CDFW News

Get Hooked: Trout Season 2026 Is About To Begin

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:56:38 GMT

Fishing enthusiasts across the region are gearing up for one of California’s most anticipated outdoor traditions of the year, the opening of the 2026 statewide general trout season. This year’s opener falls on Saturday, April 25, marking the last Saturday in April a date circled on the calendar by anglers of all ages and experience. Each year, the trout season opener reels in thousands of people to pristine trout fishing destinations such as Burney, Bishop, Mammoth Lakes and many other beautiful mountain communities across the state.

The season officially kicks off one hour before sunrise, giving early risers the chance to cast their lines in the quiet, pre-dawn hour when trout are most active. Families, friends, anglers seasoned and new, are highly encouraged to take part in this time-honored event that signals the arrival of spring and the return of exciting outdoor recreation.

“Opening day is more than just the start of trout season, it’s a tradition that brings communities together,” said Nick Buckmaster, CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist. “The early season warm up has resulted in more lakes than normal being open for this year's trout opener and there's plenty of fish to be caught! All lakes up to 10,000 feet are ice free, leaving anglers with more options on where to cast their lines. We’re excited to welcome anglers of all ages to enjoy the outdoors responsibly and make lasting memories on the water.”

Most lakes, rivers and streams have a limit of five trout per day and a 10 trout possession limit. Regulations differ on season opening and closing dates, bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits and gear restrictions. Anglers are strongly advised to check specific area regulations and opening dates in the 2026 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (PDF) available online. All anglers 16 and older must possess a valid California sport fishing license to fish within state boundaries, which can be purchased at CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website, through a licensed sales agent or through the CDFW License App.

CDFW is also making it easier than ever to find the perfect spot to cast your line. The California Inland Recreational Angler Survey’s (CIRAS) ;helps anglers plan their next fishing trip driven by data submitted by fellow anglers. Data submitted by anglers can include the species of fish caught, catch size and overall angling experience from a single fishing trip that in turn is used by other anglers. CDFW encourages anglers to use CIRAS to optimize their fishing experience as well as contribute data after they complete a fishing trip. CDFW uses fishing survey data submitted by anglers to inform management actions to protect fisheries and improve angling opportunities. CDFW's online, interactive Fishing Guide also provides information about trout plants, boating locations, regulations, license sales agents and more.

For anglers interested in learning more about wild trout and where to find them in their specific region, the Heritage and Wild Trout Program has resources explaining wild trout management and maps of Designated Wild and Heritage Trout Waters to help find these special fish. For anglers that feel up to a challenge, CDFW offers the Heritage Trout Challenge, which requires anglers to catch six different forms of California native trout from their historic drainages!

CDFW’s Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) initiative has resources available for seasoned anglers and beginners alike. Find introductory videos, techniques and other helpful resources on the R3 Webpage.

While this weekend kicks off the official opening of trout season, there are exceptions that should be noted below:

Statewide General Trout Opener: April 25, 2026 Many Sierra waters open for trout fishing on Saturday, April 25, marking the start of expanded bait and barbed-hook opportunities across much of the region. This is the traditional kick-off to some of the most exciting trout fishing of the year.

Important Regional Exceptions — Mark Your Calendars Some waters follow different season structures than the general opener. You can find more information on what lakes you can take advantage of on opening day, when additional lakes are open to fishing and what regulations you need to be aware of on each lake on pages 56 through 71 of 2026 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations.

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Media Contacts:
Nick Buckmaster, (760) 920-8391
Cort Klopping, (916) 201-2958

State's Salmon Strategy Moves Forward with $10 Million for Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Restoration Projects, New 2026 Funding Opportunity

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:36:24 GMT

As part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s comprehensive strategy to restore and rebuild California’s salmon population, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has selected 16 projects to receive funding for the restoration, enhancement and protection of salmon and steelhead (anadromous salmonid) habitat in California watersheds. The total funding for these projects amounts to more than $10 million in grant awards.

