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Recreation
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- Written by: Editor
The recreational Pacific halibut fishery will open May 1 for the 2015 season.
This year the fishery will be held to a federally established quota of 25,220 pounds.
The season dates will be May 1 to 15, June 1 to 15, July 1 to 15, Aug. 1 to 15, and Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier.
“California’s recreational quota was the result of hard work with the industry and other states,” said Marci Yaremko, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) representative to the Pacific Fishery Management Council. “We are committed to ensuring this year’s catch does not exceed that number.”
To be consistent with international and federal gear restrictions already in place, state regulations now limit anglers to one rod and no more than two hooks per person to take Pacific halibut.
New state regulations will allow the use of a harpoon, gaff or net to assist in taking a Pacific halibut that has been legally caught by angling.
The season dates were determined through a collaborative effort between CDFW staff and stakeholders to provide as much fishing opportunity as possible between May and October.
The open and closed periods are intended to spread the fishing activity from spring through fall.
Again this year, field staff will be stationed at public launch ramps and charter boat landings to monitor catches of Pacific halibut along with other marine sportfish.
CDFW will examine this information in comparison to expected catch rates and confer with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on a weekly basis.
If the cumulative catch is expected to reach or exceed the quota prior to Oct. 31, NMFS will close the fishery.
The public can follow the progress of catch through the season by viewing the new Pacific halibut thermometer, http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pacifichalibut.asp , which will be updated weekly with the latest catch projection information.
Before engaging in any fishing activity for Pacific halibut, please check one of the following resources for the most up-to-date regulations:
– National Marine Fishery Service Halibut Hotline, 800-662-9825;
– CDFW Recreational Groundfish Regulations Hotline, 831-649-2801;
– CDFW Web site, http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pacifichalibut.asp .
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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds 2014-2015 Spiny Lobster Report Card holders to return their cards by April 30, 2015, as required by law.
Please note: Any 2014-2015 Spiny Lobster Report Card holder who fails to return their card by April 30 will be charged a non-return fee of $20 upon issuance of a Spiny Lobster Report Card in the subsequent fishing season, or they may choose to skip one fishing season to be able to purchase a lobster card the following season at no extra cost.
The Automated License Data System (ALDS) has greatly increased the ability of CDFW to remind card purchasers of the need to return report cards by sending out reminder notices through the mail.
A reminder notice was mailed to all cardholders to return their report cards to CDFW or submit their harvest data online.
If you receive a reminder notice but have already submitted your card or reported online, CDFW thanks you.
Cardholders should review their cards carefully and check that information recorded is complete and accurate. Information collected from the cards provides CDFW with data necessary to monitor and manage California’s spiny lobster fishery.
The cards need to be returned, even if no lobsters were taken or no attempts were made to take lobsters. Spiny Lobster Report Card data can be submitted online at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/harvestreporting .
Report cards also can be submitted by mail to: CDFW – Lobster Report Card, 3883 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123.
Additional information and a list of frequently asked questions about this program can be found on CDFW’s Ocean Sport Fishing Web page, http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/invertebrate/lobster.asp .
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – This Saturday night, May 2, Lakeport Speedway will host race No. 2 of the North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest.
This traveling tour for IMCA type modifieds has an 11-race schedule at seven different race tracks.
Saturday will be their first and only visit to Lakeport in 2015.
The NSMS season opener at All American Speedway produced 24 cars with Rich Lindgren of Rio Linda the big $1,000 winner.
Lindgren is the current points leader followed by Anderson driver Cody Braund, Redding's Michael Morrison and Jason Philpot of Sacramento.
The North State drivers will be joined by many of the local Stahl modified series guys which promises to bring a full-field of cars with plenty of action in the 60-lap feature event.
The North State Modified Series will join the Lakeport Speedway bombers, jammers, and Legends Cars.
For more information visit the North State Modified Series Facebook page or call 707-274-1662.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The recommendation by the state Fish and Game Commission to close more than five miles of the Sacramento River to fishing was approved by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on Friday, April 24.
An emergency regulation closing 5.5 miles of spawning habitat above the city of Redding on the Upper Sacramento River went into effect April 27.
Enhanced protective measures were also included in the ocean sport and commercial fisheries regulations for the 2015 season.
The emergency regulation closes all fishing on the 5.5 mile stretch of the Sacramento River from the Highway 44 Bridge where it crosses the Sacramento River upstream to Keswick Dam.
The area is currently closed to salmon fishing but was open to trout fishing.
The closure will protect critical spawning habitat and eliminate any incidental stress or hooking mortality of winter-run salmon by anglers.
It is highly unusual for a state to propose even stricter guidelines on a listed species than required by the federal Endangered Species Act.
However, CDFW scientists believe the additional protection provided in the emergency river closure and additional ocean fishing restrictions will help a significant segment of the winter-run population to avoid losses.