Species Regulations

Amphibians (T14 CCR §5.05)

(a) Only the following amphibians may be taken under the authority of a sportfishing license, subject to the restrictions in this section. No amphibians may be taken from ecological reserves designated by the commission in Section 630 or from state parks, or national parks or monuments.

(b) Limit: The limit for each of the species listed below is four, unless otherwise provided. Limit, as used in this section, means daily bag and possession limit.

(1) Coastal giant salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus

(2) Rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa)

(3) Northwestern salamander (Ambystoma gracile)

(4) Black salamander (Aneides flavipunctatus), except Santa Cruz black salamander (Aneides flavipunctatus niger): See Special Closure (f)(1) (5) Clouded salamander (Aneides ferreus)

(6) Wandering salamander (Aneides vagrans)

(7) Arboreal salamander (Aneides lugubris)

(8) California slender salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus)

(9) Southern California slender salamander (Batrachoseps major), except desert slender salamander (Batrachoseps major aridus): See Special Closure (f)(2)

(10) Dunn’s salamander (Plethodon dunni)

(11) Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii)

(12) Western toad (Anaxyrus boreas)

(13) Woodhouse’s toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii)

(14) Red-spotted toad (Anaxyrus punctatus)

(15) Great Plains toad (Anaxyrus cognatus)

(16) Great Basin spadefoot (Spea intermontana)

(17) California treefrog (Pseudacris cadaverina)

(18) Pacific treefrog (Pseudacris regilla)

(19) Baja California treefrog (Pseudacris hypochondriaca)

(20) Sierran treefrog (Pseudacris sierra)

(21) Southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus): Limit: No limit.

(22) Rio Grande leopard frog (Lithobates berlandieri): Limit: No limit.

(23) American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus): Limit: No limit

(c) Open season: All year. The season closures in Chapter 3 (District Trout and Salmon District General Regulations and Special Regulations) do not apply to fishing for amphibians with methods other than hook and line (see sections 7.00 and 7.50(a)(3)).

(d) Hours: Amphibians may be taken at any time of day or night.

(e) Methods of take:

(1) Amphibians may be taken only by hand, hand-held dip net, or hook and line, except bullfrogs may also be taken by lights, spears, gigs, grabs, paddles, bow and arrow, or fishing tackle.

(2) It is unlawful to use any method or means of collecting that involves breaking apart of rocks, granite flakes, logs, or other shelters in or under which amphibians may be found.

(f) Special closures

(1) No black salamanders (Aneides flavipunctatus) may be taken in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties.

(2) No Southern California slender salamanders (Batrachoseps major) may be taken from the Santa Rosa Mountains in Riverside County.

Candlefish or Eulachon (T14 CCR §5.10)

(a) Candlefish or Eulachon may not be taken or possessed.

Catfish and Bullheads (T14 CCR §5.15)

(a) Open season: All year, except for closures listed under special regulations.

(b) Limit: Bullheads, no limit; all other catfish, no limit, except as follows:

Special Regulations for Catfish

(1) River District

(2) Southern District not listed below

(3) Alameda County

(4) Contra Costa County

(5) Inyo County

(6) Los Angeles County

(7) Mono County

(8) San Bernardino County

(9) San Diego County

(10) San Joaquin County

(11) Santa Clara County

(c) Carcasses:

In the Colorado River and its backwaters, the carcasses of all catfish and bullheads imported, possessed or transported must have either the head, tail or skin attached so that the species can be identified and numbers can be determined until such fish are being prepared for immediate consumption.

Clams, Freshwater (T14 CCR §5.20)

(a) Open season: All year, except for closures listed under special regulations.

(b) Limit: Fifty pounds (in the shell).

(c) Methods of take: Freshwater clams may be taken only by hand, or by spade, shovel, hoe, rake or other appliance operated by hand.

(d) The season closures in Chapter 3 (Trout, Salmon and Special Regulations) do not apply to freshwater clam fishing (see subsection 7.50(a)(3)).

Corvina in the Salton Sea (T14 CCR §5.25)

(a) Open season: All year.

(b) Bag limit: Two.

(c) Possession Limit: Four.

(d) Minimum size limit: 18 inches total length.

