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Recreation
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- Written by: Editor
The 125,000 fish released Monday were the first of the fish reared from eggs rescued from the Feather River Fish Hatchery during last year’s Feather River spillway failure. Plants will continue through Thursday near Yuba City.
More than a million steelhead eggs were endangered in February 2017 when silt and debris overwhelmed the hatchery water system following the spillway failure.
With less than 72 hours to complete fixes on aeration and filtration systems CDFW engineers went to work to save the steelhead eggs stacked in hundreds of trays at the hatchery.
Feather River steelhead are on the state and federal list of species of concern, and the hatchery is key to maintaining the viable run in the Central Valley.
The eggs in the hatchery during the Feather River spillway event represented a year-age class of steelhead.
Engineers redesigned the water in-flow system using city water for the incubating steelhead. They also brought in massive six-foot-tall charcoal filters to purify the city water and reconfigured the aeration system. These alterations made this week’s release of more than 500,000 steelhead possible.
“CDFW engineers did something that had never been done successfully before on a massive scale,” said Feather River Fish Hatchery Manager Anna Kastner. “The eggs were in a fragile state of incubation and could not be moved, so innovation was the only option. The use of city water for incubation paid off.”
CDFW Engineers George Heise and Beth Lawson, working with hatchery personnel, pathologists and biologists, conferred on the requirements of redesigning the system. Once agreed upon they went to work.
“Our options were limited and something had to be implemented immediately. The team told us what they needed and we went to work making it happen,” Heise said.
Thousands of anglers fish these waters annually, significantly boosting the local economy. Finding an emergency fix for the potential catastrophic loss of a year of hatchery production of steelhead was critical – recreationally, economically and biologically.
John Church, a local fisherman from Yuba City, is one of the many anglers who value and rely on steelhead fishing opportunities on the Feather River. “It’s really important to me and family … I take my daughters to the Feather River for the chance to catch a steelhead each year,” he said. “It is what we go there for.”
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Question: I jumped on an open party lobster trip recently (their counts were high!). The crew members were measuring while all of us were watching up close.
The 3 ¼" tool would drop over the carapace and if fairly tight, they claimed it to be a "keeper."
When I politely asked them about this, they were adamant that these were legal bugs.
Can you please describe proper measuring at the edge of a lobster's carapace? Can the tool drop in over the carapace edge, and if it's tight, then it's a legal bug? (Jim Kelley)
Answer: The crew members were correct – an accurate measuring gauge should fit tightly in a straight line measurement on the lobster carapace from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell.
When the lobster gauge is placed on the carapace, there should be no space at all between the gauge and the carapace.
Please make sure the part of the gauge that is placed on the rear edge of the eye socket is on the hard part of the shell, not on the soft fleshy part where the eyes are.
If there is any gap at all between the lobster carapace and the gauge, no matter how small, the lobster is too short and a citation could be issued. See California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.90(c) for specific language.
Can I use my drone as a jig?
Question: I have a drone that is set up for fishing. I have a Cannon downrigger quick-release that I can attach to my drone. I would like to use my drone to troll or as a jig.
When the fish strikes, the line would be pulled free from the drone, and I would fight and retrieve the fish with my rod and reel. Is that legal? (James K.)
Answer: Under existing law, using a drone to jig tackle that remains connected to your rod and reel is not illegal so long as the drone is being legally flown in a legal area.
Recognizing that regulations on drones are becoming tighter, especially in sensitive areas, you need to be familiar with all local ordinances or special jurisdictions as well.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued citations to drone operators for "harassing wildlife" in some areas of the state, so use common sense when flying and be aware of your fellow anglers.
Can a restaurant prepare my ducks?
Question: Duck season just ended and although the last weekend was slow due to the unseasonably warm weather, the prior two weekends were good.
I would like to take several friends to a restaurant where they will prepare my own ducks for us to eat. I have heard this is legal to do but I don't know what the requirements are to stay within the law. (Jake M., Sacramento)
Answer: Fish and Game Code, section 2015 provides the legal authorization and requirements.
Although it is generally unlawful to possess a bird, mammal, fish, amphibian or reptile, that may not be legally sold, in a restaurant or other eating establishment, there are specific exceptions that would apply in your situation.
Those exceptions include: (1) A person who lawfully took or otherwise legally possessed the bird, mammal, fish, amphibian or reptile, (2) a person preparing the bird, mammal, fish, amphibian or reptile for consumption by the person who lawfully took or possessed it, or by that person and others, if the person who took or possessed it is present on the premises, or (3) a bird, mammal, fish, amphibian or reptile tagged with a signed statement from the person who took the bird, mammal, fish, amphibian or reptile. The statement must include that person's name and address, the date it was taken and the total number and kind taken.
You can enjoy your duck dinner at your favorite restaurant with your friends.
Hunting from a float tube between California and Arizona
Question: Is it legal to hunt from a float tube for ducks and geese in Blythe? (Anonymous)
Answer: Yes, during the season, you can hunt from a float tube for ducks and geese in Blythe, but you must mind where the state boundary is within the river so that you do not float into Arizona with unlawfully taken birds.
There are some places where you may be on what appears to be the California side of the river while you are actually standing in Arizona.
The belt-and-suspenders approach is to buy both a California resident hunting license and an Arizona non-resident hunting license, with each respective state duck stamp, and the federal migratory bird stamp.
If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email them at
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- Written by: Editor
The short survey, which will be open through Feb. 23, will help inform CDFW biologists about angler preferences for open fishing dates during the upcoming 2018 season.
Results of the survey will be used to develop recommended season dates that will be provided to the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The survey link is online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/LHHYJXG.
The Pacific halibut fishery takes place off the Northern California coast.
In 2017, the fishery was open May 1 to June 15, July 1 to 15, Aug. 1 to 15 and Sept. 1 to 10.
The fishery closed Sept. 11 due to projected attainment of the California quota.
For more information on the Pacific halibut fishery in California, please visit CDFW's Pacific Halibut Web page at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/pacific-halibut.
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The two-hour walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Visitor Center parking lot and will be a slow walk along Cole Creek, Kelsey Creek and Kelsey Creek Slough.
The walk will cover about one mile of paved road and established trails. Val will be pointing out wildlife, flora, fauna, and native uses of plants along the trail.
Participants should wear sturdy shoes and bring binoculars and water.
Rain will cancel the walk.
Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, and entry into the park is free for those participating in the walk.
Anyone having special needs should contact the Clear Lake State Park Kiosk seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.