CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsEmergency White Sturgeon Harvest Regulations Now in Effecthttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/emergency-white-sturgeon-harvest-regulations-now-in-effectSturgeonFri, 17 Nov 2023 07:59:11 GMTCDFW announced today that emergency regulations enacted by the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) last month to reduce the harvest of white sturgeon in state waters are now in effect, having been approved by the Office of Administrative Law.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced today that emergency regulations enacted by the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) last month to reduce the harvest of white sturgeon in state waters are now in effect, having been approved by the Office of Administrative Law.</p> <p>The new regulations reduce the number of fish that can be kept to one per year, reduce the slot limit to 42-48 inches, cap the number of white sturgeon that can be possessed on a vessel at two per day and add seasonal closures to sturgeon fishing in key spawning areas.</p> <p>The new regulations were enacted by the Commission following a joint recommendation by CDFW and angling groups. The emergency action was taken in response to long-term declines in adult white sturgeon populations as well as impacts of a harmful algal bloom (HAB) in the summer of 2022.</p> <p>There are two sturgeon species in California: green sturgeon and white sturgeon. Green sturgeon are listed as a threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act. White sturgeon are listed in California as a Species of Special Concern.</p> <p>Sturgeon are one of the oldest fish in existence with fossil records dating back more than 200 million years. Individual white sturgeon can live about 100 years and don’t start spawning until approximately 14 to 19 years old. Scientists estimate that white sturgeon in the Central Valley only spawn successfully every six to seven years. White sturgeon abundance has declined significantly from approximately 200,000 harvestable fish in 1997 to around 33,000 (recent five-year average). Sturgeon fisheries in California have closed multiple times in the past due to overharvest.</p> <p>During the summer of 2022, a HAB in the San Francisco and San Pablo bays caused the death of tens of thousands of fish including at least 864 sturgeon. Most sturgeon experts believe there were likely thousands more sturgeon killed during the HAB, that sank to the bottom of bay waters and were not counted.</p> <p>Harvest has been reduced to one white sturgeon for 2023 and 2024. Catch and release fishing for white sturgeon will still be allowed with a valid sturgeon report card after one sturgeon is kept except for closures outlined in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Sections <a href="https://govt.westlaw.com/calregs/Document/IFC2E7D3B5B4C11EC976B000D3A7C4BC3?viewType=FullText&listSource=Search&originationContext=Search+Result&transitionType=SearchItem&contextData=(sc.Search)&navigationPath=Search%2fv1%2fresults%2fnavigation%2fi0ad720f10000018b05f4adb7aa29f1ea%3fppcid%3d8571dc0948724e1687a19b2cd75e370b%26Nav%3dREGULATION_PUBLICVIEW%26fragmentIdentifier%3dIFC2E7D3B5B4C11EC976B000D3A7C4BC3%26startIndex%3d1%26transitionType%3dSearchItem%26contextData%3d%2528sc.Default%2529%26originationContext%3dSearch%2520Result&list=REGULATION_PUBLICVIEW&rank=1&t_T1=14&t_T2=5.80&t_S1=CA+ADC+s" target="_blank">5.80</a> and <a href="https://govt.westlaw.com/calregs/Document/I00A203F55B4D11EC976B000D3A7C4BC3?viewType=FullText&listSource=Search&originationContext=Search+Result&transitionType=SearchItem&contextData=(sc.Search)&navigationPath=Search%2fv1%2fresults%2fnavigation%2fi0ad720f20000018b05f52a563f40b322%3fppcid%3d2a567c8660c1443192e2a098a241db79%26Nav%3dREGULATION_PUBLICVIEW%26fragmentIdentifier%3dI00A203F55B4D11EC976B000D3A7C4BC3%26startIndex%3d1%26transitionType%3dSearchItem%26contextData%3d%2528sc.Default%2529%26originationContext%3dSearch%2520Result&list=REGULATION_PUBLICVIEW&rank=1&t_T1=14&t_T2=27.95&t_S1=CA+ADC+s&bhcp=1" target="_blank">27.95</a>. The slot limit has been reduced to 42-48 inches, and a limit of two fish per vessel per day was added. Fishing for white sturgeon will also be closed seasonally upstream of the Highway 50 bridge on the Sacramento River and Interstate 5 bridge on the San Joaquin River from January 1 to May 31, 2024. This upstream area will re-open to fishing on June 1, 2024, once spawning season is over.