Gulf Croaker and Sargo in the Salton Sea (T14 CCR §5.26)

(a) Open season: All year.

(b) Daily bag limit: Six each species.

(c) Possession limit: 12 each species.

(d) Size limit: None.

Crappie (T14 CCR §5.30)

See Section 5.82 for the combined sunfish and crappie bag limit regulations.

Crayfish (T14 CCR §5.35)

(a) Open season: All year, except for closures listed in subsection (d) of this Section.

(b) Limit: No limit.

(c) Methods of take: Crayfish may be taken only by hand, hook and line, dip net or with traps not over three feet in greatest dimension. Any other species taken shall be returned to the water immediately. Traps need not be closely attended.

(d) Closures for Protection of Shasta Crayfish: Rock Creek (in the Hat Creek Drainage in Shasta County), Fall River upstream of Spring Creek Bridge, Lava Creek, Tule River and all connected waters upstream of Little Tule River, Sucker Springs Creek, Crystal Lake, Rising River and Rising River Lake are closed to take and possession of crayfish. (See Section 4.30 for prohibition against crayfish use for bait in sections of the Pit River). (e) The season closures in Chapter 3 (District Trout and Salmon Special Regulations) do not apply to crayfish fishing with methods other than hook and line (see sections 7.00 and 7.50(a)(3)).

Grass Carp (T14 CCR §5.37)

(a) No grass carp may be taken or possessed at any time, except that any grass carp inadvertently taken must be immediately returned unharmed to the water.

(b) Exception for Siskiyou and Shasta Counties for any waters, within the Sacramento River drainage above and including Lake Shasta: All grass carp taken shall be killed immediately by removing the head and shall be retained by the angler. The angler shall notify CDFW that he/she has taken and possesses a grass carp by calling CDFW’s telephone number (1-530-225-2278) as soon as possible, but not more than 24 hours after taking the grass carp.

Lamprey (T14 CCR §5.40)

(a) Open season: All year, except for closures listed under district or special regulations.

(b) Limit: Five.

(c) Methods of take: Lamprey may be taken only by hand, hook, spear, bow and arrow fishing tackle, or dip net. (d) The season closures in Chapter 3 (District Trout and Salmon Special Regulations) do not apply to lamprey fishing with methods other than hook and line (see sections 7.00 and 7.50(a)(3)).

Landlocked Salmon (T14 CCR §5.41)

(a) Open season: All year

(b) Daily bag limit: Five

(c) Possession limit: Ten

(e) Size limit: None.

(f) Exceptions:

(1) Bucks Lake (Plumas Co.), New Bullards Bar Reservoir (Yuba Co.) Pardee Lake (Amador Co.), and Trinity Lake (Trinity Co.), which shall be subject to the following limits:

(A) Daily bag limit: Ten.

(B) Possession limit: Twenty.

Marine Fin Fish, Mollusks and Crustaceans (T14 CCR §5.45)

Marine fin fish, mollusks and crustaceans taken in lagoons and tidal waters are subject to the bag and possession limits established for the Ocean and San Francisco Bay District (beginning with Section 27.00). See the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.

Mountain Whitefish (T14 CCR §5.50)

(a) Open season: No mountain whitefish may be taken in any water except when trout may be taken in such water.

(b) Limit: Five.

Northern Pike (T14 CCR §5.51)

No northern pike, dead or alive, may be released into any water at any time. All northern pike taken shall be killed immediately by removing the head and shall be retained by the angler. The angler shall notify CDFW that he/she has taken and possesses a northern pike by calling CDFW’s CalTIP telephone number (1-888-CDFW-CALTIP) as soon as possible, but not more than 24 hours after taking the northern pike. The angler shall maintain the head and body of the fish in a refrigerated or frozen condition, whenever possible, until CDFW collects the northern pike.

Reptiles (T14 CCR §5.60)

(a) Only the following reptiles may be taken under the authority of a sportfishing license, subject to the restrictions in this section. No sportfishing license is required for the sport take of any rattlesnake, but bag and possession limits do apply. No reptiles shall be taken from ecological reserves designated by the commission in Section 630 or from state parks, or national parks or monuments.

(b) Limit: The limit for each of the species listed below is two, unless otherwise provided. Limit, as used in this section, means daily bag and possession limit.

