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Recreation
- Details
- Written by: CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
The dos and don'ts of clamming in California
Question: I am interested in clamming at some beaches in Santa Cruz County. I have seen clams on Sunset State Beach. Where can I find rules and regulations on clamming in Santa Cruz County or Monterey County? (Romeo)
Answer: Clamming is generally done from November to April during minus tide events. You'll find the general clamming regulations in the California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.20. That's immediately followed by additional rules and restrictions specific to certain subspecies: Gaper clams, Washington clams, littleneck clams, soft-shell clams, chiones, northern quahogs, cockles, Pismo clams, razor clams, etc.
At Sunset State Beach, it's likely that you are encountering Pismo clams. There are restrictions specific to the harvest of Pismo clams in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties (CCR Title 14, section 29.40). In this area, there is an open season between Sept. 1 and April 30, with a daily bag limit of 10 clams that are at least a minimum size of 5 inches in greatest shell diameter.
Every clammer taking Pismo clams (or any clam that has a minimum size limit) is required to carry a device or gauge that can accurately measure the minimum legal size of clams.
The area was once a popular clamming site for clam bakes as reported by an early-1990s Sunset State Beach General Plan issued by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Between 2008-2019, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) completed 21 semi-annual fishery-independent Pismo clam surveys at this location.
Among 484 clams observed, the largest ever seen measured only 3.9 inches - well short of the minimum legal size. This may be due to predation from sea otters. Occasionally 3-4 inch clamshells are found with the hinge intact and with one valve broken, a classic sign of this predation. We do not recommend sport clamming at Sunset State Beach because of the absence of legal-sized clams.
Gaper clams occur in Elkhorn Slough in Monterey County. Clamming is prohibited within the Elkhorn Slough State Marine Reserve, but within the Elkhorn Slough State Marine Conservation area, clamming is allowed on the north shore of the slough in the area adjacent to the Moss Landing State Wildlife Area. There is a bag limit of 10 gaper clams, but all clams dug, regardless of size or broken condition, must be retained until the bag limit is reached.
In addition to clamming restrictions, current health advisories issued by the California Department of Public Health (which monitors biotoxins caused by algal blooms in bivalves, including clams) can be accessed by calling (800) 553-4133.
An annual mussel shellfish quarantine is enforced from May 1 to Oct. 31. This is in place to protect the public against Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning and Domoic Acid Poisoning, also known as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning. Even though mussels are a different species, we recommend taking similar precautions, and discourage the harvesting of Pismo clams during the annual mussel quarantine.
Please remember that any person 16 years of age or older who is participating in clamming is required to have a valid California sport fishing license. An Ocean Enhancement Stamp is also required for ocean fishing (including clamming) south of Point Arguello (northern Santa Barbara County) except when fishing with a one-day or two-day sport fishing license.
Transporting crab home
Question: I plan to go crab fishing with my wife and daughter. The limit of Dungeness is 10 per person, so 30 for the three of us. My daughter plans to fly home, and we plan to drive transporting all the crab. How do I transport my daughter's crab legally as I may have three limits and two fishermen on hand? (Walter)
Answer: CCR Title 14, section 29.85(3) specifies the daily limit of 10 Dungeness crabs – with no mention of possession limits. When possession limits aren't specifically mentioned in the regulations, the possession limit and the daily limit for that species are the same – 10 Dungeness crabs in this instance.
Some states have laws that allow transportation of fish or game by another sportsperson, but California does not (other than Fish and Game Code, section 2345-2348, which allows the crabs to be shipped by common carrier).
Two people driving with three limits of crab are overlimit. Don't risk a citation; keep your legal limit of 10 crabs each, and return the rest to the water.
Importing bison meat?
Question: My cousin in Wyoming invited me to go bison hunting next year in November. Are there any restrictions on bringing back bison meat to California? (Seth)
Answer: As bison are not of the family Cervidae, they are not subject to chronic wasting disease import restrictions. You will, however, need to fill out a Declaration of Entry form. Keep all licenses and/or tags required in Wyoming to take bison on your person and be ready to present them as you cross over any state lines.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Join the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association on New Year’s Day at noon to participate in the seventh annual “First Day Hike” at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.
America's State Parks’ “First Day Hikes” program offers individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year by getting outside, enjoying nature and welcoming the New Year with friends and family.
This family-friendly event begins on Wednesday, Jan. 1, at noon.
Members of the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association will help lead and organize the walk.
Participants should wear sturdy shoes and a hat. Bring water, snacks, and binoculars if you have them. Children of all ages are welcome.
Because this area is a protected natural preserve, no dogs may be brought on this walk.
Hikers will experience grasslands, oak woodlands, willow and cottonwood riparian habitats and the tule marsh habitat of the Anderson Marsh Natural Preserve, and may encounter a variety of migrating and resident birds and other wildlife.
The hike will be a leisurely three and a half mile long loop over the Cache Creek Nature Trail, the Marsh Trail and the Ridge Trail, passing by a vernal pool near the end of the walk. The hike will take between two and two and a half hours.
Steady rain will cancel the walk. To confirm or check for cancellation information, call 707-995-2658, email
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
FORT BRAGG, Calif. – On Saturday, Dec. 21, the Clear Lake Cardinals wrestling team closed out its final tournament of the decade in glorious fashion.
Even with several of their top wrestlers out due to injury, illness or other reasons, the team pulled together, just as they have done all season and accomplished their goal: to bring home a Tournament Team Trophy.
The Cardinals sent 22 wrestlers – 17 boys and five girls – to compete at the Timberwolves Holiday Bash Invitational Wrestling Tournament.
As the 2019 Holiday Bash came to an end, the Cardinals team finished with 18 medals: eight firsts, three seconds, seven thirds and the first place team trophy, beating out teams like Middletown (second), Las Plumas (third) and Fort Bragg (fourth).
