goose populations (those breeding in the lower 48 states) have increased considerably since the 1990s and have expanded outside their historical breeding range in California. Conflicts between landowners and resident Canada geese have increased proportionately as a result. You're right that man-made lakes are a big factor in attracting geese.
You can legally haze or harass waterfowl, including resident Canada geese, that are depredating on private lands. Non-lethal methods must be used to discourage depredating geese, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) advocates that landowners take proactive measures to deter Canada geese from using impacted private property. These measures can include reducing grass areas or allowing grass to grow long, use of dogs, employing visual deterrents (such as scarecrows, predator decoys, mylar flagging and balloons) and fencing or barriers. It's also important to avoid feeding geese as that only makes the problem worse. Waterfowl hunting can be an effective deterrent in problem areas when state and local regulations allow this activity.
If the geese in your yard are domestic (see photos), the response options are different. They're not protected as a migratory bird species and may be dealt with by local animal control offices or perhaps animal rescue groups that may be willing to assist.
Hunting ground squirrels in California
Question: I live in Modoc County where a species of ground squirrels (rodents) live and eat in the alfalfa fields. Are hunting licenses required to shoot them? And is nonlead ammo required? My feeling is that these are not game animals but would fall into the rodent family. I know that I don't need a license to trap and or shoot rats and mice, so where do these pests stand? (Dean)
Answer: A valid California hunting license is required for the recreational taking of certain authorized nongame birds and mammals, which include species such as feral pigeons, coyotes and rodents like ground squirrels, as per California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 472.
California Fish and Game Code, section 4152 does allow an exemption for depredation purposes on private property. No hunting license is needed by property owners, tenants of the premises, employees and agents in immediate possession of written permission from the property owner to take certain nongame mammals such as ground squirrels and other rodents injuring crops and causing other property damage.
Nonlead ammunition is required when taking wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California for any purpose, whether for recreational hunting or depredation.
Carrying a knife while diving
Question: Is it legal to carry a knife for safety purposes while diving in a Marine Protected Area (MPA)? (Chris)
Answer: Except where specifically prohibited, non-extractive activities (swimming, wading, boating, diving and surfing) are allowed in MPAs. A knife is considered standard safety gear for both free and scuba divers, so carrying one on your person is not expressly prohibited while diving.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
To fish the rest of the year, a license is required and available for purchase online through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's website.
"In these challenging times, many Californians have discovered that fishing is a great outlet for physical and mental health," said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. "Free Fishing Day is a wonderful opportunity for Californians to give fishing a try and perhaps discover a new passion that offers a lifetime of learning, adventure and memorable experiences in the outdoors."
CDFW offers two Free Fishing Days each year – typically around the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends – when it's legal to fish without any license.
The July 4 Free Fishing Day arrives as California's fishing seasons are in full swing statewide following some COVID-19 related delays to the start of ocean salmon seasons and the general trout opener. The second Free Fishing Day will take place Saturday, Sept. 5.
All fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect on Free Fishing Days. 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.
CDFW reminds anglers to abide by all state and local health guidelines regarding non-essential travel and physical distancing. Staying home in order to stay healthy is still the best way to keep yourself and others safe. Anglers also are advised to check with local authorities on the status of access points as site closures and access restrictions may exist and may change daily.
A basic annual resident sport fishing license in California currently costs $51.02, while a one-day fishing license costs $16.46. California has issued more fishing licenses in 2020 than the state-issued through this same time last year.
Annual resident sport fishing license sales are up 13 percent. Overall, California sport fishing licenses – which include resident, nonresident, annual, short-term and lifetime licenses among others – are up 7 percent in 2020 compared to last year.
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