(1) Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta): Limit: No limit.

(2) Pond slider (Trachemys scripta): Limit: No limit.

(3) Spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera): Limit: No limit.

(4) Western banded gecko (Coleonyx variegatus), except San Diego banded gecko (Coleonyx variegatus abbotti): See Special Closure (f )(1)

(5) Desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)

(6) Common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater)

(7) Zebra-tailed lizard (Callisaurus draconoides)

(8) Desert spiny lizard (Sceloporus magister)

(9) Granite spiny lizard (Sceloporus orcutti) (10) Western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis): Limit: Species No. 10 -14 have a limit of twenty-five (25) in the aggregate

(11) Common sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus): Limit: Species No. 10-14 have a limit of twenty-five (25) in the aggregate

(12) Common side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana): Limit: Species No. 10-14 have a limit of twenty-five (25) in the aggregate

(13) Western skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus): Limit: Species No. 10-14 have a limit of twenty-five (25) in the aggregate (14) Desert night lizard (Xantusia vigilis), except Sierra night lizard (Xantusia (vigilis) sierrae): See Special Closure (f )(2): Limit: Species in subsections (10) through

(14) have a limit of twenty-five (25) in the aggregate

(15) Long-tailed brush lizard (Urosaurus graciosus)

(16) Ornate tree lizard (Urosaurus ornatus)

(17) Baja California brush lizard (Urosaurus nigricaudus)

(18) Desert horned lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)

(19) Pygmy short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma douglasii)

(20) Great Basin collared lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores) Mearns’ rock lizard (Petrosaurus mearnsi)

(21) Baja California collared lizard (Crotaphytus vestigium)

(22) Long-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia wislizenii)

(23) Gilbert’s skink (Plestiodon gilberti)

(24) Tiger whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris)

(25) Southern alligator lizard (Elgaria multicarinata)

(26) Northern alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea)

(27) Northern rubber boa (Charina bottae): See Special Closure (f)(3)

(28) Northern three-lined boa (Lichanura orcutti)

(29) Ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus), except Regal ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus regalis): See Special Closure (f)(4)

(30) Common sharp-tailed snake (Contia tenuis)

(31) Forest sharp-tailed snake (Contia longicauda)

(32) Spotted leaf-nosed snake (Phyllorhynchus decurtatus)

(33) North American racer (Coluber constrictor)

(34) Coachwhip (Coluber flagellum), except San Joaquin Coachwhip (Coluber (Masticophis) flagellum ruddocki): See Special Closure (f)(5)

(35) Striped whipsnake (Coluber taeniatus)

(36) Striped racer (Coluber lateralis), except Alameda striped racer (whipsnake) (Coluber (Masticophis) lateralis euryxanthus): See Special Closure (f)(6)

(37) Western patch-nosed snake (Salvadora hexalepis), except coast patch-nosed snake (Salvadora hexalepis virgultea): See Special Closure (f)(7)

(38) Glossy snake (Arizona elegans), except California glossy snake (Arizona elegans occidentalis): See Special Closure (f)(8)

(39) Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer): Limit: Four (4)

(40) California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae): Limit: Four (4)

(41) California mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata), except San Diego mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata pulchra) and San Bernardino mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata parvirubra): Limit: One (1). See Special Closure: (f)(9)

(42) Long-nosed snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei)

(43) Common gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis), except SanFrancisco gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) and South Coast gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis spp.): See Special Closure (f)(10)

(44) Terrestrial gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans)

(45) Sierra gartersnake (Thamnophis couchii)

(46) Aquatic gartersnake (Thamnophis atratus)

(47) Northwestern gartersnake (Thamnophis ordinoides)

(48) Checkered gartersnake (Thamnophis marcianus)

(49) Western groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)

(50) Western shovel-nosed snake (Chionactis occipitalis)

(51) Western black-headed snake (Tantilla planiceps)

(52) Smith’s black-headed snake (Tantilla hobartsmithi)

(53) Sonoran lyresnake (Trimorphodon lambda)

(54) California lyresnake (Trimorphodon lyrophanes)

(55) Desert nightsnake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea)

(56) Coast nightsnake (Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha)

(57) Western threadsnake (Rena humilis)

(58) Western diamond-backed rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)

(59) Mohave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)

(60) Western rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)

(61) Speckled rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii)

(62) Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)

(63) Panamint rattlesnake (Crotalus stephensi)

(64) Red diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber): Limit: Zero (0)

(c) Open season: All year.