Projects were awarded through CDFW’s Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP). This program was first established in 1981 and since 2000, has included funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, established by Congress to reverse the declines of Pacific salmon and steelhead throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. These awards also include funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act to help support the recovery, conservation and resilience of Pacific salmon and steelhead.

These projects will conserve and recover California’s salmon, furthering the objectives laid out in the California Salmon Strategy for Hotter, Drier Future (PDF). The actions outlined in the report lay the groundwork for California to restore and rebuild salmon populations, improve salmon habitat and utilize the best available science and management practices to prepare for the future.

“These investments are another step forward to help California salmon,” said Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “The projects we’re funding will improve the health of creeks and rivers across the state, which will help salmon survive through climate change and benefit all who depend on health salmon fisheries. I’m proud of this progress, with much more work ahead.”

Examples of projects awarded under FRGP this year include removing three coastal stream fish passage barriers that will open over 7 miles of previously inaccessible river habitat in direct support of the Salmon Strategy. Additionally, FRGP continues support for popular annual Salmonid Restoration Conferences in 2027 and 2028 to offer technical education workshops and teach habitat restoration techniques to landowners, scientists, students and tribal members to contribute to protection and restoration of the salmon and steelhead population.

Among these 16 projects, the South Yuba River Citizens League was awarded $1,817,011 for the Upper Long Bar Salmonid Rearing Habitat Restoration Project. The project will restore eight acres on the Yuba River to improve juvenile rearing habitat to support diverse life histories, increased growth and survival of spring- and fall-run Chinook salmon and California Central Valley steelhead.

Trout Unlimited was awarded $717,463 for the Chamberlain Creek Instream Habitat Enhancement Project that will increase stream complexity and pool frequency and depth to improve rearing habitat for Coho salmon and steelhead trout. These stream features will be achieved through the installation of 114 large wood structures on the project’s 2.56-mile reach on Chamberlain Creek.

“We are thrilled to be able to partner with the staff at Jackson Demonstration State Forest on this important salmon restoration effort in Chamberlain Creek,” said Trout Unlimited North Coast Coho Project Manager Nicole Herrera. “This project on the Big River watershed will implement a recovery action identified by NOAA and CDFW in the Salmonid Habitat Restoration Priorities Action Plan.”

“These projects are implementing Salmon Strategy actions in real time. From restoring thousands of acres of habitat to improving migration pathways, advancing science-based flow management and using cutting-edge technology, actions taken from the Salmon Strategy work,” said CDFW Acting Director Valerie Termini. “We continue to see salmon and steelhead return to many California rivers and streams where they have not been seen in decades.”

In response to the 2025 FRGP solicitation, CDFW received 53 proposals requesting more than $49 million in funding. The proposals underwent a thorough technical review involving subject matter experts from CDFW and NOAA. For additional information and a complete list of all FRGP-awarded projects, visit FRGP's funded project summaries page.

The FRGP is now accepting concept proposals for the 2026 grant solicitation. Proposals will be accepted no later than March 2, 2026, through the CDFW WebGrants Portal.

CDFW will hold an online public workshop on February 4, 2026, to provide an overview of the solicitation. Workshop attendance is not a requirement for submitting a proposal. Visit the FRGP solicitation page for guidelines and workshop information, or contact FRGP@wildlife.ca.gov with any questions.

Highlighted Project Summaries

Bouverie Dam Removal for Fish Passage
($367,249 to All Hands Ecology)

Bouverie Dam is the final man-made barrier to unimpeded fish passage on Stuart Creek, a major tributary to Sonoma Creek. The dam removal restores access to pristine high quality rearing habitat and cool climate refugia for juvenile salmonids.

Watershed Stewards Program Statewide Monitoring and Enhancement
($731,689 to California Conservation Corps Watershed Stewards Program in partnership with AmeriCorps)

The California Conservation Corps Watershed Stewards Program (WSP) in partnership with AmeriCorps will engage 44 WSP Corpsmembers across California to monitor and enhance anadromous watersheds through fisheries/habitat surveys, riparian restoration, community education/engagement and by providing participants with insight into the environmental science field.

