California Department of Fish and Game Gives Holiday Present To Anglers
December 10, 2008
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will stock rainbow trout and catfish in the San Francisco Bay Area this month. More than 37,000 pounds of rainbow trout — some as large as one pound each — and catfish up to two pounds each will be stocked in lakes during December. In addition to trout stocked from DFG hatcheries, DFG’s Fishing in the City program will contribute catchable fish purchased from private fish rearing facilities to Bay Area lakes.
“We want to create opportunities for families to spend quality time together enjoying each other and the time-honored tradition of fishing,” says Eric Larson, Biological Programs Manager for DFG’s Bay Delta Region. “Fishing, like most other outdoor pursuits, helps keep people connected to the natural environment. This is a simple, inexpensive way to enjoy time together.”
A fishing license is required of all anglers age 16 or older and all fishing regulations apply. Some lakes may require a daily fishing permit.
The enhanced stocking is coordinated through DFG’s Fishing in the City (FIC) program. Since 1993, FIC has worked to increase fishing opportunities near where people live and work. This is accomplished though enhanced stocking, habitat improvement and holding learn-to-fish clinics with community partners. FIC is funded by the National Sportfish Restoration Fund, through an excise tax on the sale of fishing tackle and motor boat fuel.
The following lakes will be stocked as a part of this special program (listings include county, lake and number of pounds planted):
Dec. 1-5
DFG Hatchery Trout (1/2 pound per fish)
| County | Lake | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda: | Chabot Reservoir | 2,000 |
| Contra Costa: | Los Vaqueros Reservoir | 2,000 |
| San Francisco: | Merced Lake North | 2,000 |
| Santa Cruz: | Pinto Lake | 1,000 |
| Sonoma: | Ralphine Lake | 1,000 |
| Alameda: | Arroyo Del Valle | 2,000 |
Dec. 8-12
DFG Hatchery Trout (1/2 pound per fish)
| County | Lake | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda: | Horseshoe Lake | 2,000 |
| Contra Costa: | Contra Loma Reservoir | 500 |
| Santa Clara: | Campbell Perc Pond | 500 |
| Santa Clara: | Cunningham Lake | 500 |
| Santa Clara: | Sandywool Lake | 500 |
Dec. 15-19
DFG Hatchery trout (1/2 pound per fish)
| County | Lake | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda: | Lake Shore Park Pond | 300 |
| Alameda: | Quarry Lake | 300 |
| Alameda: | Shadow Cliff Lake | 2,000 |
| Contra Costa: | Heather Farms | 200 |
| Contra Costa: | Hidden Valley Pond | 100 |
| Contra Costa: | Los Vaqueros Reservoir | 2,000 |
| San Francisco: | Merced Lake North | 2,000 |
| Santa Cruz: | Pinto Lake | 1,000 |
| Sonoma: | Ralphine Lake | 1,000 |
Dec. 15-19
1.5-2 Pound Catfish FIC
| County | Lake | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara | Lake Cunningham | 750 |
| Contra Costa | Heather Farms | 500 |
| Marin | Scottsdale | 500 |
| Marin | Stafford Lake | 1,000 |
Dec 15-19
1 Pound Trout FIC
| County | Lake | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Sonoma | Lake Ralphine | 1,000 |
| Contra Costa | Don Castro | 500 |
| Contra Loma | Contra Loma | 500 |
| Alameda | Shadow Cliffs | 500 |
| Alameda | Lake Temescal | 500 |
| San Francisco | Lake Merced | 750 |
| Santa Clara | Campbell Perc Ponds | 750 |
| Santa Clara | Lake Cunningham | 1,000 |
| Santa Clara | Spring Valley Pond | 300 |
Dec. 22-26
DFG Hatchery Trout (1/2 pound per fish)
| County | Lake | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda | Arroyo Del Valle | 2,000 |
| Alameda | Chabot Reservoir | 2,000 |
Dec. 27
1 pound Rainbow Trout FIC
| County | Lake | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda | Lakeshore Park | 500 |
| Alameda | Lake Elizabeth | 500 |
| Contra Costa | Hidden Valley Pond | 500 |
| Alameda | Horseshoe Lake (Quarry Lakes) | 500 |
| Contra Costa | Heather Farms Pond | 500 |
| Solano | Lake Chabot Vallejo | 1,000 |
For more information, visit the Fishing in the City Web site at www.fishinginthecity.org
. For an up-to-date list of fish planting, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcheries/FishPlanting/BayDelta.asp.