(d) Hours: Reptiles may be taken at any time of day or night.

(e) Methods of take:

(1) Reptiles may be taken only by hand, except as provided in subsections (e)(2) and (3) below, or by the following hand-operated devices:

(A) Lizard nooses.

(B) Snake tongs.

(C) Snake hooks.

(2) Rattlesnakes may be taken by any method.

(3) Turtles may be taken by hook and line. Fishing methods described in Section 2.00 apply to the take of spiny softshell turtles, slider turtles and painted turtles.

(4) It is unlawful to use any method or means of collecting that involves breaking apart of rocks, granite flakes, logs or other shelters in or under which reptiles may be found.

(f) Special Closures:

(1) No geckos (Coleonyx variegatus) may be taken in San Diego County south and west of Highway 79 to its junction with County Road S-2, and south and west of County Road S-2 to the eastern San Diego County border.

(2) No night lizards (Xantusia vigilis) may be taken in Kern County.

(3) No rubber boas (Charina bottae or Charina umbratica) may be taken in Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

(4) No ring-necked snakes (Diadophis punctatus) may be taken in San Bernardino and Inyo counties.

(5) No coachwhips (Coluber flagellum) may be taken in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Stanislaus, and Tulare.

(6) No striped racers (Coluber lateralis) may be taken in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

(7) No patch-nosed snakes (Salvadora hexalepis) may be taken in the following counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

(8) No glossy snakes (Arizona elegans) may be taken in the following counties: Alameda, Fresno, Imperial (west of Hwy 111), Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside (southwest of Hwy 111 and I-10), San Benito, San Bernardino (West of I-215 and Hwy 138), San Diego, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara and Tulare.

(9) No California mountain kingsnakes (Lampropeltis zonata) may be taken in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties.

(10) No common gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) may be taken in San Mateo, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, and Ventura counties.

Shad, American (T14 CCR §5.65)

(a) Open season: All year, except for closures listed under special regulations.

(b) Limit: Twenty-five.

(c) Methods of take: Shad may be taken only by angling, except that a dip net may be used in the Valley District.

Also see section 2.30 for other methods of take.

Splittail, Sacramento (T14 CCR §5.70)

(a) Open season: All year, except for closures listed under district or special regulations.

(b) Limit: Two

(c) Methods of take: Splittail may be only taken by angling.

Striped Bass (T14 CCR §5.75)

(a) Open season: All year except for closures listed in special regulations.

(b) Limit: Two, except in waters listed in (d) below.

(c) Minimum size: 18 inches total length except in waters listed in (d) below.

(d) Exceptions:

(1) In the Colorado River District, the Southern District, and New Hogan, San Antonio and Santa Margarita lakes

(A) Limit: Ten.

(B) Minimum size: No size limit.

(e) For the purpose of these regulations, any striped bass hybrid with white bass is considered to be striped bass.

White Sturgeon Report Card and Tagging Requirements for Inland Waters (T14 CCR §5.79)

(a) Sturgeon Fishing Report Card Required. All anglers must have a valid Sturgeon Fishing Report Card in their possession while fishing for or taking white sturgeon. Cardholders must complete and return the card pursuant to regulations in this Section and in Section 1.74.

(b) Tagging and Recording Requirements for Retained Fish. A Sturgeon Fishing Report Card includes a detachable tag that shall be used to tag any white sturgeon that is taken and retained in the sport fishery. Any white sturgeon possessed by any person shall be tagged.

(1) Upon taking and retaining a white sturgeon, the cardholder shall immediately record the following information:

(A) The fishing location, time of catch and length of the fish shall be recorded legibly and permanently in the appropriate spaces on the tag. The cardholder shall immediately and completely punch out the date of catch (month and day) on the sturgeon tag.

(B) The month, day, fishing location and length of the fish shall be recorded in the appropriate spaces on the Sturgeon Fishing Report Card.

(2) Immediately after recording the information above, the cardholder shall remove and completely detach the tag from the card and affix it to the White Sturgeon. Cardholders shall not wait until completion of fishing activity to tag any White Sturgeon in possession.