2025 Mainstem Buckeye Creek Instream Enhancement Project
($131,216 to The Conservation Fund)

This project restores salmonid habitat by placing 55 pieces of large wood at 21 structure sites to increase stream complexity, high flow refugia, pool frequency, and rearing habitat for salmonids.

Upper Klamath River Design and Planning Project - Beaver Creek
($739,196 to Mid Klamath Watershed Council)

This project will develop a 100% level fisheries restoration design on 7 miles of Beaver Creek. The project area has approximately 50 acres of low-lying floodplain that is disconnected due to channel constraint. The design would improve conditions for spawning and rearing fish by connecting floodplains and improving habitat structures.

Lower South Fork Cottaneva Instream Habitat Improvement Project
($394,154 to Eel River Watershed Improvement Group)

Goals of this project are to improve habitat complexity with the construction of 38 large wood structures along 1.2 miles of South Fork Cottaneva Creek, Rockport Creek, and an unnamed tributary to Rockport Creek. This will increase pool and flatwater shelter and capture woody debris and sediment.

Cachagua Creek Fish Passage Alternative Plan/Design Project - Quevedo
($184,774 to Trout Unlimited)

This project will provide a design plan to remediate an existing migration barrier in this important tributary to the Carmel River. The current ford is a partial migration barrier for all life stages of steelhead. The removal and replacement with a free span bridge will improve migration conditions in this reach of Cachagua Creek.

Bridge Creek - California Conservation Corps Large Wood Coho Habitat Enhancement Project
($424,247 to California Conservation Corps - Ukiah)

The project will improve salmonid habitat in Bridge Creek through the introduction of large wood features. Large wood features will be constructed by California Conservation Corps hand crews without the use of heavy machinery.

Hydrology to Habitat: Critical Steelhead Restoration Assessments in San Luis Obispo Creek Watershed
($582,511 to Creek Lands Conservation)

The project will collect data and conduct landowner outreach required to identify and advance transformative steelhead habitat restoration projects on San Lois Obispo Creek and its major tributaries, including fish passage improvements, steelhead rearing habitat enhancement, estuary restoration and streamflow enhancement. Data will include barrier assessments, engineering barrier analysis, ecologically critical streamflow monitoring, water quality and steelhead mark and recapture.

2027 and 2028 Salmonid Restoration Conferences
($191,988 to Salmonid Restoration Federation)

The 2027 and 2028 Salmonid Restoration Conferences will offer technical education workshops and teach habitat restoration techniques to practitioners, landowners, agency personnel, scientists, students, tribal members and consultants to contribute to protection and restoration of anadromous salmonids. Each conference includes intensive workshops, field tours, 9-12 concurrent sessions and keynotes to recovery strategies in state and federal salmonid recovery plans.

Upper South Fork Eel River Instream Habitat Improvement Project
($854,222 to Eel River Watershed Improvement Group)

This habitat improvement project will improve ecological complexity along 3.5 miles of the South Fork Eel River by installing 41 large wood structures composed of 166 logs and 202 boulders, which will help create a natural habitat setting.

Arroyo Seco River Fish Passage Project - Sycamore Flats
($1,288,949 to Trout Unlimited, Inc.)

The project will remove an existing concrete vehicle ford which spans the Arroyo Seco River. The completed project will eliminate a priority migration barrier and improve conditions for federally threatened South Central Coast steelhead trout on the Arroyo Seco River in Monterey County.

Lower San Luis Obispo Creek Floodplain Preserve Steelhead Habitat Enhancement Project
($267,872 to The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County)

The project will prepare 100% of engineering designs and submit all necessary permit applications to restore more natural conditions along the lower mainstem of San Luis Obispo Creek on The Land Conservancy's Lower San Luis Obispo Creek Floodplain Preserve Properties. These habitat enhancements will increase the amount and quality of steelhead juvenile rearing habitat, fry rearing habitat and winter refuge habitat to support the steelhead population within the San Luis Obispo Creek watershed.

