DFG News

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 07:012 Jan. 30, 2007

Contact: Susan Herrgesell, Advanced Hunter Education Program, (530) 347-3980

DFG sponsors 10th Annual Wild Turkey Expo in Sacramento

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will sponsor the 10th annual Wild Turkey Expo on March 3, in Sacramento. Co-sponsored by Wilderness Unlimited and the National Turkey Federation, the event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Dante Club, 2330 Fair Oaks Blvd.

The featured speaker at the event is John Higley, an outdoor writer and veteran turkey hunter. Higley and other experts will speak on where to locate turkeys. He will also talk about turkey habits, the effective use of camouflage, and the best shotguns and archery equipment for turkey hunting.

The expo traditionally attracts a large turnout and features comprehensive information on turkey biology, tips on hunting turkey and maps of available public lands. Sporting goods retail outlets and hunting organizations use the expo as an opportunity to highlight the latest in hunting equipment and opportunities.

DFG will provide lunch at the event and a $5 donation is requested.

Other presenters at the event are Ryan Mathis, regional biologist for the National Wild Turkey Federation, Johnny Waddles, regional chairman for the International Bowhunters Education Program, and Bruce Wurth, champion turkey caller. Mathis will discuss proper shotgun selection, shooting, and use of the proper loads. Waddles will host a seminar on archery hunting for turkeys. Wurth, who also owns American Friction, a company that makes turkey calls, will demonstrate his award winning calls.

DFG wildlife biologist Scott Gardner and other staff members will provide information on hunting and habitat to hunters and naturalists.

The popular expo started more than a decade ago, driven by the healthy turkey population and hunting opportunities for wild turkey in California. For more information, contact Susan Herrgesell, Advanced Hunter Education Program Coordinator, at (530) 347-3980, or e-mail at sherrges@dfg.ca.gov.

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 07:011, Jan. 30, 2007

Contact: Terry Jackson, Steelhead Report Card coordinator, (916) 327-8855

Steelhead Fishing Report Cards Due Jan. 31

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds steelhead anglers that the law requires that they return their 2006 Steelhead Fishing Report Card by Jan. 31. Although violation of the mandatory return requirement is a misdemeanor, its intent is to provide DFG with sufficient data to monitor and manage California’s steelhead populations.

"Unfortunately some anglers see this program and the reporting of their steelhead fishing efforts as a hassle, but their information is critical to maintaining and improving healthy and fishable steelhead populations," said Terry Jackson, coordinator of the Steelhead Report Card Program. "Our goal is to improve California steelhead habitat and populations and to increase steelhead fishing opportunities and success. This requires accurate and complete data from anglers. Steelhead anglers should read their cards carefully, and complete the information as accurately as possible."

The green Steelhead Card is a fishing report, not just a catch report - steelhead anglers must record where and when they fished, even if no fish were caught on a given trip. Those who did not fish for steelhead in 2006 are asked to write "Did Not Fish" on the card. All cards must be returned, regardless of the number of trips taken.

All wild steelhead must be released unharmed, except in the Smith River. Wild steelhead can be identified by their intact adipose fin (a smaller fin on the back between the larger dorsal fin and the tail). Hatchery reared steelhead may be kept in accordance with the regulations in specific waters and are identified by the absence of the adipose fin and a healed scar where the fin had been. Anglers are encouraged to keep the allowable hatchery steelhead limit.

Additional information is available through DFG’s Steelhead Fishing Report Card program Web page: here.

Steelhead Report Cards should be mailed to:

Department of Fish and Game
Steelhead Fishing Report-Restoration Card
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento CA 94244-2090

The cards can also be dropped off at any DFG office. In the Sacramento area, the card can be dropped off at 830 S St., in Sacramento. Frequently Asked Questions are addressed at: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/nafwb/SteelheadReportCardFAQ.html.

