CDFW News

Waterfowl Hunts Coming Up at CDFW Ecological Reserve in East Bay

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 12:58:00 GMT

Beginning November 20, hunters can participate in waterfowl hunts on Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve at Eden Landing in Hayward. Managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the ecological reserve features restored salt pond habitat.

Access to the ecological reserve will require no entry fee and be open to 100 hunters on a first-come, first-served basis on the following dates:

2025 hunts (4:30 a.m. check-in)

Thursday, November 20
Saturday, November 29
Thursday, December 4
Saturday, December 13
Thursday, December 18
Saturday, December 27

2026 hunts (4:30 a.m. check-in)

Tuesday, January 6
Saturday, January 10
Thursday, January 15
Saturday, January 24

“These hunts typically have a two- to three-bird average per hunter with northern shoveler and American wigeon being the most common harvest,” said Wildlife Biologist and Reserve Manager Garrett Allen. “Eden Landing waterfowl hunts are unique in that there are no entry fees charged and hunting is offered on some Tuesdays and Thursdays when other public waterfowl hunting areas are closed.”

Adult hunters must have a valid California Hunting License, federal duck stamp, state duck validation and Harvest Information Program validations. Junior hunters must have a junior license and, if 16 or older, also possess a federal duck stamp. Junior hunters must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older (hunter or non-hunter).

There is a 25-shell limit in the field and nonlead ammunition is required when taking wildlife anywhere in California. A hunting dog is recommended for retrieving birds. A small boat, canoe or other floatation device is also highly recommended to access ponds and blinds. The ecological reserve has a boat launch on Mount Eden Creek allowing access to tidal areas. Boaters are advised to consult local tide charts before launching as mud flats can subject vessels to hidden underwater hazards during low tides.

Hunters should also be aware that vehicle access to some areas of the ecological reserve may be temporarily limited due to ongoing levee maintenance. Hunters are responsible for avoiding closed areas.

To access Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve at Eden Landing from Interstate 880: Exit at Alvarado Boulevard; continue west and turn right on Union City Boulevard; left on Bettencourt Road (look for Union Sanitary District sign); left on Whipple Road, right on Horner Street; right on Veasy Street. Enter at the yellow gate and proceed to the check station.

Additional public access opportunities at the reserve are available. More information is available at wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Eden-Landing-ER and South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project at www.southbayrestoration.org.

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Garrett Allen, CDFW Bay Delta Region, (707) 428-2076

Waterfowl Season Opens Across Most of California Saturday, Oct. 18

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 11:00:00 GMT

California’s 2025-26 waterfowl hunting season begins Saturday, October 18, 2025, in most zones. Detailed information about specific opening and closing dates, daily bag and possession limits can be found in the 2025-26 California Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations booklet (PDF).

“With wetland conditions looking favorable across much of the state, waterfowl hunters can look forward to a strong start to the season,” said Melanie Weaver, Waterfowl Coordinator with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Public hunting opportunities can be found on more than two dozen public hunt areas.

CDFW has implemented several changes at public hunt area check-stations. A few key changes to note for the upcoming season are:

Hunters requiring a hunting pass must present photo identification at the time of entry.
Reservations will be accepted in numerical order, except for the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area.
Party leaders must have a valid GO ID and hunting license to enter a party in the in-person vacancy draw (lottery).
For properties requiring all members to be listed on an in-person vacancy draw (lottery) application, only one member from each party will be required to be present to enter the draw.
Hunters may only enter one in-person vacancy draw (lottery) per hunt day.

For more information regarding season updates and to view additional changes, please review the 2025 Waterfowl Hunting Newsletter (PDF).

Hunters are encouraged to review area-specific regulations and plan ahead as licenses, validations and passes must be purchased in advance. Updates about wildlife area and refuge closures will be posted on CDFW’s Closures page. Licenses, validations and passes can be purchased at select CDFW License Sales Offices, online through CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services, in-person at a license agent, or through telephone license sales at (800) 565-1458.

Hunters should also take precautions when handling harvested birds and cleaning equipment as avian influenza H5N1 continues to circulate among wild waterbirds and typically re-emerges during the fall migration. While the risk to humans remains low, hunters are still encouraged to follow safety tips and review information related to avian influenza. Importantly, dress wild game in a well-ventilated area and away from chickens and other pet birds. Do not feed dogs or other animals raw meat or organs from harvested waterfowl.

