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Most Recent

An underwater photo of two spiny lobsters on the sea floor.

Spiny Lobster Recreational and Commercial Fisheries Set to Open with Delays in Portions of Los Angeles and Orange Counties Due to Public Health Hazard

22 September | by Peter.Tira@Wildlife.ca.gov | 0 Comment

The California spiny lobster fishery is set to open Friday, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. for recreational diving and hoop netting, followed by the commercial fishery on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The recreational opener is 12 hours earlier than past seasons this year, providing an extra night of recreational fishing opportunity.

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A cluster of New Zealand mudsnails atop a rock.

Invasive New Zealand Mudsnails Discovered In Lake Tahoe

21 September | by Peter.Tira@Wildlife.ca.gov | 0 Comment

CDFW was informed by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) that divers monitoring for aquatic invasive species in Lake Tahoe detected invasive New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in areas off the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. New Zealand mudsnail samples were subsequently positively identified by experts within CDFW and an outside genetics lab. This is the first time the species has been detected in Lake Tahoe.

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A pair of pintail ducks, male and female, rest on a wetland pond.

Water Shortages Will Limit Waterfowl Hunting at Shasta Valley Wildlife Area, Other Northeastern Properties

18 September | by Peter.Tira@Wildlife.ca.gov | 0 Comment

CDFW will reopen the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area in Siskiyou County to limited waterfowl hunting this season after a complete closure the past two seasons. Although many parts of California received record rainfall and snowpack during the winter and spring of 2022-23, northeastern California remained comparatively dry. As a result, only dry field hunting will be allowed for waterfowl hunting this season at the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area.

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Emergency Actions for Streams and Rivers

Fish and Game Code allows for emergency work to take place in streams and rivers without a CDFW permit. "Emergency" is defined as a sudden, unexpected occurrence, involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services.

Fish and Game Code Section 1610 outlines a process related to emergencies that does not require acquisition of a permit from CDFW in advance of work within streams.

  1. Emergency actions can occur in advance of the actual damaging event;
  2. Emergency actions may also include necessary subsequent actions (e.g. debris removal) that followed an immediate emergency (e.g. flooding);
  3. Entities must notify CDFW in writing within 14 days after beginning the emergency work; and
  4. CDFW is available to assist with any related questions (contact the Regional Manager of the applicable Regional Office).

See also: more information regarding the emergency notification process and more information about CDFW’s streambed alteration program in general.