Recreation
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Federal regulations for Pacific halibut were published in 85 Federal Register 25317 on May 1, 2020, and were effective April 30, 2020, and ocean salmon regulations were published in 85 Federal Register 27317 on May 8, 2020, and were effective as of that date.
Pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 1.95, ocean salmon and Pacific halibut sport fishing regulations in state waters automatically conform to these new federal regulations.
Both the ocean salmon fishery and the Pacific halibut fishery opened on May 1. Anglers are reminded to abide by all state and local health guidelines regarding non-essential travel and physical distancing. Anglers are also advised to check with local authorities on the status of harbor and access points as site closures and access restrictions may change daily.
The 2020 recreational ocean salmon season dates for the California coast are as follows: In the Klamath Management Zone, which is the area between the Oregon/California state line and Horse Mountain (40°05'00" N. latitude), the season will open June 6 and will continue through Aug. 9.
The Fort Bragg and San Francisco areas, which extend from Horse Mountain to Point Arena (38°57'30" N. latitude) and Point Arena to Pigeon Point (37°11'00" N. latitude), respectively, opened May 1 and will continue through Nov. 8.
The Monterey area between Pigeon Point and the U.S./Mexico border opened on May 1 and will continue through Oct. 4.
The minimum size limit is 20 inches total length in all areas north of Pigeon Point. In the Monterey area the minimum size limit is 24 inches total length. The daily bag limit is two Chinook salmon per day. No more than two daily bag limits may be possessed when on land. On a vessel in ocean waters, no person shall possess or bring ashore more than one daily bag limit. Retention of coho salmon (also known as silver salmon) is prohibited in all ocean fisheries off California.
Next year's April recreational ocean salmon season has also been determined at this time. In 2021, the recreational ocean salmon season will open April 3 south of Horse Mountain. The minimum size limit is 20 inches total length in the Fort Bragg management area and 24 inches total length south of Point Arena. The daily bag limit is two Chinook salmon per day. The remainder of the 2021 ocean salmon season will be decided in April of next year.
The 2020 Pacific halibut season is scheduled to be open statewide seven days per week from May 1 through Oct. 31, or until the quota has been met, whichever is earlier. There is no minimum size limit for this species. The daily bag and possession limit is one fish.
Again this year, the public can follow the progress of catch through the season on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Pacific halibut webpage; however, updates to catch information may be offered less frequently than in prior years.
Public notification of any in-season change is made through the National Marine Fisheries Service Ocean Salmon and Pacific Halibut Hotlines.
Before engaging in any fishing activity for these species, please check one of the following resources for the most up-to-date information.
Ocean salmon resources:
CDFW webpage, www.wildlife.ca.gov/oceansalmon
NMFS Ocean Salmon Hotline, 800-662-9825
CDFW Ocean Salmon Hotline, 707-576-3429
Pacific halibut resources:
CDFW Pacific halibut webpage, www.wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/pacific-halibut
NMFS Halibut Hotline, 800-662-9825
CDFW Recreational Groundfish and Pacific Halibut Regulations Hotline, 831-649-2801
- Details
- Written by: Mendocino National Forest
The brushing and culvert cleaning work will occur about 6 miles west of Stonyford on both sides of the M5 Road between Gray Pine Campground and Wolf Creek.
Please watch for personnel and equipment in the general vicinity of the project area and drive with caution.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
However, anglers are reminded 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 are also advised to check with local authorities on the status of harbor services and access points as many site closures and access restrictions exist and may change daily.
The ocean salmon fishery will open May 1 in the Fort Bragg, San Francisco and Monterey areas [Horse Mountain (40°05'00" N. latitude) to the U.S./Mexico border], while the boat-based groundfish fishery in the Northern and Mendocino management areas [Oregon/California state line to Point Arena (38 °57.5" N. latitude)] will open as well.
The groundfish fishery in other California management areas remains open. The Pacific halibut fishery also will open statewide on May 1.