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Media Contacts: 
Taylor Williams – Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) Manager
Melanie Weaver – Statewide Waterfowl Coordinator

California Fish and Game Commission: No maximum size limit adopted for striped bass; CESA evaluation coming for one of state’s rarest plants

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:12:13 GMT

After years of discussion and consideration of public comment and scientific research, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) did not approve a proposed regulation amendment to set a maximum size limit for recreational striped bass fishing. This decision and regulatory action affecting California’s natural resources took place at the Commission’s October 8-9 meeting in Sacramento.

For recreational striped bass harvest, proposed regulatory amendments requested through an externally submitted petition would have kept the minimum size limit at 18-inches and set a maximum length limit at 30 inches for harvest of striped bass in anadromous waters. The petition’s stated goal was to protect larger, mature fish. The Commission voted 3-2 to not set a maximum size limit.

California Endangered Species Act (CESA) candidacy was granted for Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella and Pacific pocket mouse. Commissioners found sufficient scientific information to warrant possible CESA listings.

Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella is considered one of California’s rarest plants and the Pacific pocket mouse was once thought extinct. Each face threats such as habitat loss due to development. These species will now receive CESA protections while a status review is underway for potential CESA listing.

The Commission adopted regulations adding invasive non-native mussels, including golden mussel, pond mussel and axe-head mussel, and green crab to the list of live animals restricted from importation, transportation and possession.

As part of an emergency regulation, golden mussel was added to the list of restricted species in December 2024 after the discovery of golden mussel in California in October 2024. Golden mussel was first detected in the Port of Stockton and have since spread from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta into other California waterways that receive water from the Delta.

Golden mussel, pond mussel, axe-head mussel and green crab pose threats to ecosystems, water infrastructure and economies. These invasive mussels can clog water pipelines, colonize inside boat engines and alter food webs affecting native species. Green crab outcompetes native species for food and habitat, disrupting marine ecosystems and threatening native fisheries; they also prey on farmed bivalves.

Inductees to the 2025 California Waterfowlers Hall of Fame were recognized at this Commission meeting. Fritz Reid, Mike Passaglia and Rex Carr were honored as individuals who have made significant contributions to enhance and conserve waterfowl and their habitats in California.

The closure of commercial bull kelp harvest in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties was extended through January 2029. Initially a three-year restriction on commercial bull kelp harvest from Sonoma County to the Oregon border was adopted in February 2022 in response to multi-year declines in bull kelp populations. Bull kelp has shown only limited reestablishment, warranting an extension.

Meeting Participation and Next Meeting

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 October 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 December 10-11 at the California Natural Resources Building, second floor, 715 P St., 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:

Recreational take of groundfish (PDF) A discussion hearing is scheduled for December 10-11 and an adoption hearing Febuary 11-12 on proposed amendments to regulations regarding recreational take of rockfish, cabezon, greenling and lingcod.

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

CDFW Seeks Hunter Recommendations for Northern San Joaquin Valley Wildlife Areas

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 14:00:36 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 take comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding hunting programs in the northern San Joaquin Valley. The meeting will include updates on habitat conditions and the availability of water for wetlands.

The meeting will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 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.

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. USFWS personnel will be available to speak about the Merced National Wildlife Refuge, including the Lone Tree Unit, as well as the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, including the Kesterson, Blue Goose, East and West Bear Creek, the Freitas units and the Kern National Wildlife Refuge.

CDFW annually provides opportunity through public meetings and outreach for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on hunting programs, including 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:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Lara Sparks, CDFW Los Banos Wildlife Area, (209) 826-0463

Hunters Invited to Share Input on Yolo Bypass, Grizzly Island Hunting Programs

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:31:17 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding hunting programs on the Yolo Bypass and Grizzly Island wildlife areas.

The meeting will be held virtually Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. using Microsoft Teams.

CDFW will provide updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands and hunting access opportunities. Email Grizzly Island Wildlife Area at grizzlyisland@wildlife.ca.gov for a link to the meeting and instructions for submitting comments and questions.

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

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Orlando Rocha, CDFW Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, (707) 425-3828
Garrett Spaan, CDVW Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, (530) 757-2461