“Sadly we have to wait for our medals and trophy (due to holiday shipping issues), but no hardware comes close to the feeling of triumph and the roar for our Cards in the stands after being announced victorious! The last tournament victory by the Cardinals was my freshman year in 2011 so it’s nice to have our first win together. I see many more in this team’s future as we continue to raise our competitive standard,” said Head Coach Nathan Powers.
Gold medalists:
Boys: Asher Reese (113 lbs.) went 3-0 with two pins. Ayden Williamson (124 lbs.) was 3-0 with three pins. Hayden Fowler (138 lbs.) and Axel Alvarez (182 lbs.) each went 2-0 with one pin. Anthony Gersalia (170 lbs.) and Raymond Gonzales-Shoaf (245 lbs.) were each 2-0 with two pins.
Girls: Keara Alonso-Lopez (101 lbs.) and Mavis Pyorre (118 lbs.) each went 2-0 with two pins.
Silver medalists:
Boys: Elijah Alvarez (140 lbs.) and Dominic Legendre (285 lbs.) were each 1-1 with one pin.
Girls: Ashley Pyorre (wrestling in the 106 lbs. Boys bracket) went 2-1 with two pins.
Bronze medalists:
Boys: Hernan Romero (122 lbs.) went 2-1 with 1 pin. Drake Chesebro was at (245 lbs.). Mujtaba Akbari (120 lbs.), Mohammad Akbari (126 lbs.) and Nicholas Williamson (132 lbs.) each went 1-2 with one pin.
Girls: Tara Wong was at (101 lbs.) and Ximena Soto (118 lbs.).
Also battling hard for the Cardinals were Luis Aguilar, Isaac Vigil, Samuel Vanoven and Zachary Wilcox.
“We are excited to take some time to celebrate the Holiday season with our families as we gear up for our next tournament in the New Year,” Coach Powers said.
He added that 2019 has been great for the team and “2020 will be even better with all the hard work these young men and women have committed to.”
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
When can I use splashers and flappers for duck hunting?
Question: I'm fairly new to waterfowl hunting and had a quick question: When are decoy splashers, as well as decoys that flap (not spin), allowed? (Alejandro)
Answer: Welcome to the wonderful world of waterfowl hunting! There are few things in the outdoors as stirring as watching a wetland awaken at sunrise, something waterfowl hunters get to witness regularly with a front-row seat.
The California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 507(c) addresses motion decoys: "It is unlawful to use devices that are either electronically powered, or activated by anything other than natural wind, to directly or indirectly cause rotation of decoy wings or blades that simulate wings, when attempting to take waterfowl between the start of the season and Nov. 30."
As long as a decoy or device that has rotating wings, or blades that simulate wings, is not activated or powered by anything other than natural wind, it is legal to use throughout the entirety of the waterfowl season. Electrically powered decoys that swim, vibrate, splash, move their feet or otherwise churn the water to simulate a feeding or active duck are also legal throughout the season.
Generally, we feel that new waterfowl hunter will benefit the most from time invested in studying live ducks on the water, practicing calling and shooting rather than trying to acquire the latest and greatest motion decoys to hit the market.
While there are certainly times and places when motion decoys – both wind-powered and electric-powered – will improve hunting success, the most consistently successful duck hunters tend to be those who also are excellent callers, understand the nuances of decoy placement, are highly proficient shooters, well-concealed during their hunts and let the birds work close before taking a shot.
These are time-honored techniques and traditions that will enhance your waterfowling experience and overall success - motion decoys or not. We wish you the best on your journey.
Buying a report card after the catch?
Question: In Lake Cuyamaca, sturgeon are present, as are large channel catfish. One can buy licenses and report cards in the tackle shop, within a hundred yards of the nearest shoreline. If a sturgeon is caught incidentally to the take of catfish in the lake, would it have to be immediately released, or, upon incidental landing of a legal-size sturgeon, would it be legal to immediately purchase the required report card, and keep the fish? (Chris)
Answer: No. Any required report cards or tags must be purchased prior to taking fish or other wildlife. If you don't have a sturgeon report card in your possession, you can't fish for sturgeon, and an incidentally caught sturgeon must be immediately released.
The purpose of sturgeon report cards is to help fisheries biologists track catch (and lack thereof) throughout the season. Report cards information must be provided to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) at the end of the season, even if you didn't catch anything.
That information helps our biologists monitor the fishery by telling us where people are fishing, how much effort they're putting into fishing, how many fish were captured, released or retained, and the size and age distribution of fish caught within the legal slot limit (40-60 inches).
It's the same situation with hunting tags. Taking a deer or other big game animal without a valid tag – and then purchasing the tag after the fact – is illegal.
On another note, since you mentioned that you're fishing for catfish - remember there are gear restrictions for white sturgeon. They may be taken using only one single point, single shank, barbless hook on a line (CCR Title 14, section 5.80). If you're not using that for catfish, and you do decide to get a report card and target sturgeon, make sure to switch to the right gear.
Bobcat hunting?
Question: I've heard bobcat season was cancelled this year. I bought a tag. So, you're telling me I can't use it to hunt bobcats? (Shawn)
Answer: Bobcat season was not cancelled, but it is closing sooner than originally planned. Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1254 (Kamlager-Dove, Chapter 766, Statutes of 2019), bobcat hunting will be prohibited in California beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The change was enacted through the legislative process, not the Fish and Game Commission.
All bobcat tags will expire on Dec. 31, 2019. Bobcat tag fees are not refundable. If you have a bobcat tag, you may still hunt bobcats until Dec. 31. They are also still available to purchase but understand the season will close Dec. 31. CDFW is working to notify hunters who have already purchased bobcat tags of the statutorily mandated change.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email