CDFW News

California Fish and Game Commission Approves Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan, Quino Checkerspot Butterfly CESA Candidacy and Increase in Fishing Opportunities for Recreational Groundfish

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:27:11 GMT

California Fish and Game Commission Approves Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan, Quino Checkerspot Butterfly CESA Candidacy and Increase in Fishing Opportunities for Recreational Groundfish

The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) has approved the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan, a living document that aims to conserve western Joshua trees pressured by habitat loss and a warming climate.

Other matters acted on by the Commission at its August 13-14 meeting include designating Quino checkerspot butterfly as a candidate species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), and adopting emergency regulations to reopen recreational rockfish, cabezon, greenling and lingcod fisheries north of Point Conception.

Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan

The 2023 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act requires the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to develop the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan in collaboration with the Commission, other government agencies, California Native American tribes and the public.

The act also calls for CDFW to include tribal co-management principles, provide for the relocation of western Joshua trees to tribal lands upon request, and incorporate traditional ecological knowledge.

“The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act is the first state law for an iconic species that expressly directs CDFW to create a conservation plan that includes co-management with California Native American tribes,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “I appreciate this part of the act as being powerful — CDFW welcomes this.”

The final, approved plan will be available on the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan website in coming weeks. Information can be found online about recent revisions to Western Joshua Tree Relocation Guidelines and Protocols, as well as western Joshua tree conservation.

“The conservation plan is a living document, which was reaffirmed today with the most recent updates to the permitting and relocation guidelines,” said Commission President Erika Zavaleta. “Holistically, we have to keep improving the plan, use its flexibility to solve problems around competing interests and implement lessons as they arise, with the broad goal of conserving western Joshua tree while respecting and supporting the needs of our tribal partners and desert communities.”

Quino Checkerspot Butterfly

The Quino checkerspot butterfly was designated by the Commission as a candidate for CESA listing. The species now proceeds to the status review stage of the CESA process and is protected during that time.

Quino checkerspot butterflies have been extirpated from 75% of their historic range in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties due to threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, pollution, agriculture and climate change.

White Sturgeon

The Commission adopted amendments to regulations for the recreational take of CESA candidate white sturgeon, as well as changes to reporting requirements.

Catch-and-release fishing for white sturgeon will continue to be available for anglers as previously established by emergency regulations that were set to expire in September 2025. The adopted amendments also change the sturgeon fishing report card from a calendar-year-based season (January 1 through December 31) to align with the sturgeon fishing season that runs from Oct. 1 through June 30. Anglers will be able to get a sturgeon report card at no fee for the October 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, season to help accommodate this change. Sturgeon report cards will be $7.50 starting with the 2026-27 season.

When submitting the proposed new regulations to the Commission, CDFW Fisheries Branch Chief Jay Rowan stated, “The best available science suggests that non-lethal take via a catch-and-release fishery will not harm the long-term viability of white sturgeon in California.”

Recent results from white sturgeon monitoring surveys by CDFW suggest the white sturgeon population has continued to decline. Reasons for the population decline include mortality from harmful algal blooms and poor river and Delta conditions.

Groundfish

The Commission adopted emergency regulations to reopen recreational rockfish, cabezon, greenling and lingcod fisheries to all depths north of Point Conception through the end of the calendar year. These emergency regulations, which also include a new sub-bag limit for canary rockfish, are expected to take effect in the next few weeks. To learn more about the adopted regulations, review the detailed press release.

Market Squid

The Commission approved proposed amendments to the Market Squid Fishery Management Plan (MSFMP).

The MSFMP was originally drafted over the course of five years and published in March 2005. In 2023, CDFW initiated a review process for the market squid fishery and convened a Squid Fishery Advisory Committee. The committee was charged with reviewing the fishery and advising CDFW on potential changes to improve California market squid fishery management. Many of the recommended changes are now amendments to the original MSFMP.

In a separate action, the Commission adopted regulatory amendments for the commercial take of market squid that implement new provisions of the revised MSFMP.

Additional Marine Topics

The Commission adopted a 90-day extension of emergency regulations related to the commercial take of coonstripe shrimp.

The Commission adopted regulatory amendments for recreational crab fishing gear. This includes a new commercial passenger fishing vessel (CPFV) trap validation that originated from a public request that will no longer require CPFV customers to purchase individual trap validations when fishing from CPFVs. The amendments also update the surface gear requirements for hoop nets (used north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County) to minimize the risk of whale entanglements.

Meeting Participation and Next Meeting

Commission President Erika Zavaleta and commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin and Eric Sklar were in attendance for both days of the August Commission meeting held in Sacramento. Vice President Samantha Murray and Commissioner Darius Anderson were absent.

