How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Recreation
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds 2014-2015 Spiny Lobster Report Card holders to return their cards by April 30, 2015, as required by law.
Please note: Any 2014-2015 Spiny Lobster Report Card holder who fails to return their card by April 30 will be charged a non-return fee of $20 upon issuance of a Spiny Lobster Report Card in the subsequent fishing season, or they may choose to skip one fishing season to be able to purchase a lobster card the following season at no extra cost.
The Automated License Data System (ALDS) has greatly increased the ability of CDFW to remind card purchasers of the need to return report cards by sending out reminder notices through the mail.
A reminder notice was mailed to all cardholders to return their report cards to CDFW or submit their harvest data online.
If you receive a reminder notice but have already submitted your card or reported online, CDFW thanks you.
Cardholders should review their cards carefully and check that information recorded is complete and accurate. Information collected from the cards provides CDFW with data necessary to monitor and manage California’s spiny lobster fishery.
The cards need to be returned, even if no lobsters were taken or no attempts were made to take lobsters. Spiny Lobster Report Card data can be submitted online at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/harvestreporting .
Report cards also can be submitted by mail to: CDFW – Lobster Report Card, 3883 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123.
Additional information and a list of frequently asked questions about this program can be found on CDFW’s Ocean Sport Fishing Web page, http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/invertebrate/lobster.asp .
- Details
- Written by: Editor
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This Saturday night, May 2, Lakeport Speedway will host race No. 2 of the North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest.
This traveling tour for IMCA type modifieds has an 11-race schedule at seven different race tracks.
Saturday will be their first and only visit to Lakeport in 2015.
The NSMS season opener at All American Speedway produced 24 cars with Rich Lindgren of Rio Linda the big $1,000 winner.
Lindgren is the current points leader followed by Anderson driver Cody Braund, Redding's Michael Morrison and Jason Philpot of Sacramento.
The North State drivers will be joined by many of the local Stahl modified series guys which promises to bring a full-field of cars with plenty of action in the 60-lap feature event.
The North State Modified Series will join the Lakeport Speedway bombers, jammers, and Legends Cars.
For more information visit the North State Modified Series Facebook page or call 707-274-1662.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The recommendation by the state Fish and Game Commission to close more than five miles of the Sacramento River to fishing was approved by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on Friday, April 24.
An emergency regulation closing 5.5 miles of spawning habitat above the city of Redding on the Upper Sacramento River went into effect April 27.
Enhanced protective measures were also included in the ocean sport and commercial fisheries regulations for the 2015 season.
The emergency regulation closes all fishing on the 5.5 mile stretch of the Sacramento River from the Highway 44 Bridge where it crosses the Sacramento River upstream to Keswick Dam.
The area is currently closed to salmon fishing but was open to trout fishing.
The closure will protect critical spawning habitat and eliminate any incidental stress or hooking mortality of winter-run salmon by anglers.
It is highly unusual for a state to propose even stricter guidelines on a listed species than required by the federal Endangered Species Act.
However, CDFW scientists believe the additional protection provided in the emergency river closure and additional ocean fishing restrictions will help a significant segment of the winter-run population to avoid losses.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
Fishing or foul hooking?
Question: When sport fishing for black bass, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) regulations say the fish must willingly take the bait in its mouth.
However, it doesn't say if the hook has to be inside the mouth or not.
For example, when fishing a multi-hook bait, can the hook go from the outside to the inside of the mouth?
As bass often hit these baits while attempting to eat it, the rule seems a little vague. (Randy R.)
Answer: No, this would be considered foul hooking and not legal since the fish is essentially snagged rather than voluntarily trying to eat the lure or bait.
Angling is defined in the regulations to only include “such manner that the fish voluntarily takes the bait or lure in its mouth.”
The outside of its mouth is not in its mouth (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 1.05).
Hunting pigs and turkey simultaneously
Question: There is a bit of a debate going on the Nor-Cal Wild Pig Hunters Facebook group regarding the legality of hunting pigs and turkey simultaneously during turkey season.
Is it legal to carry No. 6 shot shells (for turkey) and rifled slugs (for pigs) at the same time while out hunting turkey in an area that holds pigs?
Many say it is common practice, others say it is illegal to carry slugs (or any shell holding larger than No. 2 shot) while pursuing turkey.
Who’s right? (Mark, San Bruno)
Answer: It would be legal to hunt pigs and turkeys simultaneously because a slug is not shot.
A hunter who possesses shot size larger than No. 2 could be cited while turkey hunting, but the regulation limiting shot size that may be possessed when taking turkey does not address slugs.
Methods authorized for taking big game (wild pig) include shotgun slugs, rifle bullets, pistol and revolver bullets, bow and arrow and crossbow (2014-2015 Mammal Hunting Regulation booklet, page 24, section 353).
Methods of take for resident small game (wild turkey) are shotguns 10 gauge or smaller. Shotgun shells may not be used or possessed that contain shot size larger than No. BB, except that shot size larger than No. 2 may not be used or possessed when taking wild turkey (CCR Title 14, section 311(b)).
How can I prove my innocence regarding a fishing citation?
Question: If I am cited by a wildlife officer for a short fish or an overlimit of crustaceans but believe I am innocent, how can I prove it?
Do I have to go to court at my own expense to prove my innocence? (Dustan B.)
Answer: If you believe that you are innocent of the violation(s) you were charged with, then yes, you need to appear in court on the date listed on the citation.
You will then have the opportunity to enter a plea of guilty, no contest or not guilty. If you enter a plea of not guilty, you will have your opportunity to explain your side of the story to the judge.
Fishing with mosquito fish/guppies for bait?
Question: I live in the Central Valley, Fresno to be exact. In inland waters where mosquito fish are resident, is a person legally able to use “mosquito fishes” as bait (similar to using minnows as bait)?
I would already presume transferring them from one body of water to another is prohibited, but what if the body of water is already inhabited by mosquito fish? (John T., Fresno)
Answer: Mosquito fish are not native to California waters but were introduced into California around 1922 to consume and suppress mosquitos and their larvae.
Allowable live baits that may be used in the Central District, which includes the Fresno area, can be found in section 4.20 of the 2014-2015 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (page 17). Legally acquired mosquitofish can be legally used in any body of water for bait except those listed under 4.20(f).
Use and transportation of bait fish is strictly regulated in the Freshwater Fishing Regulations booklet (CCR Title 14, section 4.00) to prevent the inadvertent transfer of a baitfish species from one body of water to another.
It’s a good idea to double-check this section of the regulations booklet whenever you are transporting baitfish to your favorite fishing spot.
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
- Details
- Written by: Carrie Wilson