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Wanted: Talented Artists to Design 2009 California Duck Stamp
November 6, 2008
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) announced today an art contest for the 2009 design for the state’s duck stamp. This is the first time since 1994 a contest will decide the stamp’s art.
The contest is open to all U.S. residents aged 18 and over. Entries will be accepted from March 1 until the April 30 contest deadline. The species selected by the Fish and Game Commission to appear on the 2009 duck stamp is the northern shoveler.
A duck stamp is required for hunting waterfowl in California. The money generated from stamp sales can only be spent on waterfowl-related conservation projects. Since it began in 1971, the California duck stamp program has raised more than $22 million. It is also the first, and oldest, state duck stamp program in the country.
DFG sells about 70,000 duck stamps annually, which includes sales to collectors who value them for their artist depiction of native ducks and geese. In addition to duck stamps, DFG typically issues signed, limited edition prints that are valued by art collectors.
The duck stamp contest will be judged by a panel of citizens with expertise in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. The winning artist will be selected during a public judging event to be held in May. A date has not yet been set for the judging.
The top entries will then be displayed in July at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association’s art show in Sacramento. The winning entry will be reproduced on the 2009 California Duck Stamp and will be available as collectible limited edition prints.
For contest information and entry forms, please visit the DFG Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/about/duckstamp.
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CA DFG Forecasts 2008 Chukar and Quail Season Prospects
October 13, 2008
Brood Surveys Indicate Increase In Production Of Young birds Over Last Year
Chukar and quail populations increased this year in California, the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) annual upland game brood surveys show. Chukar and quail are popular upland game birds in California. The chukar and general quail hunting seasons open on Oct. 18 and continue through Jan. 25.
Chukar Partridge
California’s chukar partridge populations rebounded in response to improved habitat quality as a result of near normal rainfall patterns during last winter and spring in most chukar range. Rainfall in chukar habitat ranged from 75 to 90 percent of the annual average, which promoted recruitment of young birds and an increase in population size.
In western Fresno County and in eastern Kern County, the overall chukar population and production increased due to near average precipitation. Although populations were low at the beginning of the nesting period, survival of young birds was very high in some locations, with an observed ratio of 8.3 young per adult, marking 2008 as a strong recovery year. The total number of chukars counted at sampling sites this year, 641, was a very significant increase over the 170 counted at the same sites in 2007.
Although counts were not made in chukar habitat in Lassen and Modoc counties, results of surveys conducted by the Nevada Department of Wildlife indicate improved survival of young chukars in northern Nevada. This bodes well for chukar numbers in northeastern California counties that border northwestern Nevada.
California Quail
Northstate and northern coastal areas received moderately below average rainfall. Generally, average production and carryover from the previous year produced stable populations of California quail in northern California. Central and south coastal areas and eastern Kern County also received slightly below average annual rainfall, resulting in a reasonable recruitment of quail.
Mountain Quail
Weather conditions provided sufficient moisture to maintain fair habitat conditions in most mountain quail habitat in central and northern California.
Gambel’s Quail
The Mojave Desert received about 90 percent of average annual precipitation last year, resulting in improved habitat conditions for Gambel’s quail and a substantial increase in the survival of young birds over last year. Field observations showed increased numbers in the eastern portions of Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
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Deadline Approaches to Apply for California Game Warden Academy
October 9, 2008
The deadline to apply for the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) game warden academy at Butte College near Chico is Nov. 7. Applicants will be considered for the proposed January 2010 academy.
