CDFW recommends anglers with 2024 Sturgeon Fishing Report Cards hold onto them until the Fish and Game Commission makes a decision on whether White Sturgeon fishing may resume in some capacity under the authority of Fish and Game Code section 2084.
Sturgeon Fishing Report Cards (Cards) are an integral part of Department and legislative efforts to reduce the illegal commercialization of sturgeon. Cards provide critical data on catch and (prior to CESA candidacy) harvest that enable the Department to make informed fisheries management decisions surrounding White Sturgeon and federally threatened Green Sturgeon populations. While Card reporting is legally mandated for all anglers targeting White Sturgeon, it also serves as one of the most important actions anglers can take towards conserving these species.
Fees and information on the Report Card and other California sturgeon fishing regulations may be found on our Regulations page.
Program Overview
The California Sturgeon Report Card program was initiated in 2007 to help CDFW gather good quality data about the White Sturgeon recreational fishery. The Report Card gives us information on things like how many anglers are fishing for sturgeon, how many fish are caught per year, and how any are released vs. kept for the table (when harvest was permitted). This is some of the most useful information we can get, and we use it to help monitor the fishery and determine how much fishing pressure the population is experiencing. Filling in the Report Card completely and returning it on time are some of the most important things anglers can do to help CDFW manage these fish and keep them around forever.
Card Purchasing and Reporting
Fishing for White Sturgeon, including catch and release, is closed at this time. CDFW recommends anglers refrain from purchasing a new 2024 Card until the Fish and Game Commission makes a decision on whether White Sturgeon fishing may resume in some capacity under the authority of Fish and Game Code section 2084. Anglers that already have a 2024 Sturgeon Fishing Report Cards should hold onto them until the FGC makes a decision about the fishery.
Report Cards may be purchased online or wherever fishing licenses are sold. Just like licenses, they are good for one year, from January 1 to December 31. You must have a Report Card with you if you are fishing for sturgeon, even if you do not plan to keep any. Anglers must return their completed Report Cards, or submit the information online, by January 31 after the Report Card expires. Prior to purchasing your sturgeon report card you must have a valid sport fishing license.
Where to Purchase
Online(opens in new tab) License Agents(opens in new tab) CDFW Offices(opens in new tab)
POSSESION OF A STURGEON REPORT CARD IS REQUIRED OF ANY ANGLER FISHING FOR OR TAKING WHITE STURGEON IN ALL CALIFORNIA WATERS
How to Report
Reporting Period: January 1 - 31
RETURNING YOUR REPORT CARD IS MANDATORY
Report Your Harvest Online (preferred)(opens in new tab)
Or report your harvest by mail to the address listed on the report card.
Card Data Results
Anglers are required to return Sturgeon Cards in January of the following year (by mail or using the online reporting system; see the "Purchase & Report" tab for more details). After January 31, we compile all Card data from the previous year and produce an annual technical report. The resulting report summarizes data from the previous Card year for comparison with past Card years. This allows us to document trends in sturgeon catch, harvest, and angler participation in the fishery. Visit our Bibliography page for access to the most recent report (PDF)(opens in new tab), as well as past reports.
The following tabs display graphs for various analyses of Card data, along with explanations for each plot.
Sturgeon Identification Tips
Green Sturgeon
- Olive green with dark stripe on sides and belly
- Barbels closer to mouth
- 33 or fewer sharp lateral (side) scutes
- Scutes behind vent
- Vent between pelvic fins
White Sturgeon
- Gray with pale belly
- Barbels closer to tip of snout
- 37 or more dull lateral (side) scutes
- No scutes behind vent
- Vent behind pelvic fins
![white and green sturgeon](/portals/0/Images/InlandFisheries/Sturgeon/ReportCard/White-vs-Green-sturgeon-picOnly.jpg)
Photo credits: NOAA Fisheries
Sturgeon Report Card Map
Click on the map image to access the ArcGIS online map for further details on fishing regions and catch analytics. Scroll down for numerical code definitions.
Card Code
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Card Description
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1
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Sacramento River: Red Bluff to Colusa (2007-2009)
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01A
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Sacramento River: Upstream of Red Bluff (closed area, not labeled on map)
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01B
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Sacramento River: Red Bluff to Hwy 32 bridge (closed area, not labeled on map)
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01C
|
Sacramento River: Hwy 32 bridge to Colusa
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2
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Sacramento River: Colusa to Knights Landing
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3
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Sacramento River: Knights Landing to Rio Vista
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4
|
Sacramento River: Rio Vista to Chipps Island
|
5
|
Feather River
|
6
|
American River
|
7
|
Sacramento Deepwater Ship Channel
|
8
|
Yolo Bypass
|
9
|
Montezuma Slough
|
10
|
Napa River
|
11
|
Petaluma River
|
12
|
San Joaquin River: Upstream of HWY 140 bridge
|
13
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San Joaquin River: HWY 140 bridge to Stockton
|
14
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San Joaquin River: Stockton to Sherman Lake
|
15
|
Old River
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16
|
San Pablo Bay
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17
|
Carquinez Strait
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18
|
Suisun Bay
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19
|
Grizzly Bay
|
20
|
San Francisco Bay: North of HWY 80
|
21
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San Francisco Bay: South of HWY 80
|
22
|
Pacific Ocean: North of Golden Gate Bridge
|
23
|
Pacific Ocean: Golden Gate Bridge to Point Sur
|
24
|
Pacific Ocean: Point Sur to San Diego
|
25
|
Any reservoir or lake (not labeled on map)
|
26
|
Klamath River (closed area, not labeled on map)
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