Department of Fish and Game NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 06:105 Sep. 20, 2006

Contact: Troy Swauger, Office of Communications, (916) 654-2096
Carrie Wilson, Marine Region, (831) 649-7191

DFG Offers Free Fishing Day on Sept. 23: Plenty of Programs Available for Anglers who Connect with National Pastime

What better way to close out the summer than with a free day of fishing in one of California's gorgeous lakes, streams, waterways or the Pacific Ocean. For the second time this year, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) invites anglers to participate in Free Fishing Day, set for Sept. 23.

The complimentary day of fishing sets aside the normal requirement for anyone 16 years and older to possess a California fishing license. All other fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures, remain in effect. The earlier Free Fishing Day was June 10.

"California has the most spectacular angling opportunities available anywhere in the country," said DFG Director Ryan Broddrick. "DFG's Free Fishing Day is a fantastic chance to enjoy the outdoors and a great day of fishing."

The state offers more than 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4,800 lakes and reservoirs, and 80 major rivers. It also has more than 1,100 miles of coastline, and hundreds of native fish species.

DFG offers several fishing-related programs designed to help everyone enjoy one of the nation's most popular outdoor recreational sports.

For the novice angler, DFG offers Fishing in the City, part of the Urban Fishing Program. The idea began in 1993, to provide fishing opportunities to Californians living in the Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles metropolitan areas. Fishing in the City clinics teach kids how to fish, and provides the chance to fish close to home. DFG stocks dozens of ponds with trout in winter and catfish the rest of the year. More information is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/oceo/fishcity/.

For those more confident in the fishing experience, DFG offers the California Heritage Trout Challenge. The Challenge tests anglers' ability to catch six different forms of California native trout from their historic drainages. Successful anglers can receive a personalized certificate, featuring beautiful artwork of renowned fish illustrator Joseph Tomelleri. Part of the Challenge includes learning more about the state's native trout, where people can find them, and what DFG has done to conserve and restore these heritage trout. More information is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/fishing/html/WildAndHeritageTrout/WHTrout_0.htm

Free Fishing Day can also help launch new anglers into the Department's new fishing incentive and angler recognition program called the California Fishing Passport program. The program, which just completed a three-stage summer pilot program geared just to children, will highlight all of the state's fishing opportunities within ocean waters, lakes and reservoirs, streams and rivers, and the delta system.

More than 1,000 kids have already gotten a headstart on this program.

The official Passport program kicks-off for people of all ages and skill levels in January 2007. With a passport booklet as a guide, all anglers will be encouraged to catch all of the different sport fish species that occur in the state. More than 150 different species of freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and a number of ocean shellfish species can be found in California and are included as part of the Passport Challenge. Look for the new California Fishing Passport books to be available free of charge beginning Jan. 1. More information is available at www.fishingpassport.org.

Free Fishing Day has served as a springboard for people to connect to the tradition of fishing. Statistics from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicate that more than 44 million Americans consider themselves anglers, with the largest portion coming from California.

The national pastime contributed toward a $116 billion-a-year impact on the nation's economy, with only swimming considered more popular as an outdoor recreational activity.

For those who catch the fishing bug after the upcoming free opportunity, DFG offers several options to keep the fishing line flying.

DFG's License and Revenue Branch offers a one- and two-day license. A full year sport fishing license for California residents is $34.90. Fees for licenses that are available from license agents include 5 percent license agent handling fee.

Serious anglers - or anglers who want to become serious - can save money by purchasing a lifetime license. DFG bases lifetime license fees on the licensee's age at the time of purchase as follows: Birth to 9 years, $300; age 10 to 39, $495; age 40 to 61, $445; age 62 and older, $300.

Department of Fish and Game News Release for Immediate Release May. 11, 06

Contact: Patrick Foy, DFG Office of Communications, (916) 825-7120

Public Access to Nimbus Hatchery Reduced to Help Maintain Fish Health

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has temporarily closed portions of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery to prevent a fish virus from spreading to neighboring hatcheries. An outbreak of Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN), which does not affect humans or animals other than fish from the trout and salmon family, has killed approximately 600,000 juvenile salmon at the hatchery. The ponds and fish rearing buildings will be closed to public access through the end of June to minimize the chance that people will touch the water and transfer the virus inadvertently to the American River Trout Hatchery.

