CDFW News

Hunter Input Sought on Yolo Bypass and Grizzly Island Hunting Programs

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:11:28 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will hold an online outreach meeting Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. to hear comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding Yolo Bypass and Grizzly Island wildlife area hunting opportunities.

During this meeting CDFW staff will also discuss completed and ongoing habitat enhancement/restoration projects, habitat conditions for the 2026-27 waterfowl season, hunting opportunity highlights and changes, updates on local waterfowl and pheasant production, and fall flood-up predictions, including anticipated hunter quotas for opening day of waterfowl season.

Interested participants can email GrizzlyIsland@wildlife.ca.gov to receive a link to the Microsoft Teams virtual meeting and instructions for submitting comments and questions.

CDFW annually offers opportunities through public meetings and outreach for licensed hunters to comment on hunting programs and provides anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas. A wildlife area designated as Type A is a wildlife area with restricted hunter access during waterfowl season.

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Media Contacts:
Garrett Spaan, CDFW Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, (530) 757-2461
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

CDFW to Hold Public Outreach Meeting About Northern San Joaquin Valley Wildlife Area Hunting Opportunities

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:18:24 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Central Region, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), will hold an online outreach meeting to hear comments and recommendations regarding northern San Joaquin Valley wildlife area hunting opportunities. The meeting will include updates on habitat conditions and the availability of water for wetlands.

State lands to be discussed are the Mendota, Los Banos, Volta and North Grasslands wildlife areas, including the Salt Slough, China Island, Gadwall, Widell/Ramaciotti and Mud Slough units. Federal refuge personnel will also be available to speak about the Kern and Merced national wildlife refuges, including the Lone Tree Unit, as well as the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge’s, Kesterson, Blue Goose, Frietas and East and West Bear Creek units.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, from 4-6 p.m. using Microsoft Teams. Email Lara Sparks at Lara.Sparks@Wildlife.ca.gov for a link to attend and instructions on how to submit comments and questions.

CDFW annually offers opportunity through public meetings and outreach for licensed hunters to comment on hunting programs and provides anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas.

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Media Contacts:
Lara Sparks, CDFW Los Banos Wildlife Area, (209) 826-0463
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

End-of-Season Deer Hunts Coming to Los Banos, North Grasslands Wildlife Areas

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:08:28 GMT

Hunters must apply by Aug. 3 for one of 11 available access permits

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now accepting applications for a limited number of deer hunting access permits at the Los Banos and North Grasslands wildlife areas for the last week of A Zone deer season, September 16 through September 20.

An access permit issued by CDFW is required and only 11 permits (five on Los Banos, three on Salt Slough and three on China Island) will be given to successful applicants. The number of access permits is limited to support healthy deer populations on the wildlife areas.

Hunters can find the application online (PDF) or request an application by calling the CDFW Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Applications may be submitted via e-mail to LosBanosWA@wildlife.ca.gov or mailed to CDFW’s Los Banos office at 18110 W. Henry Miller Ave., Los Banos, CA 93635. Possession of a valid 2026 A Zone deer tag at the time of application is not necessary.

The application process for these deer hunts takes place outside of CDFW’s Automated License Data System. Only official applications will be accepted and must be received before 4 p.m. August 3, 2026. Reservations will be selected by a computerized drawing at 11 a.m. August 4, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by mail within five working days of the drawing. Results will not be given over the phone.

Each applicant may only apply for one area and must include all required information on the application. If an individual’s name and GOID# appear in the drawing on any other applications, that individual will be disqualified from all drawings. Junior hunting license holders 12 and older may apply if accompanied by an adult 18 or older.

Successful applicants will be allowed access to the area they were drawn for and must have a valid hunting license, A Zone deer tag and follow all hunting regulations. Hunters must also adhere to wildlife area specific regulations regarding parking in designated parking lots, no stopping along roadways and no access other than walking or using non-motorized bicycles. Only legal bucks may be taken. Each hunter is allowed to bring one non-hunting guest. The areas will be closed to all other visitors throughout the week.

Hunters may only use a shotgun with nontoxic slugs as their authorized method of take. All deer harvested must also be validated by wildlife area staff. Biological samples will be taken. CDFW staff is collecting biological samples to test for Chronic Wasting Disease, among other conditions. CDFW is testing for and monitoring the disease to protect California’s elk and deer populations as well as hunting opportunities.

For participants new to hunting or looking to try a different style of hunting, visit CDFW’s Hunter Education and R3 (Recruit. Retain. Reactivate.) web pages for more resources and helpful information.

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Media Contacts
Lara Sparks, CDFW Los Banos Wildlife Area, (209) 826-0463
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

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

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:47:05 GMT

To celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (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.

While no sport fishing license is required, all fishing regulations — including bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures — still apply. CDFW encourages potential anglers to check rules and regulations for each water they plan to fish. The second of the two California Free Fishing Days for 2026 lands on Sept. 5. For more information, visit CDFW’s Free Fishing Days web page.

For those new to fishing, this is a chance to experience 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 sport.

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 about inland fishing locations and species on the 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 throughout the year 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 the Santa Ana River in San Bernardino County, June Lake in Mono County, Kings River in Fresno County, Pinecrest Lake in Tuolumne County, Kangaroo Lake in Siskiyou County and the Sacramento River in Shasta County. CDFW’s online Fish Planting Schedule shows dates and locations of fish plants.

New anglers interested in continuing to pursue the hobby can purchase an annual sport fishing license online. 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.

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

CDFW Taking Applications for Opening Weekend Deer and Pig Hunting Access Permits for Cottonwood Creek, San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Areas

Wed, 13 May 2026 15:16:14 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now accepting applications for a limited number of deer and wild pig hunting access permits for general season opening weekend, Aug. 8 and 9, 2026, in Merced County (Zone A). This is not a special hunt; the drawing is to control the number of hunters in these areas on opening weekend only.

Locations include Upper and Lower Cottonwood Creek and the San Luis Reservoir wildlife areas. Reservations are required for access to wildlife areas and only 30 permits will be issued for each day (Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9). Hunters can access the application online through the Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area or San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Area web pages or request an application by calling the CDFW Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Applications may be submitted via email to LosBanosWA@wildlife.ca.gov or mailed to CDFW’s Los Banos office at 18110 W. Henry Miller Ave., Los Banos, CA 93635.

Only official applications will be accepted and must be received before 4 p.m. July 6, 2026. Reservations will be selected by a computerized drawing at 11 a.m. July 9, 2026. The drawing is open to the public. Successful applicants will be notified by mail within five working days of the drawing. Results will not be given over the phone.

Applicants must have a 2026-27 hunting license. If drawn, hunters may take both deer and pig; it is the responsibility of the hunter to have the appropriate deer tag or wild pig validation.

Up to three people may apply as one party by including all the required information on the 2026 Zone A application form. Junior license holders aged 12 and older may also apply if accompanied by an adult hunter.

Applicants may apply for a one-day hunt, in one area only. A hunter’s name may appear in the drawing only once. If a hunter’s name and GO ID# appears on any other applications, they will be disqualified from all drawings.

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Media Contacts:
Lara Sparks, CDFW Los Banos Wildlife Area, (209) 826-0463
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120