</p> <p><a href="/Conservation/Fishes/Sturgeon/Report-Card">Sturgeon Report Cards</a> purchased in the 2023 calendar year remain valid for the remainder of 2023. All reporting, tag and report card requirements remain in effect. Only one sturgeon harvest tag will be valid. Any remaining sturgeon harvest tags beyond one still in possession for the 2023 calendar year will be invalid for the remainder of 2023. Anglers that have already harvested one or more fish in 2023 will still be allowed to catch and release sturgeon for the remainder of 2023 with a valid Sturgeon Report Card. The changes to sturgeon harvest regulations may cause a delay in availability of 2024 sturgeon report cards and the single harvest tag.</p> <p>Report cards for 2024 will be available for sale soon. Sturgeon Report Card requirements will remain in effect for 2024.</p> <p>CDFW is currently working on a white sturgeon regulation package to allow for limited harvest. The regulation package is scheduled to go through the Commission regulation setting process with a target effective date of January 2025.</p> <p>For more information visit <a href="/Conservation/Fishes/Sturgeon">CDFW’s sturgeon page</a>. Questions can be sent to <a href="mailto:sturgeon@wildlife.ca.gov">sturgeon@wildlife.ca.gov</a>.</p> <p><em>** News release updated Feb. 28, 2024, to reflect harvest permitted upstream of the Highway 50 bridge on the Sacramento River and Interstate 5 bridge on the San Joaquin River once those upstream portions re-open on June 1, 2024. **</em></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:steve.gonzalez@wildlife.ca.gov">Steve Gonzalez</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714</em></p> CDFW Offers Veteran-Specific Hunting and Fishing Resources and Reduced-Fee Hunting and Fishing Licenses to Disabled Veteranshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-offers-veteran-specific-hunting-and-fishing-resources-and-reduced-fee-hunting-and-fishing-licenses-to-disabled-veteransR3Fri, 11 Nov 2022 07:01:41 GMTCDFW thanks California veterans for their service to and sacrifice for our country.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) thanks California veterans for their service to and sacrifice for our country.</p> <p>Since the 1990s, CDFW has offered reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses to both resident and nonresident disabled veterans, as per Fish and Game Code, section 7150. Any honorable discharged, disabled veteran with a 50 percent or greater service-connected disability who wants to hunt birds or mammals or go fishing in California is eligible. The 2023 Disabled Veteran or Recovering Service Member Sport Fishing License and 2023 Disabled Veteran or Recovering Service Member Hunting License cost will be $9.46 when purchased at a CDFW license agent. To prequalify for a Disabled Veterans hunting or fishing license, customers must submit a letter from the Veteran’s Administration to a CDFW license sales office. Subsequent licenses may be purchased online or from a license sales agent.</p> <p>Throughout the year, many California based nonprofit organizations and groups offer special hunting and fishing opportunities for veterans. A list of organizations and groups offering programs can be found on the Recruit, Retain, Reactivate webpage (<a href="/R3">wildlife.ca.gov/R3</a>) under both the Hunting and Fishing tabs. Please note, these are not complete lists and specific opportunities are not endorsed by CDFW.</p> <p>For veterans located in the Stockton area, CDFW will be participating in the Assembly District 13 Veterans Stand Down event on November 22, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Martin Luther King Plaza in Stockton, California. CDFW staff will be on site to answer questions regarding the above mentioned reduced-fee licenses, job opportunities and additional questions related to hunting and angling. This event is open to the public and more information can be found here: <a href="https://a13.asmdc.org/event/20221122-2022-veterans-stand-down-event" target="_blank">https://a13.asmdc.org/event/20221122-2022-veterans-stand-down-event</a></p> <p>Additional information on reduced-fee fishing licenses can be found here: <a href="/Licensing/Fishing#44521417-free--reduced-fee">wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing#44521417-free--reduced-fee</a></p> <p>Additional information on reduced-fee hunting licenses can be found here: <a href="/Licensing/Hunting#994193-reduced-fee">wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Hunting#994193-reduced-fee</a></p> <p>Fishing and hunting regulations and more information about licenses are available on the CDFW website: <a href="/Regulations">wildlife.ca.gov/Regulations</a></p> <p>To learn more about becoming a hunter or angler, or additional resources regarding hunting and angling, visit our Recruit, Retain, Reactivate webpage at: <a href="/R3">wildlife.ca.gov/R3</a></p> <p><strong>Photo Credit: </strong><em>Brett / stock.adobe.com</em></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Taylor.Williams@wildlife.ca.gov">Taylor Williams</a>, CDFW R3 Manager, (916) 203-1362</em></p> Vamos a Pescar Grant Applications Now Availablehttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/vamos-a-pescar-grant-applications-now-availableR3Thu, 10 Nov 2022 17:19:38 GMTCDFW is now accepting applications for the Vamos A Pescar community grant program for fishing programs, classes and activities committed to educating and engaging diverse, multi-generational, bi/multi-lingual participants new to fishing, boating and aquatic stewardship in California.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now accepting applications for the Vamos A Pescar community grant program for fishing programs, classes and activities committed to educating and engaging diverse, multi-generational, bi/multi-lingual participants new to fishing, boating and aquatic stewardship in California. The Vamos A Pescar grant program is part of CDFW’s ongoing angler recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) efforts to decrease barriers to participation and increase   awareness and support for conservation activities across the state, like fishing.</p> <p>To apply for funding, programs must be:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Ethnically inclusive.</strong> Events must be open to families of all races and ethnicities with Spanish-English bilingual instruction, materials and outreach.</li> <li><strong>Family focused.</strong> Participation across multiple generations and genders.</li> <li><strong>Multiple opportunities.</strong> Focus should be placed on providing multiple fishing opportunities to the same audience.</li> <li><strong>Virtual learning compatible.</strong> Programs willing to use both in-person and virtual platforms.</li> <li><strong>Stewardship.</strong> Programs should promote good stewardship toward California’s aquatic resources and include information on angler funded conservation projects, like those paid for by the Sport Fish Restoration Act.</li> <li><strong>Measurable goals.</strong> Programs must include ways to measure goals and outcomes and incorporate lessons learned.</li> <li><strong>An official 501(c)(3) organization.</strong></li> </ul> <p>Vamos A Pescar is part of Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) Hispanic initiative which is supported by the <a href="https://www.takemefishing.org/educationfund/" target="_blank">George H. W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund</a>. To further the reach and facilitate partnerships at the local level, funds are provided for state agencies to match and sub-grant to local 501(c)(3) organizations. With the help of donations from companies and organizations, this fund has continued to grow and expand nationally to keep future generations educated about the joys of fishing and boating and the importance of conservation. CDFW utilizes funding from the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/program/sport-fish-restoration" target="_blank">Sport Fish Restoration Act</a> and their angler generated dollars to match RBFF’s contribution to California organizations chosen to carry out the mission and work of the Vamos A Pescar Grant Program.</p> <p>Interested organizations should review the <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=206212&inline" target="_blank">RBFF George H. W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Grant Guidelines (PDF)</a> and the <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=195666&inline" target="_blank">CDFW grant agreement template (PDF)</a> (left blank intentionally). To apply, organizations will need to complete the <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=206220&inline" target="_blank">CDFW grant application (PDF)</a> and the <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=206213">RBFF George H. W. Bush Vamos A Pescar application (PDF Form)</a> and send them via email to <a href="mailto:Taylor.Williams@wildlife.ca.gov">Taylor.Williams@wildlife.ca.gov</a> no later than 11:59 p.m. on December 11, 2022.