"Our efforts will be focused on preventing spread of the disease to neighboring American River Hatchery," said DFG fish pathologist Dr. Bill Cox. "One long-term effect might be the possibility of not meeting our mitigation goals at Nimbus Hatchery for this year. We can't yet predict how it will affect fishing opportunities."

Additional measures DFG is currently taking to prevent disease include segregating fish wherever possible and using only specific tools for each pond to avoid cross contamination. The Nimbus Hatchery Visitor's Center will remain open as usual from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The mitigation goal at Nimbus Hatchery is four million salmon, which is the number of fish that would be expected from natural spawning if Nimbus Dam did not block access to historical spawning habitat.

The hatchery's fish will be planted in brackish and salt water of the San Francisco Bay in late June, bypassing the Delta altogether. Fish carrying the virus will still be safe for people to eat, and many fish caught during the salmon season are carriers.

IHN outbreaks have been known since the Sacramento Valley hatcheries were constructed alongside the dams in the 1950s. The disease is endemic to Central Valley rivers and was once called Sacramento River Chinook Disease due to its prevalence in the Sacramento watershed. The three major hatcheries on the Sacramento River system--Nimbus Hatchery, Feather River Hatchery, and Coleman National Fish Hatchery--have all experienced IHN outbreaks at one time or another. There is no known cure for IHN and long term effects are managed by attempting to keep the hatchery free of IHN and other fish diseases.

Department of Fish and Game

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 06:051 May. 11, 06

Contacts: Scott Barrow, Senior Marine Biologist, (916) 651-7670
Steve Martarano, Office of Communications, (916) 654-5866

Recreational Ocean Salmon Fisheries Set to Open North of Eureka May 15

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) today announced that the remainder of California's recreational ocean salmon season will open May 15. The season will open in northern waters from Horse Mountain to the Oregon border, which includes Eureka and Crescent City, and will remain open in ocean waters along the central and southern California coast (see details below).

"The Pacific Fishery Management Council's public process concerning ocean salmon fisheries and how to manage for the low numbers of returning Klamath spawners led to the decision to allow for limited seasons without compromising the overall health of the resource," said DFG Director Ryan Broddrick.

The California Fish and Game Commission at its meeting earlier this month in Kings Beach adopted state regulations for state waters (shore to three miles), effectively conforming to the federal regulations allowing for a limited sport take of salmon off the California coast.

"The salmon seasons and regulations are now consistent for both federal and state waters," Broddrick said. "Recreational ocean salmon fishing is extremely popular and we are pleased to have the seasons open."

The Commission action stems from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) late April emergency action to allow for limited salmon seasons off the coasts of California and Oregon. Federal recreational and federal and state commercial seasons started on May 1. The Office of Administrative Law is expected to approve the state's emergency sport regulations (for state waters) in time for the Eureka and Crescent City openers on May 15.

The Recreational Ocean Salmon Regulations are as follows:

North of Horse Mountain and Humboldt Bay (Eureka) ocean waters are open beginning May 15 through July 4; and Sept. 1 through Sept. 6. Two salmon (no coho) per day are allowed, with a minimum size of 24 inches in total length.

Between Horse Mountain and Point Arena ocean waters are open now through June 4; June 7 - June 11; June 14 - June 18; June 21 - June 25; June 28 - July 9; July 15 and 16; July 22 and 23; and July 26 - Nov. 12. Two salmon (no coho) per day are allowed, with a minimum size of 20 inches total length.

Between Point Arena and Pigeon Point ocean waters are open now through June 11; June 14 - July 9; July 12 - Nov. 12. Two salmon per day are allowed, with a minimum size of 20 inches total length.

South of Pigeon Point ocean waters are open now through Sept. 24. Two salmon (no coho) per day are allowed with a minimum size of 20 inches total length.

In March, the Council had considered a complete closure of all salmon fisheries due to an extremely low projected ocean abundance of Klamath River fall Chinook salmon, which are mixed with healthier stocks along the 700-mile stretch of the Oregon-California coast. However, after receiving public comments (5,000 written comments alone) and additional scientific review, the Council recommended and the NMFS approved a limited take of salmon (both sport and commercial) without jeopardizing the long-term productivity of the stock.