Green Valley Creek Off-Channel Habitat Enhancement at Sweetwater Nursery
($829,943 to Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District)

The project will connect an existing floodplain pond to Green Valley Creek via an excavated connector channel to allow free access to off-channel winter habitat for juvenile salmonids. The off-channel pond will provide high-quality wetland habitat throughout the majority of winter and spring that will be used by out-migrating salmon to forage and rear. The project will also see habitat improvements as a result of the installation of engineered log jams to drive pool development and provide woody cover.

Elk Creek Fish Passage and Sediment Reduction Project
($521,718 to Smith River Alliance)

The project will restore fish passage and migration access to spawning and rearing Coho salmon by replacing an existing undersized culvert with an 8-foot-diameter culvert with a natural channel bottom. The culvert upgrade is one part of a larger project that will restore fish passage at six barriers in the headwaters of Elk Creek. Riparian plants will be installed in areas impacted by construction and currently lacking riparian cover.

The awarded projects advance the objectives of state and federal fisheries recovery plans that focus on removing barriers to fish migration, restoring riparian habitat, recovering wildfire impacts detrimental to rivers and creating a more resilient and sustainably managed water resources system (e.g., water supply, water quality and habitat) that can better withstand drought conditions. These projects further the goals of the California Water Resilience Portfolio, State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) page, California’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future and fulfillment of CDFW’s mission (PDF).

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Media Contacts:
Matt Wells, Watershed Restoration Grants Branch, (916) 216-7848
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

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.

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

Power Outage Causes Failure at Eastern Sierra Hatchery

Tue, 27 May 2025 11:25:28 GMT

BIG PINE – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced that a sustained power outage has led to the widespread loss of fish at the Fish Springs Trout Hatchery.

The power outage, which was outside CDFW’s control, occurred in the afternoon of Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in the Owens Valley, and lasted more than two hours. Fish Springs Trout Hatchery, powered by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, has backup diesel motors which can supply continued water pumping during power outage events. During the power outage on Tuesday, the backup diesel motors were non-operational due to a software issue. A contractor had been previously scheduled to come to the hatchery on Thursday, May 22 to diagnose the software issue, assess the motors, and help CDFW resolve the problem.

“We’re devastated by the loss of these fish, which were the product of years of hard work and round-the-clock care by our expert hatchery staff.” said Russell Black, Inland Deserts Environmental Program Manager at CDFW. “As the backup diesel motors are being assessed and repaired, we are also working to secure eggs and fish from other CDFW hatcheries to rebuild some of these lost stocks. CDFW is dedicated to ensuring continued and successful fish planting in Inyo and Mono counties for the benefit of the Eastern Sierra.”

Power outages are not uncommon at CDFW hatcheries. All hatcheries are equipped with backup generator equipment to ensure continued operations. Significant multi-day power outages due to wildfires at Fillmore Fish Hatchery, Crystal Lake Hatchery, Feather River Hatchery, and Warm Springs Fish Hatchery occurred last year during which backup generator systems performed as needed to maintain fish health and operations.

Backup power failures at CDFW hatcheries are rare. During hatchery power outages, water levels drop, flows stop, dissolved oxygen levels decrease, and temperatures rise quickly, leading to untenable conditions for both eggs and fish.

The Fish Springs Trout Hatchery, founded in 1952, raises rainbow trout, brown trout, and Lahontan cutthroat trout for recreational opportunities in Mono and Inyo County waters. CDFW staff are still assessing the totality of loss but estimate that between 75-80% of the fish stock was lost, including eggs and fingerlings for next year, and catchable fish for this year.

CDFW staff at Fish Springs are working to prioritize fish plants based on the remaining inventories, as well as re-allocating fish from other hatcheries for Mono and Inyo County planting. CDFW is also exploring purchasing eggs from private vendors. This loss will likely impact fish plants in the eastern Sierra’s for the next two seasons, though staff are strategizing to ensure that impact is as minimal as possible.

CDFW operates 21 hatcheries across the state to help support threatened and endangered fish species, provide recreational fishing opportunities, participate in important research on fish biology, and support local economies.

For more information on CDFW’s hatcheries, head to CDFW Fish Hatcheries page..