The complete agenda for the meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the Commission website. Archived video of past Commission meetings is available online. The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for October 8-9 in Sacramento. Participants are encouraged to attend in person, with options available for Zoom or phone; for the agenda and more information visit the Commission website.

The Commission authorized staff to notify the public of potential regulation changes related to:

Bull kelp harvest restrictions. A discussion and adoption hearing is scheduled for October 8-9 on temporary commercial bull kelp harvest restrictions along the north coast and closure of lease-only administrative kelp beds.

Recreational red abalone closure. A discussion hearing is scheduled for October 9-10 and an adoption hearing for December 11-12 on a 10-year extension of the red abalone recreational fishery closure.

Invasive mussels and green crab restricted species listing. An adoption hearing for a regular rulemaking is scheduled for October 8-9 to add the invasive, non-native golden mussel, pond mussel and axe-head mussel (among others), as well as green crab to the list of live animals restricted from importation, transportation and possession.

###

Media Contacts:
Jen Benedet, Office of Communications, Education and Outreach, (916) 202-4465 
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120 

CDFW Issues Permit to Advance Key Groundwater Quality Improvement Project in Yucca Valley

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:29:48 GMT

YUCCA VALLEY – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is engaged on a project to allow a key groundwater quality project to proceed in the town of Yucca Valley, in San Bernardino County. The project, to decommission thousands of septic tanks in the community and replace them with a sewer system, is designed to improve and safeguard water quality for the local residents and surrounding desert habitats.

The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act requires that any project that may impact or remove western Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) must be approved by CDFW through an incidental take permit. This permit, issued to Hi-Desert Water District and includes the region’s participating homeowners, covers potential impacts to western Joshua trees during the scope of the sewer upgrade construction project.

The project stems directly from a California Regional Water Quality Control Board Colorado River Basin Region Order (Order), which prohibits the continued use of septic tanks in Yucca Valley due to ongoing threats to groundwater quality. The Yucca Valley region is entirely dependent on groundwater for drinking water.

“In a low-cost and efficient way, this partnership between CDFW and Hi-Desert Water District will help hundreds of local residents decommission their septic tanks and secure a new sewer system,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “We're meeting the state’s goals on protecting our precious water supplies and helping families connect to a brand-new sewer line, all while minimizing harm to California’s iconic Joshua trees.”

"This project represents a significant step forward for Yucca Valley—not only in protecting our groundwater, but in showing how strong partnerships can deliver for our community,” said Tony Culver, General Manager of Hi-Desert Water District. “Our collaboration with CDFW’s staff has been essential to navigating the conservation requirements while keeping the project on track and affordable for local residents.”

In order to provide financial support to homeowners in the under-resourced community of Yucca Valley, CDFW worked collaboratively with Hi-Desert Water District to help maximize available funds from the district while finding a creative way to cover mitigation fees homeowners may incur through this project. Under the permit, Hi-Desert Water District and the homeowners participating in the project are required to avoid and minimize harm to western Joshua trees whenever possible.

For more information on the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, visit CDFW’s website.

###

Media Contacts:
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714
Heidi Calvert, CDFW Regional Manager,

Line Up Some Summer Fun on Free Fishing Days

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 09:56:43 GMT

Summer is in full swing and that means pool parties, barbecues, camping trips and Free Fishing Days!

This year you can catch an opportunity to fish throughout California without a fishing license on two Free Fishing Days — Saturday, July 5, and Saturday, Aug. 30 — and you might also catch a rainbow trout, largemouth bass or Kokanee salmon. It’s a great excuse to relax next to a beautiful lake or river and enjoy the great outdoors, and you might go home with tasty fish to throw on the grill.

For those new to fishing, this is a chance to explore a rewarding and exciting new hobby. For licensed anglers, this is a chance to introduce or reintroduce someone else to the joys of becoming an angler. Free fishing days are also a perfect time for former anglers to return and reconnect to the activity.

Children 15 and younger can fish for free every day of the year in California, but Free Fishing Days offer a time when families and friends can experience the hobby together.

Those interested in fishing California’s lakes, streams and rivers can find information aboutinland fishing locations and species on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website. Information is also available about year-round free fishing opportunities found on specific piers, jetties and breakwaters along the coast. Other helpful tools for anglers include the fish planting schedule, fishing guide and Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) Program resources.

A variety of offerings are also available from CDFW’s Fishing in the City program, which focuses on teaching Californians how and where to fish in metropolitan areas. General information about the Fishing in the City program can be found on the CDFW website.

Dozens of bodies of water across the Golden State await anglers with catchable-size trout recently stocked by CDFW hatcheries staff.