“Game wardens ensure the future of wildlife resources for the people of California through responsible enforcement of laws, regulations and rules,” said Lt. John Lawson, DFG academy coordinator. “They ensure public safety, keep the homeland secure, respond during natural disasters, investigate illegal commercialization of wildlife, protect the state from pollution and enforce habitat protection laws.”
A typical day for a California game warden is as diverse as the state’s fish and wildlife. Wardens have the opportunity to patrol ocean, desert, mountain and valley environments, as well as California’s urban areas and frequently work independently conducting full scale investigations. Wardens employ everything from ATVs to jetskis to snowmobiles while on patrol, and spend much of their day making contact with Californians in the great outdoors. DFG has a dive team and recently added a K-9 patrol as well. Environmental crimes and pollution incidents also fall under game warden duties. Annually, wardens make contact with more than 295,000 people and issue more than 15,000 citations.
Successful academy applicants will enter a 30-week program, followed by three, one-month training assignments where they will work with a seasoned field training officer.
DFG’s Butte College academy is Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)-certified. This new partnership ensures that cadets are provided with DFG-specific peace officer training. Butte College has a 39-year history of police recruit training and has trained more than 5,000 students through its law enforcement academy. The 928-acre campus, the largest in California, includes a wildlife refuge.
In California, with 159,000 square miles of area that offers habitat and wildlife diversity unequaled by any other state, the average warden has a patrol district of more than 600 square miles. The state has more than 1,100 miles of coastline, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4,800 lakes and reservoirs, three desert habitat areas and scores of high mountain peaks.
More information and applications are available at www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement. Applications must be post dated by Nov. 7. To see more about what game wardens do, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/career to view DFG’s new video.
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Public Comment Sought on Proposal to Restore Paiute Cutthroat Trout to Historic Habitat in California’s Silver King Creek
October 9, 2008
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will hold a public meeting on restoration of Paiute cutthroat trout to historic habitat in Silver King Creek. Paiute cutthroat trout is a threatened species. The meeting is on Oct. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. in Markleeville in Alpine County. DFG in cooperation with the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U. S. Forest Service (USFS), seek written public comment on the proposal and agency representatives will be available to answer questions on the proposed project at the meeting.
DFG and USFWS are preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to evaluate direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of the proposal to restore Paiute cutthroat trout into 9.1 miles of historic habitat currently occupied by non-native trout species. The proposal includes the removal of non-native fish in Silver Creek from Llewellyn Falls downstream to Silver King Canyon, as well as the accessible reaches of three small tributaries: Tamarack Creek, Tamarack Lake Creek and the lower reaches of Coyote Valley Creek. Methods being considered for fish removal include application of rotenone (a piscicide), electrofishing and dewatering, or a combination of these methods.
All interested parties are invited to attend the open-house style meeting to learn more about the EIS/EIR at Turtle Rock Park Community Center at 17300 State Route 89 in Markleeville.
Written public comments will be accepted at the public workshop or by mail until Oct. 31. Comments should be submitted to Stafford Lehr, California Department of Fish and Game, 1701 Nimbus Road, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. More information on the proposed action can be found at www.fws.gov/nevada.
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CA DFG Offers Upland Game Hunting Clinics in September
August 14, 2008
The Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Advanced Hunter Education Program, in conjunction with Quail Unlimited and Wilderness Unlimited, offers two upland game hunting clinics in September. The first clinic is Sept. 13 at the Wilderness Unlimited property in Williams in Northern California, one hour north of Sacramento. The second clinic is Sept. 20 at the High Desert Hunt Club near Gorman in Southern California, one hour north of Los Angeles.
Both clinics are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the cost for each clinic is $40. Interested hunters ages 10 and up are encouraged to attend.
The clinics include information on hunting quail, chukar and pheasant. Topics covered are hunting regulations, huntable lands, proper types of firearms and ammunition, proper clothing, habits and habitats of upland game, hunting alone vs. hunting with others, hunting with or without a dog and dog demonstrations. Topics also covered in the clinics are field first-aid for hunters and dogs, hunter responsibilities and ethics, game care and cooking. These information-packed clinics will offer instruction to beginning hunters in a safe, encouraging atmosphere.