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Media Contact:
Katie Talbot, CDFW Communications, (916) 204-1381

Endangered Southern California Steelhead Trout Rescued from Fire-Impacted Topanga Creek

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 16:57:00 GMT

Temporary Relocation Will Safeguard the Last Santa Monica Mountains Population from Post-fire Storm Impacts

Media Note: A link to download photos and video.

Watch CDFW’s video about the Topanga Creek steelhead trout rescue.

As part of statewide efforts to help Californians and wildlife recover from the Southern California fires, on Jan. 23 the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and its partners rescued 271 endangered Southern California steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from Topanga Creek, the last known population of this species in the Santa Monica Mountains.

These fish survived in the chilly waters of Topanga Creek as the Palisades Fire swept through Topanga Canyon, but rain brought the threat of localized extinction. Storm events in late January and future storms falling over the burn scar can carry ash, sediment and debris into the creek that would suffocate and wipe out the population. Fisheries biologists estimate the remaining population to be as few as 400 - 500 trout.

“The fires in Southern California have been incredibly devastating,” said CDFW Chief Deputy Director Valerie Termini. “CDFW stands with the victims who have lost their homes, and we’re here to help everyone recover. Part of that effort is to bring back habitats and wildlife. Our role is going to be for the long term — helping people and wildlife recover.

“People in California want to live where biodiversity is thriving,” added Termini. “It's important for California, and it’s important for our wildlife.”

With the help of teams from the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, California Conservation Corps, Watershed Stewards Program, Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board, and California State Parks, CDFW staff set out Jan. 23 to ensure the steelhead survive. Equipped with backpack electrofishers, nets and buckets, the trout were captured from the creek and relocated to CDFW’s nearby Fillmore Fish Hatchery to prevent a likely mortality event during the rains. There, they will be held in a specially designated area of the hatchery that is set aside for the conservation of imperiled fish until it is safe to be returned to their home waters or another suitable creek in the area. Most of the netted fish were no bigger than 12 inches in length.

“Southern California steelhead are critically endangered within the Santa Monica Mountains,” said CDFW Environmental Program Manager Kyle Evans. “Topanga Creek is their only remaining population, when historically trout were found in streams across the Los Angeles area.

“These fish are incredible. They are adapted to drier summers and warmer water temperatures; they have a really complex life where they can either stay in the creek their whole life or go to the ocean and come back,” added Evans. “They're a very adaptable, important, iconic species whose success represents a healthy watershed, and healthy watersheds mean better water quality for us all. Protecting this population and their home habitats isn’t just good for the trout, it benefits the Californians of this community and beyond.”

In addition to this one-day operation to rescue the population of critically endangered fish, CDFW is working alongside California’s resource agencies to support state fire response and recovery efforts following the Southern California fires. CDFW staff are working to rescue and relocate animals impacted or displaced by the fires and are supporting and monitoring intake of injured wildlife to licensed wildlife rehabilitators.

As climate disruption continues to impact California residents, CDFW is working to help California be more resilient. Since 2021, CDFW’s Wildfire Resiliency Initiative has increased the pace and scale of vegetation management activities on its 1.1 million acres of state lands. Fire fuels reduction has been implemented on more than 100,000 acres annually across 90 high fire-risk lands statewide, providing protection to disadvantaged communities and adjacent natural lands.

Advances in veterinary medical science have come as a result of CDFW’s work in collaboration with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine — the application of fish skin to treat animal burn victims, first used in North America on bears and a mountain lion injured in a 2017 wildfire and today on animal burn patients around the world.

CDFW’s work in wildlife science has helped save rare populations of animals during fires, floods and drought. In 2020, mountain yellow-legged frog tadpoles were pulled out of the blackened landscape of a 116,000-acre wildfire, where most breeding pools were destroyed by charred rubble. CDFW supported efforts to help riparian brush rabbits to higher ground during 2023 flooding events. Salmon spawning and rearing habitats have been restored in drought-impacted creeks and streams across California.

These advances not only support the species themselves, but the Californians living near and benefitting from healthy, biodiverse habitats.

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Media Contacts:
Kyle Evans, CDFW Environmental Program Manager, (805) 794-9547
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120