</p> <p>California-based proposals will be ranked by CDFW and submitted to RBFF for national review by their advisory board. The advisory board will choose the final grant recipients by mid-January 2023 and CDFW will notify California recipients by the end of January or shortly after. Final decisions on the program are subject to the availability of state matching funds.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Taylor.Williams@wildlife.ca.gov">Taylor Williams</a>, CDFW R3 Manager, (916) 203-1362</em></p> Solicitudes de Subvenciones Vamos a Pescar Ahora Disponibleshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/solicitudes-de-subvenciones-vamos-a-pescar-ahora-disponiblesR3Thu, 10 Nov 2022 17:03:04 GMTEl Departamento de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de California (California Department of Fish and Wildlife, CDFW) se encuentra ya aceptando solicitudes para el programa de subvenciones comunitarias Vamos A Pescar para programas, clases y actividades de pesca comprometidos con la educación y la participación de participantes diversos, multigeneracionales, bi/multilingües que sean nuevos en la pesca, navegación y administración acuática en California.<p>El Departamento de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de California (California Department of Fish and Wildlife, CDFW) se encuentra ya aceptando solicitudes para el programa de subvenciones comunitarias Vamos A Pescar para programas, clases y actividades de pesca comprometidos con la educación y la participación de participantes diversos, multigeneracionales, bi/multilingües que sean nuevos en la pesca, navegación y administración acuática en California.  El programa de subvenciones Vamos A Pescar es parte de los esfuerzos continuos de reclutamiento, retención y reactivación de pescadores (R3) de CDFW para disminuir las barreras que pudieran estar impidiendo la participación y aumentar la conciencia y el apoyo para las actividades de conservación en todo el estado, como la pesca.</p> <p>Para solicitar financiación, los programas deben ser:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Étnicamente inclusivos.</strong> Los eventos deben estar abiertos a familias de todas las razas y etnias con instrucción, materiales y divulgación bilingüe español-inglés.</li> <li><strong>Centrados en la familia.</strong> Participación a través de diferentes generaciones y géneros.</li> <li><strong>Múltiples oportunidades.</strong> La atención debe centrarse en brindar múltiples oportunidades de pesca a la misma audiencia</li> <li><strong>Compatibles con el aprendizaje virtual.</strong> Programas dispuestos a utilizar tanto plataformas presenciales como virtuales.</li> <li><strong>Administración.</strong> Los programas deben promover una buena administración de los recursos acuáticos de California e incluir información sobre proyectos de conservación financiados por pescadores, como los que paga la Ley de restauración de pesca deportivas.</li> <li><strong>Metas medibles.</strong> Los programas deben incluir formas de medir las metas y los resultados e incorporar las lecciones aprendidas.</li> <li><strong>Una organización oficial 501(c)(3).</strong></li> </ul> <p>Vamos A Pescar es parte de la iniciativa hispana de la Fundación de Pesca y Navegación Recreativa (RBFF), que cuenta con el apoyo del <a href="https://www.takemefishing.org/educationfund/" target="_blank">Fondo de Educación Vamos a Pescar de George H. W. Bush</a>. Para ampliar el alcance y facilitar las asociaciones a nivel local, se proporcionan fondos para que las agencias estatales igualen y subvencionen a las organizaciones locales 501(c)(3). Con la ayuda de donaciones de empresas y organizaciones, este fondo continúa creciendo y expandiéndose a nivel nacional para mantener educadas a las generaciones futuras sobre los placeres de la pesca y la navegación y la importancia de la conservación. CDFW utiliza fondos de la <a href="https://www.fws.gov/program/sport-fish-restoration" target="_blank">Ley de restauración de la pesca deportiva</a> y el dinero generados por pescadores para igualar la contribución de RBFF a las organizaciones de California elegidas para llevar a cabo la misión y el trabajo del Programa de Subsidios Vamos A Pescar.