News Archive

In a move to protect red abalone populations that have suffered drastic population decline, the California Fish and Game Commission at its Dec. 10-11 meeting extended the red abalone recreational fishery closure 10 years. The Commission also approved listing Bear Lake buckwheat as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act and received the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s status review report for mountain lion in the central coast and southern parts of California.

The Wildlife Conservation Board approved $87,125,538 in grants for 16 projects across 14 counties to protect critical wildlife habitat, restore rivers and streams, and conserve culturally and ecologically significant lands. Among these, seven projects advance the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, restoring fish passage, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and improving spawning and rearing habitat for endangered salmon and steelhead.

State legislation signed into law earlier this month will allow invasive mute swans to be taken or possessed at any time by those with a valid California hunting license beginning January 1, 2026.

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.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is excited to announce the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) 2025 update is complete and can be found on the CDFW SWAP webpage. California’s SWAP, which is mandated by Congress and updated at least every 10 years, provides a comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy that is achieved through various conservation projects executed statewide.