For the current recreational ocean salmon regulations, seasons and gear restrictions, log on to www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/oceansalmon.html.

Department of Fish and Game News Release for Immediate Release 06:049 May 8, 2006

Contact: Lt. Steve Riske, DFG, (707) 838-6930
Troy Swauger, Communications Office, (916) 654-2096

DFG's First Abalone Checkpoint of the Season Results in 66 Citations

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens contacted 1,112 people and seized 79 abalones during an abalone checkpoint last month in Sonoma County. The checkpoint, the first of four planned abalone checkpoints in May and June along Northern California's coast, resulted in 66 citations for a variety of abalone-related infractions.

"Checkpoints provide a method to help DFG educate the public about laws, regulations, and resource conditions," said DFG Lt. Steve Riske, the April 30 operation commander. "They can also prevent, discourage, and allow for the detection of violations, and apprehend violators of fish and game laws."

Abalone season opened on April 1 along the state's north coast. Divers can take red abalone, Haliotis rufescens, only north of San Francisco Bay, and only by hand without the use of scuba equipment. Regulations allow the take of three abalones each day, with no more than 24 during the season. There remains no commercial take of abalone, and California has banned all abalone harvest south of San Francisco since 1997.

Riske said wardens routinely conduct checkpoints during abalone season along the coastlines of Sonoma and Mendocino counties. DFG plans at least one more checkpoint later in May and two in June that will target the "Lost Coast," the region north of Rockport marked by its inaccessibility and sheer cliffs that dominate the rocky shoreline. Well hidden with few paths to the water's edge, wardens know the area draws abalone poachers who wish to hide from the watchful eyes of honest people.

Wardens caught two people who were sneaking 19 abalones in a soft-sided ice chest that they hid behind the seat of their truck. Both face possible felony conspiracy charges with the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office related to the illegal take of abalone.

DFG had 33 wardens on scene at Russian Gulch in Sonoma County. They worked with five Department of Parks and Recreation rangers, a Sonoma County Sheriff's deputy, and a ranger from the county's Regional Park Department.

Wardens stopped 403 vehicles during the six-hour operation. In addition to the abalone, wardens seized 130 illegally taken turban snails, two greenling, and 36 pounds of mussels.

Wardens used metal gauges to measure the size of each abalone. They scrutinize the tools used by the harvesters, ensuring that abalone irons are at least 36 inches long with no sharp edges. They also check that divers remove no mollusk from its dense shell, a violation of the Fish and Game Code.

The majority of violations stemmed from divers failure to complete the required abalone report card permits. DFG cited a dozen people for possession of abalone out of the shell, five people tried to alter the report cards, and four people had abalone too small to be legal.

"The vast majority of the people we contact during these checkpoints are positive towards the effort of the Department," Riske said. "The two main comments we get from people are that they are glad we're out there, and they wish we would do more of them."

Other violations included no fishing licenses, over limits of invertebrates, and pollution near state waters. There was also a pair of health and safety, and vehicle code violations cited during the checkpoint.

Avian Flu

Hi Folks,

You've probably been reading about avian flu, maybe even planning to watch the movie.

Here's information from DFG on our response preparedness, some facts and important contact numbers, and links to other resources.

