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Recreation
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- Written by: Editor
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has launched an improved online fishing guide to help novice and experienced anglers plan successful fishing trips.
The new guide is faster and provides detailed information about fish plants and fishing locations.
The new version of the guide can be found at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Guide .
The map-based fishing guide allows users to research information about specific fishing locations by selecting from a drop down menu, clicking directly on the map or by searching for a specific address, city or zip code.
Specific information about each location includes planting schedule, historical fishing information and comments about the terrain, local amenities, fish known to the location and links to lodging, camping and dining options.
Other information displayed includes a link to driving directions, locations known to have quagga mussels and links to other pages, including fish planting information, regulations, license sales, boat launch facilities and a “safe to eat” portal.
The safe to eat portal displays advisories about contaminants known to the fish in a specific location.
In the coming year, CDFW plans to expand the fishing guide to include direct access to fishing regulations, license sales locations and boating facilities.
“We put a lot of effort into creating successful fishing opportunities across the state,” said CDFW Fisheries Branch Chief Stafford Lehr. “The new fishing guide will be a major tool that lets us share the useful information we have with the public and to help anglers of the state find new places to enjoy the sport.”
CDFW welcomes comments or suggestions to improve the guide.
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- Written by: Editor
California's Dungeness crab sport fishery opens statewide this Saturday, Nov. 1.
Every year at this time, recreational crab fishers eagerly set out in pursuit of these tasty crustaceans. Some set hoop nets and crab traps from boats and piers while others fish crab loop traps on the end of a fishing rod. Still others will dive in to take the crabs by hand.
Regardless of the method, Dungeness crabs are one of California's most popular shellfish.
“Dungeness crab catches tend to be cyclic with several years of high crab numbers followed by a few years of lower catches,” said CDFW Environmental Scientist Christy Juhasz. “Recent seasons have been characterized by high Dungeness crab production so we may begin to see more average catches in the near future.”
The most popular methods for catching the crustaceans are with crab pots (or traps), loop traps and hoop nets.
There is no limit to the number of pots or nets that can be fished recreationally, except when fishing from a public fishing pier where only two fishing appliances may be used.
Recreational crabbers may keep up to 10 Dungeness crabs per day of either sex, or six crabs if fishing from a party boat south of Mendocino County.
No one may possess more than one daily bag limit, and no Dungeness crab may be taken from San Francisco or San Pablo bays, which are important crab nursery areas.
CDFW reminds sport crabbers that traps and nets for Dungeness crab may not be set before 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 1.
Those fishing with hoop nets should remember that regulations require raising the nets to the surface to inspect the contents at least every two hours. Any undersized crabs or other species that are accidentally caught can be more quickly released.
This regulation ensures that fishermen closely monitor their gear and do not allow any equipment to be abandoned in state waters.
Trap fishermen should also closely monitor their traps because lost trap gear can become a self-baiting crab killer.
The recreational size limit for Dungeness crab is five and three-quarter inches measured across the shell, directly in front of and excluding the lateral spines.
Crab taken from party boats south of Mendocino County must measure at least six inches across.
For a measurement diagram, please see the CDFW Web site at https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=36325&inline=true .
Unlike rock crab species that are fished along rocky reefs, Dungeness crab are usually found on sandy or sand-mud bottoms.
Dungeness crabs generally prefer cooler northern and central California waters and are uncommon south of Point Conception.
They are typically found at depths of less than 300 feet, although they have been documented down to 750 feet.
For more information regarding recreational Dungeness crab fishing regulations and other crab species, please visit the CDFW Marine Region Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/invertebrate/crabs.asp .
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- Written by: Ron Hallman
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Hidden Valley Lake Men’s Niners Golf Club held a stroke play tournament on Oct. 23.
The results were:
– First flight: Tom Marshall took first with net 34. Tied for second were Fred Figg, Bruce Brashares, Paul Bertlin and Al Burrows at 35.
– Second flight: Mike Casolo was first with 34. Tied for second were Jim Dvorak, Bill Helt, and Jeff Markham at 35.
– Third flight: Byron Hoss had the lowest net of the day, 31. Doug Carter was second, 32. Tom Swihart, Jim DeRosa and Brian Panizzera tied for 3rd, 33.
Closest to the par three pins were Paul Bertlin and Mike Riley.
Chip-ins were scored by Joe Vallee, Bill Lyon, Randy Brown, Woody Frink and Jim DeRosa.
Fifty-two men participated in this event.
Ron Hallman is publicist for the Hidden Valley Lake Men's Niners Golf Club.
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- Written by: Editor
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering fall waterfowl hunting opportunities at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (ELER) in Hayward.
The reserve includes former salt ponds now managed by CDFW as low-salinity waterfowl habitat as well as areas that have been restored to full tidal action.
Access to ELER for waterfowl hunting will be open for 100 hunters on a first-come, first-served basis for each hunt only on the dates listed below.
There is no fee for these hunts.
2014 hunts:
– Saturday, Nov. 22: Check-in at 5 a.m.
– Saturday, Dec. 6: Check-in at 5 a.m.
– Thursday, Dec. 11: Check-in at 5 a.m.
– Saturday, Dec. 20: Check-in at 5 a.m.
– Tuesday, Dec. 30: Check-in at 5 a.m.
2015 hunts:
– Saturday, Jan. 3: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
– Thursday, Jan. 8: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
– Thursday, Jan. 15: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
– Saturday, Jan. 24: Check-in at 5:30 a.m.
All hunters must possess a valid California hunting license, federal and state duck stamps and complete the Harvest Information Program validation.
Junior license holders must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older (hunter or non-hunter).
Vehicles may be driven on levees in designated areas to launch boats for waterfowl hunting, or to access approved parking areas. Vehicles are only allowed on the hunt dates specified above.
Hunters must check in with CDFW staff and provide their license, stamps and validation as listed above.
Hunters also will be required to check out upon leaving and allow inspection of any harvested game to evaluate hunter success and collect harvest data.
Improvements have been made to ELER which will affect hunters in the 2014-15 seasons. These include construction of a boat launch, newly graveled roads, improved pond access and blind refurbishment.
Hunters are responsible for avoiding closed areas. There is a 25-shell limit in the field. A small boat, canoe or other floatation device is highly recommended to access ponds, blinds and navigable sloughs, and for game retrieval.
A hunting dog also is recommended for retrieval of birds. Hunters will receive additional information, including area rules and regulations and maps, at the time of check-in.
To access ELER from I-880, exit at Alvarado Blvd., continue west on Alvarado Blvd., turn right onto Union City Blvd., left onto Bettencourt Road (sign for Union Sanitary District), left on Whipple Road, right on Horner Street, then right on Veasy Street. Enter at the yellow gate to check in.
Formal plans for public access opportunities at ELER in addition to hunting are being developed as part of the South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project.
Please visit www.southbayrestoration.org for more information.