Several people fish in a shallow river surrounded by grassy hills and trees

 Emergency Actions for Streams and Rivers

Notice Regarding Fish and Game Code section 1610

Advance notification is not required for emergency work in streams, lakes, and rivers when carried out pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 1610. Typical emergency projects are immediate actions taken during or immediately after an emergency for the in-kind repair of a structure or facility, or to remove debris from a water course. Examples of emergency work that can take place without notifying CDFW in advance include immediate work necessary to protect life or property; emergency repairs to public facilities necessary to maintain service; and emergency projects to maintain, repair, or restore existing highways.

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Drought related actions protecting CA's fish and wildlife

CDFW Actions

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Report What You've Seen

• sick or dead fish/wildlife • species of concern • invasive species • oil/toxic spills • abandoned fishing gear

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Recent News Releases

 News Room

Most Recent

Woman fishing in lake. CDFW photo

Celebrate America’s 250th with One of Our Oldest Pastimes — California Free Fishing Day is July 4

30 June | by Krysten.Kellum@Wildlife.ca.gov | 0 Comment

To celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, CDFW invites you to go fishing without a sport fishing license by taking advantage of the first of two 2026 California Free Fishing Days on Independence Day, Saturday, July 4. One of the oldest pastimes enjoyed by Americans, fishing gets you outside to experience, explore and appreciate the great outdoors.

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Photo of sardines in the ocean. Photo credit CDFW Cianna Porzio

Monterey Bay Northern Anchovy and Pacific Sardine Commercial Take Restrictions and Recreational Advisory in Place Due to Public Health Hazard

26 June | by Cort.Klopping@Wildlife.ca.gov | 0 Comment

State health agencies determined that northern anchovy and Pacific sardine recently sampled from Monterey Bay contained elevated levels of domoic acid and recommended a commercial fishery restriction and recreational health advisory in the bay for the take of anchovy and sardine for human consumption in the area.

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Dig Deeper

Learn more about the science behind managing California's wildlife and habitat through CDFW blogs and publications.