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Recreation
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Blue crabs in Mission Bay?
Question: I have seen what appears to be blue crabs in the Mission Bay area of San Diego that look like crabs normally found in the southern U.S.
What are these? What is the limit, size and permitted way of catching them in California? I cannot seem to find it in the handbook. (Don F.)
Answer: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has received several reports of blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, in the Mission Bay area of San Diego.
However, none of the reports thus far have been substantiated. According to CDFW Marine Environmental Scientist Travis Buck of San Diego, the crabs you have seen are most likely Portunus xantusii (swimming crab), which are native to Southern California and resemble the East Coast/Gulf of Mexico blue crab.
To harvest these crabs, you will need a California sport fishing license with an ocean enhancement stamp.
There is no closed season or minimum size limit, the bag limit is 35 and these crabs may be taken by hand or with a hoop net.
No more than five hoop nets may be used per person from a boat and no more than two per person from a pier or jetty. There is a maximum of 10 hoop nets per vessel.
Also, divers may not possess any hooked devices while diving for crustaceans, including crabs.
Regulations for these crabs fall under section 29.05, “general regulations for invertebrates,” and 29.80, “gear restrictions for crustaceans,” found on pages 46, 49 and 50 in the current Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.
Can drones be used to find and track wildlife?
Question: A discussion came up at our rod and gun club the other day about whether there are any official regulations or restrictions regarding hunters using drones to assist in locating and tracking big game and/or other wildlife.
I personally can’t believe they would be legal to use but none of us have ever heard any official determination on this subject one way or another.
With deer season in full swing and more people now owning drones, I shudder to think that these increasingly sophisticated aerial contraptions might be used by other hunters for wildlife surveillance and even possibly for the driving or tracking of animals that they are hunting.
Or conversely, what about anti-hunters using them to spook wildlife and disrupt hunters while they are tracking and stocking their animals? What is the official word on this issue? (Anonymous)
Answer: It is unlawful to use a drone to assist in taking wildlife as you describe, and it would be unlawful to harass legal hunters with a drone (Fish and Game Code, section 2009).
It is also unlawful for any person to “… use any motorized, hot-air, or unpowered aircraft or other device capable of flight or any earth orbiting imaging device to locate or assist in locating big game mammals 48 hours before and continuing until 48 hours after any big game hunting season in the same area” (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 251).
Drone owners/pilots should keep in mind that additional legislation is currently being considered that may further restrict the use of drones in different public and private areas. Drones are already prohibited in National Parks and that list may soon grow, so stay tuned.
Crayfish trap limits?
Question: Had a question about crawfishing that no one can seem to answer for me. My questions are how many traps are allowed per person with a fishing license?
I have been told that it’s a limit of 2 but when I look into the California Fish and Game for 2015-2016 Handbook it doesn’t say anything about how many traps are allowed. (William P., Lemoore)
Answer: Crayfish may be harvested year round with a sportfishing license (except for closures listed below) and there are no limits on the number you can possess or take home.
Regarding methods of take, crayfish may be taken only by hand, hook and line, dip net or with traps.
There is no limit on number of traps, however, they may not be over three feet in greatest dimension.
Any other species taken must be returned to the water immediately. Traps need not be closely attended.
For a list of those areas closed to harvest in order to protect the Shasta crayfish, please refer to section 5.35(d) on page 21 of the 2015-2016 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.
In addition, crayfish may not be used for bait in sections of the Pit River (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 4.30).
The season closures in Chapter 3 (District Trout and Salmon Special Regulations) do not apply to crayfish fishing with methods other than hook and line (see sections 7.00 and 7.50(a)(2)).
Multi-day trip for abalone
Question: I'm a rock picker for red abalone. Because of long distance driving I plan to go for a two-day trip.
With daily limits of three, I would get three on the first day and another three on the second day before driving home.
I will then have six abalone in possession. Would this be legal? (Henry)
Answer: No. The bag limit is also the possession limit. You may only legally possess up to three red abalone.
You would have to eat or give away all or part of your first day's limit before you picked more abalone on a subsequent day.
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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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – With successful containment of the Jerusalem and Rocky fires, the Cache Creek Wildlife Area has reopened to public as of Tuesday, Aug. 25, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The Jerusalem fire burned 25,118 acres in Lake, Napa and Yolo counties, eventually joining the southern flank of the Rocky Fire, which was extinguished Aug. 14.
Members of the public are cautioned to be aware of their surroundings when outdoors and are asked to report any smoke, which may indicate spot fires.
Visitors are also reminded that campfires are not allowed on the wildlife area.
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Rainbow trout in anadromous waters
Question: I have taken up fly fishing again after a long while away. This past weekend I went fishing on the Russian River and caught two rainbows/steelhead (one a hatchery fish and the other a wild fish) and both were about 10 inches long.
I am wondering if I have to report fish of that size on my Steelhead Report Card in the future. I recorded them this time out of an abundance of caution, but I don't want to over-inflate the run estimates needlessly. (Kyle K., Healdsburg)
Answer: It can be a bit confusing because steelhead trout and rainbow trout are the same fish. Its scientific name is Oncorhynchus mykiss (O. mykiss).
Generally speaking, rainbow trout are O. mykiss found in land-locked freshwater with no access to the ocean, while steelhead trout are O. mykiss fish found in anadromous waters, which are waters with unimpeded access to the ocean where they live the majority of their life before returning to freshwater to spawn.
