Media Contact Contact an Information Officer Related News Feeds California Outdoors Q&A OSPR News Marine Region News Subscribe Subscribe to CDFW News releases via email or text.* Sign Up(opens in new tab) *Accredited media representatives should contact an Information Officer to be placed on CDFW's media list. Follow Us Follow on Twitter @CaliforniaDFW(opens in new tab) Follow on Facebook(opens in new tab) Search News 2022-2024 News Releases CDFW to End Hatchery Operations at Mad River Fish Hatchery in Humboldt County May 2, 2025 The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has made the difficult decision to cease hatchery operations at the Mad River Fish Hatchery in Humboldt County. A combination of increased regulatory burden and a lack of flexibility, aging infrastructure, significant and necessary costly repairs and maintenance, modernization needs, and low fish production and returns forced the decision to close the steelhead trout hatchery just east of Arcata. Continue reading... Categories: Fisheries, Hatcheries Tagged: HatcheryMad River Fish HatcheryHumboldt County CDFW to Host In-Person Public Meetings to Discuss North Coast Elk Management May 17, 2023 CDFW will hold two public, in-person meetings on May 22 and 23, 2023, in Humboldt and Del Norte counties, respectively, to provide information and receive input regarding elk management within the North Coast Roosevelt Elk Management Unit. Continue reading... Categories: Big Game, Human Wildlife Conflict, Hunting, Wildlife Tagged: Roosevelt ElkNorth CoastElk ManagementHumboldt CountyDel Norte County Razor Clam Fishery Closes in Humboldt County Due to Public Health Hazard April 21, 2023 CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham has closed the recreational razor clam fishery in Humboldt County following a recommendation from state health agencies determining that consumption of razor clams in the area poses a significant threat for domoic acid exposure. Continue reading... Categories: Fisheries, Marine, Public Safety Tagged: Razor Clam ClosureHumboldt CountyHealth Hazard CDFW’s Ocean Ranch Unit Opens to Waterfowl Hunting, Public Access on Jan. 2, 2023 December 29, 2022 The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce that its Ocean Ranch Unit in Humboldt County, part of the larger Eel River Wildlife Area, will open to waterfowl hunting and general public access beginning Monday, January 2, 2023. Continue reading... Categories: Habitat Restoration, Hunting, Lands, Wildlife Tagged: California Duck HuntingHumboldt CountyPublic LandNorth Coast CDFW’s Ocean Ranch Unit in Humboldt County Remains Closed to Waterfowl Hunting, Public Access Through Remainder of 2022 October 20, 2022 The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) wants to remind waterfowl hunters that its Ocean Ranch Unit in Humboldt County, part of the larger Eel River Wildlife Area, will be closed to all hunting and public access through the end of the year due to heavy construction and habitat work taking place. Continue reading... Categories: Habitat Restoration, Hunting, Lands, Wildlife Tagged: Humboldt CountyDuck HuntingEel River Wildlife AreaDucks Unlimited 12Next