Some of those waters include Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino County, Stoney Creek in Tulare County, Shaver Lake in Fresno County, Silver Lake in Amador County, Lake Almanor in Plumas County and Burney Creek in Shasta County.

All fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect. CDFW encourages potential anglers to check rules and regulations for each water they plan to fish.

For new anglers who get “hooked” on fishing, be sure to purchase an annual sport fishing license. Revenue generated from license sales helps conserve fish populations and habitats while supporting California's longstanding angling opportunities for future generations. Annual sport fishing licenses are now valid for a full 365-days from purchase. More information on licenses, validations and fees can be found on CDFW’s sport fishing licenses web page.

###

Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Taylor Williams, CDFW R3 Initiative, (916) 203-1362

California Fish and Game Commission: Joshua Tree Conservation Plan Review Bumped to August; Butte County’s Tufaro Named Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 14:25:09 GMT

Commissioners request public comment on draft plan for Joshua tree conservation by July 10

Last week the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) continued its decision on the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan to its August meeting to allow more time for public and stakeholder review of recent revisions to the draft plan. The June 11-12 meeting of the Commission also brought Butte County Deputy District Attorney Michael Tufaro to Sacramento to be recognized as 2024 Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year.

Based on input received during the last two Commission meetings from California tribes, the public and stakeholders, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) incorporated additional revisions to the draft Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan. The latest updates to the draft plan include guidance on assisted migration, removal of specific Joshua tree avoidance distances to reflect flexibility for different types of construction or development projects, updated Joshua tree relocation protocols and the addition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s future suitable habitat climate model data and maps.

For a summary of all changes to the draft Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan, go to the meeting materials for the June Commission Meeting. The revised draft of the plan can be found on the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan web page.

The Commission has requested that anyone planning to submit additional comments, do so no later than July 10 to allow adequate time for consideration ahead of discussion and potential plan approval at the August meeting.

Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year

A highlight of the Commission’s June meeting, Butte County Deputy District Attorney Michael Tufaro was honored as 2024 Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year.

“All of the great work our officers do is complemented by our champions at the various district and city attorney’s offices throughout the state,” said CDFW’s Law Enforcement Division Deputy Chief Erica Manes. “Deputy District Attorney Tufaro is more than a prosecutor — he is a true steward of California’s natural heritage. His integrity, leadership and passion for justice make him a standout in our field.”

Tufaro has prosecuted numerous high-impact cases involving wildlife offenders, including one case where a subject poached more than 40 deer, committed a variety of other natural resource crimes and was also found to be in possession of dynamite. Another case saw the conviction of a man who used his fishing boat to drown a buck deer on the Feather River; the man’s boat was forfeited as part of his sentence.

“When we don’t take care of the environment and we allow people to abuse it, it’s not just an individual victim, it’s everybody in California, but not just everybody — it’s the next generation and so on,” Tufaro told commissioners. “That’s why I’m always so honored to be part of any work that California Department of Fish and Wildlife game wardens do because what they are doing is so incredibly meaningful.”

Naming Protected Areas Policy

The Commission approved amendments to its Naming Protected Areas Policy. The policy sets protocol for naming of protected areas — wildlife areas, ecological reserves and marine protected areas.

Additional amendments to the policy call for protected areas to be named in a manner that indicates geographical location and for the Commission to invite tribes with ancestral ties to the protected areas to identify traditional or contemporary tribal names that could be used in combination with names originating from geographical location. Also, no new or renamed protected areas shall be named for any person, living or dead.

Commission President Erika Zavaleta, Vice President Samantha Murray and commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin, Eric Sklar and Darius Anderson were in attendance for both days of the June Commission meeting.

The complete agenda for the meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the Commission website. Archived video of past Commission meetings is available online. The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Aug. 13-14 at the California Natural Resources Building, second floor, 715 P St., Sacramento. Participants can attend in person with options for Zoom or by phone; for the agenda and more information visit the Commission website.

Potential regulation changes

Striped bass size limit: The Commission approved notifying the public regarding proposed regulation changes to recreational striped bass harvest size limits. The changes are scheduled for discussion at the August Commission meeting and potential adoption at the Commission’s Oct. 8-9 meeting in Sacramento.

Morro manzanita take: The Commission approved notifying the public of a proposed regulation that would authorize the take of Morro manzanita while a candidate species under the California Endangered Species Act. The proposed regulation provides an exemption from the take prohibition solely for a bridge replacement project in San Luis Obispo County so that the bridge meets seismic design and safety standards. Measures laid out in a habitat mitigation and monitoring plan would compensate for impacts to Morro manzanita. The regulation changes are scheduled for discussion at the August Commission meeting and potential adoption at the Commission’s Oct. 8-9 meeting.