</p> <p>Las organizaciones interesadas deben revisar las <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=206214&inline" target="_blank">pautas para la subvención de George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar de RBFF (PDF)</a> y <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=206215&inline" target="_blank">la plantilla del acuerdo de subvención de CDFW (PDF)</a> (dejado en blanco intencionalmente). Para presentar una solicitud, las organizaciones deberán completar la <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=206221&inline" target="_blank">solicitud de subvención de CDFW (PDF)</a> y la <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=206216&inline" target="_blank">solicitud de George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar de RBFF (PDF)</a> y enviarla por correo electrónico a <a href="mailto:Taylor.Williams@wildlife.ca.gov">Taylor.Williams@wildlife.ca.gov</a> a más tardar a las 11:59 p.m. del 11 de diciembre de 2022.</p> <p>Las propuestas basadas en California serán clasificadas por CDFW y enviadas a RBFF para su revisión nacional por parte de su junta asesora. La junta asesora elegirá a los beneficiarios finales de la subvención a mediados de enero de 2023 y CDFW notificará a los beneficiarios de California a fines de enero o poco después. Las decisiones finales sobre el programa se sujetan a la disponibilidad de fondos estatales equivalentes.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Contactos con los Medios:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:taylor.williams@wildlife.ca.gov">Taylor Williams</a>, Gerente de CDFW R3, (916) 203-1362</em></p> Klamath River Upstream of Interstate 5 Reopened to Adult Chinook Salmon Harvesthttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/klamath-river-upstream-of-interstate-5-reopened-to-adult-chinook-salmon-harvestSalmonTue, 08 Nov 2022 12:30:07 GMTCDFW has announced that recreational fishing for adult, fall-run Chinook salmon on the Klamath River has reopened between Interstate 5 near Hornbrook and 3,500-feet below the Iron Gate Fish Hatchery in Siskiyou County.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced that recreational fishing for adult, fall-run Chinook salmon on the Klamath River has reopened between Interstate 5 near Hornbrook and 3,500-feet below the Iron Gate Fish Hatchery in Siskiyou County.</p> <p>The Iron Gate Fish Hatchery has received more than 8,000 returning, fall-run Chinook salmon this month, which triggers the reopening of recreational fishing for adult Chinook salmon within the stretch of river per CDFW’s <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=202686&inline" target="_blank">2022-2023 California Supplemental Sport Fishing Regulations (PDF)</a>.</p> <p>Recreational anglers will be able to harvest two Chinook salmon, but no more than one adult greater than 23 inches per day in this reach. The possession limit is six Chinook salmon with no more than three adults. Reopening this stretch of the Klamath River is designed to allow anglers to catch surplus hatchery Chinook salmon now that the number of adults needed for spawning has been achieved at the hatchery.</p> <p>The only other sector of the Klamath-Trinity rivers that remain open for adult Chinook salmon harvest is the lower Trinity River from the Denny Road bridge at Hawkins Bar downstream to the confluence with the Klamath River. The take of jack Chinook salmon less than or equal to 23 inches is allowed in all areas of the Klamath Basin with the exception of the mouth of the Klamath River, which is closed for the remainder of the year. The daily bag limit for jack Chinook salmon in these areas is two fish per day and no more than six in possession.</p> <p>Anglers can monitor the quota status of open and closed sections of the Klamath and Trinity rivers by calling CDFW’s information hotline at (800) 564-6479.</p> <p>For more information regarding Klamath River fishing regulations, please consult CDFW’s 2022-2023 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations and the 2022-2023 California Supplemental Sport Fishing Regulations available at <a href="/Regulations">wildlife.ca.gov/regulations</a>.</p> <p><em><strong>CDFW file photo.</strong></em></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:dan.troxel@wildlife.ca.gov">Dan Troxel</a>, CDFW Klamath River Project, (707) 822-0330<br /> <a href="mailto:Peter.Tira@gmail.com">Peter Tira</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858</em></p>