Randy

The highly pathogenic form of avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) has received a great deal of media attention in the last year. Although it is primarily found in domestic poultry, it can also infect other birds, both domestic and wild, and to a lesser extent, mammals. News of the transmission of this disease to humans in Asia and Eastern Europe who have had close contact with an infected bird has generated great public interest and concern, and on May 9th, ABC will feature a TV movie about an American businessman who contracts avian influenza during a trip to Asia and then returns to the U.S. The storyline explores a hypothetical mutation of the HPAI H5N1 virus making it transmittable between humans. The HPAI H5N1 strain of avian influenza has not been found to be transmittable between humans and it has not been detected in North America; however, the potential for its introduction by wild migratory birds or smuggled domestic birds into the U.S. and California is very real. Should this happen, the primary focus will be on human health and domestic poultry exposure, and the state and federal agencies responsible for these areas are actively preparing for such an event. DFG is also taking steps to prepare for a potential occurrence of this form of avian influenza in wild birds that have migrated to California. Staff from the Executive Office and WIFD participate on avian influenza work teams with other state and federal departments and agencies, as well as the Governor's Office. The Wildlife Programs Branch has included testing and monitoring for HPAI H5N1 in its routine testing of wild birds and is finalizing a response plan should the disease be detected. A Budget Change Proposal for additional resources to improve wild bird surveillance has been submitted and includes a request for approximately $1.1 million to fund temporary help and field laboratory equipment. The Office of Communication, Education and Outreach (OCEO) has put together a communication plan, which includes the creation of a website at www.dfg.ca.gov/avianflu and a fact sheet to provide up-to-date factual information to DFG employees and the public about the disease, preventative measures and what to do if sick or dead birds are discovered. It also establishes a communication strategy should HPAI H5N1 reach California. A copy of the current fact sheet is attached, and the entire communication plan can be viewed on the DFG intranet at http://dfgintranet.dfg.ca.gov/oceo/avianflu/dfg_avian_flu.doc. These documents and the website are intended to help keep DFG staff informed and to also be used as resource tools by staff to help in responding to public inquiries about avian influenza and wild birds, which may increase following the airing of the TV movie. The public can also be directed to the website and provided the fact sheet. Questions regarding human health or domestic animal matters should be referred to the Department of Health Services at 916-650-6416 and the Department of Food and Agriculture at 916-654-0462, respectively. All reports of possible HPAI H5N1 detection in wild birds should be directed to OCEO staffers Bernadette Fees at 916-653-2741 or Patrick Foy at 916-651-9130 or Alexia Retallack at 916-653-8124. All media calls should be directed to Patrick or Alexia. As new information becomes available, the website and fact sheet will be updated to keep you informed.

DFG Announces Expanded Ocean Bottomfishing Opportunities for Sport Anglers

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mar. 28, 06

Contact:

Carrie Wilson, DFG Office of Communications, (831) 649-7191
Ed Roberts, Marine Region, (707) 441-5757

DFG Announces Expanded Ocean Bottomfishing Opportunities for Sport Anglers

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) today announced that it will extend the 2006 recreational groundfish (bottomfish) season in many areas of the state.

"The California Recreational Fisheries Survey is the best scientific method available for evaluating catch in our recreational ocean fisheries," said DFG's Director Ryan Broddrick. "Just as was the case in 2005, the Department will continue to make additional fishing opportunities available when the changes are supported by accurate data."

These in-season regulation changes are based on complete 2005 sport catch data received from the new California Recreational Fisheries Survey (CRFS) and are made under the authority granted to the Director by the Fish and Game Commission. Catch data show that these additional opportunities are possible while still remaining within state and federal harvest quotas.

As a result, the following seasons and depth restrictions, listed by management area are:

Northern Management Area (Oregon border to 40 degrees 10 minutes north latitude):

Rockfish, cabezon, greenlings (RCG Complex) and other federal groundfish (other than lingcod): Open to boat-based anglers from May 1 through Dec. 31 in waters from 0-30 fathoms (0-180 feet).

Lingcod: Open to boat-based anglers from May 1 through Nov. 30 in waters from 0-30 fathoms (0-180 feet).

North-Central Management Area (40 degrees 10 minutes north latitude to 37 degrees 11 minutes north latitude):

RCG Complex and other federal groundfish (other than lingcod): Open to boat-based anglers from July 1 through Dec. 31 in waters from 0-20 fathoms (0-120 feet).

Lingcod: Open to boat-based anglers from July 1 through Nov. 30 in waters from 0-20 fathoms (0-120 feet).