###

Media Contacts: 
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Katie Talbot, CDFW Communications, (916) 204-1381

CDFW Launching Pilot Effort to Reduce Gray Wolf Attacks on Livestock

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 13:31:46 GMT

Working with local agencies, law enforcement and agricultural partners, the department will implement the effort in Sierra, Plumas and Siskiyou counties

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced today that it is launching a summer strike team in partnership with federal and local agencies to combat livestock depredations by gray wolves in Siskiyou County and the Sierra Valley (spanning both Sierra and Plumas counties). With landowner permission, the task force will provide round-the-clock CDFW staff support seven days a week for livestock producers experiencing frequent conflicts with wolves, among other program benefits.

“Today’s announcement showcases the power of collaboration in effectively and safely managing California’s growing gray wolf population,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “This strike force allows CDFW to work more closely with our key partners and impacted ranchers and provide new tools to protect cattle and other livestock from harm. Together, we are doing everything we can to keep both livestock and wolves safe. Thank you to our partners in this effort for making this strike team possible.”

Recent depredation of livestock in the Sierra Valley and Siskiyou County signals the need for additional and increased support for livestock producers during the summer and fall of 2025. Interested producers are encouraged to participate in the program. The summer strike team will take a multifaceted approach to combat livestock depredations, including through:

In-person, on-the-ground support from CDFW staff. Working both day and night seven days a week, CDFW staff will be available to support ranchers facing livestock depredations. The strike team will use a combination of radio telemetry and real-time information from local ranchers to locate wolves (collared and uncollared) to proactively push them away from livestock.
Developing conflict risk management plans for participating ranchers. Livestock producers who volunteer to participate in the program and take any necessary training will have a plan tailored to their unique property and livestock needs to help mitigate future conflict through nonlethal methods. These plans may include a variety of tools, including livestock management, additional barriers, predator aversion devices or injurious harassment
Outreach, education and training. In partnership with experts in livestock production and management like the University of California Cooperative Extension, training and outreach events will be held in Sierra Valley to help provide producers techniques and strategies ranchers can take to reduce wolf-livestock conflicts through nonlethal practices.

CDFW is also working in conjunction with Sierra and Plumas counties to create a county agricultural protection position that will support depredation investigations and capture and collar methods, as well as develop carcass removal programs to mitigate wolf attraction to ranch properties.

The task force will be led by CDFW’s law enforcement and scientific staff and will increase CDFW presence in communities to effectively implement these measures. The program begins today (Monday, June 9) and is anticipated to run through the summer.

“This program is still in its early stages, so there will be a need to learn by doing together. More details will be shared as it progresses. But this is a good start, and I appreciate that,” said Plumas County Supervisor Dwight Ceresola.

Sierra Valley, which spans both Plumas and Sierra counties, has had higher-than-normal levels of livestock depredations by gray wolves in the Beyem Seyo pack over the past year. As ranchers move their cattle to the valley floor for summer grazing, additional support from this pilot program will be needed to protect livestock from wolves.

“I am thankful the state and county can do something together. We are hopeful that this additional presence will reduce the immediate losses and provide CDFW with a clear understanding of the day-to-day challenges ranchers have faced for months,” said Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen.

Siskiyou County also has a higher level of livestock depredations compared to other counties, in relation to the Whaleback pack in particular. The county has made significant efforts in slowing depredations and working collaboratively with CDFW staff, including the hiring of a county wolf liaison, but the need for additional support remains. As part of this task force, CDFW will be providing enhanced information on wolf data to Siskiyou County staff, and Siskiyou will assist the department in investigating and collecting additional data.

"This pilot effort in all three counties is made possible through sustained coordination between county supervisors, county sheriffs, local ranchers and state and federal agencies. Importantly, it also reflects the growing calls from local sheriffs calling for CDFW to step up and help,” said Director Bonham. “I thank Sheriffs Mike Fisher, Todd Johns and Jeremiah LaRue for their help to get going on our efforts this summer. I also thank all the Northern California sheriffs and county supervisors who have been key voices for their communities.”

If you are a livestock producer in Plumas, Sierra or Siskiyou counties and are interested in learning more about the program or how to participate, please contact:

Morgan Kilgour, Region 2 Manager, CDFW — Morgan.Kilgour@wildlife.ca.gov
Tracy Schohr, UC Cooperative Extension Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor — tkschohr@ucanr.edu/916-716-2643
Paul Roen, Sierra County Supervisor — supervisor3@sierracounty.ca.gov
Dwight Ceresola, Plumas County Supervisor — ceresolasuper1@yahoo.com
Patrick Griffin, Siskiyou County Wolf Liaison — 530-598-6950

###

Media Contact:
Katie Talbot, CDFW Communications, Kaitlin.talbot@wildlife.ca.gov