For practical purposes and to facilitate compliance, fishing regulations differentiate between rainbow and steelhead in anadromous waters by a 16-inch size threshold.
O. mykiss smaller than 16-inches are treated as rainbow trout, and those bigger than 16-inches are treated as steelhead.
Fishing for steelhead, meaning any O. mykiss in excess of 16-inches, in anadromous waters will require the purchase of a Steelhead Report Card, even if you practice catch-and-release (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 5.88).
The report card provides important data to fishery scientists and requires an entry for each day that you fish and statistics on all fish caught and released. Fishing for O. mykiss less than 16-inches does not require a steelhead report card.
Can other law enforcement agencies enforce CDFW regulations?
Question: I am a current sworn recruit in a Southern California Sheriff’s Department Academy. I will be working in a county with a heavy hunting and fishing population and an abundance of wildlife areas.
I am just curious, and have been earnestly trying to find the answer on my own accord without luck, about a specific phrase in Fish and Game Code, section 2012.
It states:
§ 2012. All licenses, tags, and the birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians taken or otherwise dealt with under this code, and any device or apparatus designed to be, and capable of being, used to take birds, mammals, fish, reptiles or amphibians shall be exhibited upon demand to any person authorized by the department to enforce this code or any law relating to the protection and conservation of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles or amphibians.
My question is: who are the persons authorized by the department to enforce this code or any law relating to the protection and conservation of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles or amphibians?
Are local police and county sheriffs authorized by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to enforce the Fish and Game Code? If it does exist, is there any statute that expresses that authority? (Calen A., M.A.)
Answer: Only CDFW wildlife officers are authorized to enforce the “exhibit upon demand” authority of Fish and Game Code, section 2012.
Police officers and county sheriffs are authorized to enforce most hunting and fishing laws but are not authorized to enforce Fish and Game Code Section 2012.
Aside from CDFW wildlife officers, only Rangers and Lifeguards of the Department of Parks and Recreation are authorized to use that law, and then only while on duty in a state park, state beach, state recreation area, state underwater park, state reserve, or other similar facility.
Although other law enforcement officers can’t make a formal demand under section 2012 to see someone’s licenses, fish, game, or equipment, they can still enforce fish and game laws and inspect these items if they are in plain view or with the person’s consent.
Discharging a firearm along public roadway
Question: As a firearms instructor and hunting enthusiast, I am continually asked the question, “When hunting and on foot (outside of a vehicle), can you discharge a firearm or other weapon (e.g. compound bow) from or along a public roadway?”
Is there a minimum distance from a public roadway? For example, an inhabited structure or barn at 150 yards away? (Don S., Fresno)
Answer: It unlawful to discharge a firearm or release an arrow or crossbow bolt over or across any public road or other established way open to the public in an unsafe and reckless manner (Fish and Game Code, section 3004(b)).
Discharging a firearm from or upon a public road or highway is also prohibited (Penal Code, section 374c).
In addition, it is a felony to willfully discharge a firearm in a grossly negligent manner that could injure another person (Penal Code, section 246.3).
Many cities and counties have also adopted ordinances further restricting where firearms may be fired, so hunters should consult their local law enforcement agency for specific information about the area where they wish to shoot.
Halibut fishing in SF Bay
Question: If I’m trolling for halibut in the San Francisco Bay, can I use another line that has only dodgers and flashers on it without any hooks to attract the fish closer to my boat? I will only have one pole or line with a hook on it. (J.V., Rodeo)
Answer: Yes.
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: Editor
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) program will provide public access for wild pig, waterfowl and upland game hunts, and birdwatching this fall.
SHARE will offer eight wild pig hunts from November to February at Rush Ranch, in southern Solano County. Rush Ranch is a 2,070-acre open space area bordered by the Suisun Marsh. Two permits (each good for two hunters) will be randomly drawn for each period.
SHARE hunters will have access to 1,000 acres of the ranch for this two-night, two-and-a-half day hunt and will also be allowed to camp in a designated area for no extra fee.
The wildlife management area at Merced’s Wastewater Treatment Plant will offer waterfowl, dove and pheasant hunting.
The property is located five miles south of the city of Merced and offers 300 acres for hunting. Tucked between sloughs and agricultural fields, the seasonal pond and wetland provide cover and forage for waterfowl, dove and pheasant.
Turkey hunters will have an opportunity to access 3,200 acres of rolling blue oak woodlands on Bobcat Ranch located in Yolo County’s Vaca Mountain foothills.
Bobcat Ranch will also offer birdwatching opportunities this fall. Successful applicants will receive a SHARE access permit valid for two people. Instructions on how to apply and a bird list for the property can be found on the SHARE Web page.
Birdwatching opportunities will not require a hunting license.
Hunters with a valid California hunting license may apply online at www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/online-sales . A non-refundable application fee of $11.37 will be charged for each hunt choice.
Successful applicants for each property will be allowed to bring a hunting partner or a non-hunting partner depending on the hunt.
These opportunities were made possible by the SHARE Program, which offers incentives to private landowners who allow wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities on their property.
Participating landowners receive liability protection and compensation for providing public access to, or through, their land for wildlife-dependent recreational activities.
The goal of the SHARE Program is to provide hunting, fishing and other recreational access on private lands in California.
For more information about SHARE opportunities please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share .