Monterey South-Central Management Area (37 degrees 11 minutes north latitude to 36 degrees north latitude):

RCG Complex, other federal groundfish (other than lingcod), California sheephead and ocean whitefish: Open to boat-based anglers from July 1 through Dec. 31 in waters from 0-20 fathoms (0-120 feet).

Lingcod: Open to boat-based anglers from July 1 through Nov. 30 in waters from 0-20 fathoms (0-120 feet).

Unusual Plants at Lake Oroville

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 05:126 Dec. 22, 05

Contact: Dennis Lee, Fisheries Program Branch (916) 358-2833

Troy Swauger, Office of Communications, (916) 654-2096

DFG Plants Catchable-Sized Coho Salmon at Lake Oroville Washington-Raised salmon soon to be in the one-pound range

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is offering a holiday gift to northern California anglers by stocking Lake Oroville with 7,500 larger-than-normal Coho salmon. One Coho plant was made on Dec. 21, and a second will be made on Dec. 28. The drop is part of a planting program that began in November

2005 and will stock 60,000 Washington-raised Coho salmon at the reservoir.

"These fish are 7 to 10 inches long, twice the normal size for most salmon stocking operations," said Dennis Lee, supervising biologist in DFG's Fisheries Program Branch. "They're going to hit the water with their mouths open, ready to start feeding."

As part of the Inland Salmon Program, DFG worked with the Department of Water Resources to supply Lake Oroville with catchable-sized salmon that will be ready for the take by spring 2006. The state coordinated with a Washington-based company, Aquaseed Inc., to raise the salmon and then truck the fish to the reservoir. Aquaseed Inc., is a major fish producer that has supplied Coho salmon eggs twice before to DFG hatcheries. The company transports the fish in a refrigerated and aerated fish-hauling tank that is mounted on a truck. Releasing the fish takes time, as specialists must equalize the temperatures between the stocking truck and the lake water.

"Even though anglers can look at these plants as a holiday present from DFG, they will still need to wait about four months to truly reap the benefit,"

said Lee. "By that time the salmon will be 12 to 14 inches."

The Lake Oroville operation differs from DFG's traditional fish planting efforts that place catchable fish for anglers. Fish from previous stocking operations of other species at the reservoir were beset by disease. Coho salmon were resistant to the most destructive disease but susceptible to bacterial kidney disease. DFG found it difficult to maintain a consistent source of disease-free Coho eggs for production and stocking, and chose to purchase out-of-state Coho as fish, rather than eggs, for this program.

"This has been a complex process of certifying disease-free fish so we can continue providing fishing opportunities at this popular northern California spot," said Walt Beer, a DFG associate fisheries biologist.

DFG plants combinations of fingerling, subcatchable, and catchable-sized fish in lakes and reservoirs. The Inland Salmon Program often uses fingerling-size fish because the smaller fish are more economical to plant as opposed to larger catchable-sized fish.

DFG's Fresh Water Fishing Guide now On-line

Thinking about going fishing but aren't sure where to go? Try the Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) improved Fresh Water Fishing Guide on the Internet. DFG has improved the popular fishing guide and has made it available as an interactive Internet tool.

Click here to view The Fishing Guide.

In the past, the fishing guide program required downloading to individual computers and was particularly slow for some users. The new version is a web-based application accessible with an Internet browser.

The Fresh Water Fishing Guide is an amazing fishing resource that provides information for more than 700 easily accessible fishing locations that provide excellent fishing opportunities. Many of the locations represent waters where DFG has stocked hatchery trout, or where other fish species are available. Each location includes driving instructions, and available camping, lodging, and boating facilities. It also lists the types of fish likely to be caught.

The interactive search tools allow the user to view the entire state, zoom in, and pan around to different areas. Using the computer's zoom tool provides topographic map details of the selected areas that include streams, lakes, roads, communities, elevations and other details.

Alternatively, the user can select a specific body of water by name from the dropdown list and view the related information.

Along with the written driving instructions and map displays, the guide represents an excellent trip-planning tool for anyone seeking freshwater fishing opportunities in California.

DFG Workshop on Blue-Green Algae in Klamath River Basin

There is an interesting report on the Klamath River.