Federal regulations establish recreational fishing seasons for California's ocean salmon, groundfish and Pacific halibut fisheries, following recommendations made by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The California Fish and Game Commission adopts regulations for state waters to match the federal season dates.
Please check the following resources for more information on these fisheries:
– CDFW's Ocean Salmon webpage, Ocean Salmon Hotline, 707-576-3429, or the National Marine Fisheries Service Ocean Salmon Hotline, 800-662-9825.
– CDFW's Recreational Groundfish Regulations webpage or Groundfish and Pacific halibut regulations hotline, 831-649-2801.
– CDFW's Pacific halibut webpage, Groundfish and Pacific halibut hotline at 831- 649-2801, or the NMFS Pacific halibut hotline, 800-662-9825.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California tag found in Washington
Question: Here's a photo of a tag that was found attached to rope entangled in kelp near the New Dungeness Lighthouse in Washington State. Can you identify what the tag is for and where it might have originated? (Mark)
Answer: You found a commercial Dungeness crab buoy tag for the biennial period of 2017-2019. Tags like these are attached to floating buoys on commercial crab pots. How interesting that it floated all the way up to Washington! Tags can become dislodged from lines for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they are cut by boat propellers, kelp stands or from floating logs dragging on the line. The tag you photographed originated in northern California. It isn't of any use to the original permit holder, so we would consider it marine debris at this point. You can feel free to dispose of the tag.
Fall hunting seasons and COVID-19
Question: I was happy to see that the 2020-21 hunting licenses and tags are now available for purchase! Is there any talk of canceling hunting opportunities, though? Would I get a refund if I was successful in the Big Game Drawing, but then couldn't hunt? (Andy)
Answer: There are no plans to close fall hunting seasons or restrict opportunities at this time. Some properties managed by other government agencies are closed to hunting this spring. Big game seasons are still several months away, and we are hopeful that most or all restrictions related to COVID-19 will be lifted by then.
You can find the 2020 Big Game Hunting Digest on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website. The deadline to apply for the Big Game Drawing is June 2, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
We are also hopeful that all successful applicants will have the opportunity to hunt. That said, these are unprecedented times, and we can't predict the future with certainty. We are closely monitoring direction from the Governor's office as well as local health and safety orders, and at this time, we have made the decision to proceed with the Big Game Drawing. If a situation arises in which a successful applicant is unable to travel due to COVID-19, we will evaluate that request within the bounds of the law and make a case-by-case decision.
Can I fish from a power boat below the Feather River Fish Hatchery?
Question: I have been fishing the Feather River in downtown Oroville just below the Feather River Fish hatchery for years. I was under the impression you couldn't use a motorized boat to fish that section. However, I have been seeing a lot of motorized boats fishing that area recently, and I can't find any regulations on this. Can you take a motorized boat up the river below the hatchery? (Michael)
Answer: There are no laws prohibiting the use of motorized boats on the Feather River below the hatchery. In fact, you will often see CDFW employees and California Department of Water Resources employees out on motorized boats doing various work on that portion of the Feather River.
With regard to fishing, you'll want to make sure you are fishing for a legal species during its open season. Please note that the section of the Feather River closest to the hatchery - from the Fish Barrier Dam down to the Table Mountain bicycle bridge - is closed to fishing all year.
Carrying two rods?
Question: Is it legal to carry two fly rods in case one breaks? (Mike)
Answer: You can carry as many rods as you'd like as long as there's not more than one line in the water at the same time. California law would prohibit you from fishing with two rods in inland waters without first obtaining a second rod validation, unless you are under 16. The second rod validation does not apply to waters where anglers are required to use only barbless hooks and artificial lures.
Can I have a javelina as a pet?
Question: Are javelina legal to keep as pets in California? (Gregg)
Answer: The javelina (Tayassu tajacu) also known as collared peccary, is restricted under California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 671. They can only be kept in California under a Restricted Species Permit issued for scientific or educational purposes. They are not legal to keep as pets.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email
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