Interested individuals must submit a registration form and space is limited. For more information about the clinics and to obtain a copy of the registration form, please visit the DFG Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/advanced. Registered participants will receive a packet of information approximately two weeks prior to the clinic which includes a map to the facility, agenda and a list of items to bring.
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CA DFG Offers September Waterfowl Hunting Clinics
August 14, 2008
With waterfowl season just around the corner, the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Advanced Hunter Education Program is hosting two waterfowl hunting clinics in September. The first clinic is in Williams in Colusa County on Sept. 20 with a second clinic Sept. 27 at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area in Riverside County.
Both clinics are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the cost of each clinic is $40.
Two experienced instructors, Assistant Chief Mike Carion of DFG’s Northern Enforcement District, and Warden Aaron Freitas will instruct the clinic in Williams. Participants from last year said the waterfowl clinic was comprehensive and helped waterfowlers of all experience levels.
Lifetime waterfowler and vice president of the Pacific Coast Hunter Education Association, Chuck Giordanengo will instruct the clinic at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area.
Topics covered in both clinics are concepts of decoy placement, blind design, ballistics, calling, duck identification, K-9 considerations, gear and garb, game care and cleaning, cooking tips and safety.
Interested individuals must submit a registration form and space is limited. For more information about the clinics and to obtain a copy of the registration form, please visit the DFG Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/advanced or call (530) 347-3980. Registered participants will receive a packet of information approximately two weeks prior to the clinic which includes a map to the facility, agenda and a list of items to bring. The hunting clinics are being done in partnership with Wilderness Unlimited.
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Correction to Two Deadlines in New California Hunting Digest
August 14, 2008
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) California Hunting Digest - Summer Upland Game contains errors regarding application deadlines for 2008 apprentice hunts and wild bird hunts. Only dove hunts have an Aug. 11 application deadline.
On pages 57 and 60, which describe apprentice hunts for pheasants, and the wild bird hunts for quail, chukar, turkey and pheasant, the deadline for applications is listed as Aug. 11. THIS IS INCORRECT. The first deadline for any of these Game Bird Heritage Special Hunts is not until Sept. 1, 2008.
Hunters should check DFG’s Game Bird Heritage Special Hunts Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/uplandgame/gamebird/SpecialHunts, where the details - including correct application deadlines - and electronic application forms for specific hunts will be posted when available.
Aug. 11 is the application deadline for this year’s 13 dove hunts. DFG also plans 11 wild bird hunts and 38 apprentice pheasant hunts this year, with application deadlines starting Sept. 1. All hunts are funded by the Upland Game Bird Stamp, which is required for hunting upland game in California.
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CA DFG Announces Closure of Central Valley Recreational Salmon Fishing
July 2, 2008
The 2008 recreational salmon fishing closures in the Central Valley go into effect Thursday, July 3, 2008 to protect Sacramento River fall Chinook (SRFC) salmon.
No Chinook are allowed to be kept anywhere on the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers or any of their tributaries, including the American and Feather rivers. The only exception is from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 in the Sacramento River between the Red Bluff Diversion Dam and Knights Landing for a one-salmon bag and possession limit.
While catch-and-release fishing for salmon is not prohibited, the salmon regulations were purposely structured as a zero-salmon bag limit to keep fishing open for other non-salmon species. The trout, steelhead, sturgeon, striped bass, black bass, sunfish and catfish fisheries are major recreational inland fisheries in the Central Valley.
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) requests that the public use a very conservative approach toward salmon this year and refrain from any catch-and-release fishing that specifically targets salmon. If the self-regulating conservative approach fails and excessive SRFC catch-and-release mortality is observed, additional regulatory measures may be enacted. One of the possible measures could be closure of all recreational fisheries in the specific areas where SRFC inhabit.
While the salmon season has been closed in the ocean and reduced in the Central Valley, the Smith, Klamath and Trinity rivers remain open to salmon fishing. These temporar