(3) The tag shall be securely fastened to the fish. To affix the tag, a “zip tie”, string, line or other suitable material shall be passed through the tag at the location specified on the sturgeon tag and attached to the fish.

(4)The tag shall not be removed from the report card until immediately prior to affixing to a White Sturgeon. Any tags detached from the report card and not affixed to a White Sturgeon shall be considered used and therefore invalid. No person shall possess any used or otherwise invalid sturgeon tags. (5) Records of Prior Activity. The tag must be accounted for at all times by entry of a record on the Sturgeon Fishing Report Card. Any tag that was lost or destroyed shall be recorded as such on the corresponding line on the Sturgeon Fishing Report Card.

(6) If the sturgeon has a department reward disk attached, write the reward disk number in the space provided on the report card.

(7) After retaining and tagging a White Sturgeon, a cardholder shall not continue to fish catch and release for White Sturgeon on the same day.

(8) Cardholders that have retained and tagged a White Sturgeon are permitted to catch and release White Sturgeon starting on the day after the tag was used.

(c) Reporting Requirements for Released Fish.

(1) Whenever the cardholder catches and releases a sturgeon, the cardholder shall immediately record the month, day, location code, length, and species of sturgeon.

(2) If all lines in the “sturgeon released” field of the report card are filled, any additional sturgeon caught and released may be recorded on the back of the card. If the sturgeon has a department reward disk attached, write the reward disk number in the space provided on the report card.

(d) Sturgeon tags must be left affixed to the fish in place, including while stored at a residence or non-transient location, until the fish is processed for immediate consumption.

(e) The annual fee for the Sturgeon Fishing Report Card is specified in subsection 701(c).

Sturgeon Fishing Closure Note:

The Sacramento River from the Keswick Dam down to the Hwy 162 Bridge is closed to sturgeon fishing all year. No take or possession of sturgeon is allowed in this closed area. There will be no allowance for any catch and release fishing that targets sturgeon in this closed area of the Sacramento River. As a reminder, Section 1.80 defines take as “Hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill fish, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans or invertebrates or attempting to do so.”

White Sturgeon Catch and Release Sport Fishing for Inland Waters (T14 CCR §5.78)

Notwithstanding sections 5.79 and 5.80, white sturgeon may not be taken in inland waters statewide except as authorized below.

(a) Open season

(1) From October 1 through June 30: from the west Carquinez Bridge east to downstream of the confluence of the Feather River on the Sacramento River and downstream of the I-5 bridge on the San Joaquin River.

(2) From October 1 through December 31: upstream of the confluence of the Feather River to the Highway 162 Bridge on the Sacramento River and upstream of the I-5 bridge on the San Joaquin River.

(b) Daily limit: zero fish

(c) Annual bag limit: zero fish per calendar year statewide.

(d) Methods of take: Only one single point, single shank, barbless hook shall be used on a line when taking sturgeon. The sturgeon must voluntarily take the bait or lure inside its mouth. No sturgeon may be taken by trolling, snagging or by the use of firearms. Sturgeon may not be gaffed, nor shall any person use any type of firearm or snare to take any sturgeon.

For the purposes of this section, a snare is a flexible loop made from any material that can be tightened like a noose around any part of the fish.

(e) Handling and removal from water: Any sturgeon greater than 60 inches fork length may not be removed from the water and shall be released immediately. Sturgeon of any size shall not be held out of water suspended by the gills, gill plates, mouth, or solely by the tail, and shall not be dragged across the ground, boat decks, or piers.

(f) Sturgeon fishing report card required: All anglers must have a valid Sturgeon Fishing Report Card in their possession while fishing for white sturgeon. Cardholders must complete and return the card pursuant to this section and Section 1.74.

(g) Reporting requirements for released fish

(1) Whenever the cardholder catches and releases a sturgeon, the cardholder shall immediately record the month, day, location code, length, and species of sturgeon.

(2) If all lines in the “sturgeon released” field of the report card are filled, any additional sturgeon caught and released may be recorded on the back of the card.

(3) If the sturgeon has a department reward disk attached, write the reward disk number in the space provided on the report card.

(h) The annual fee for the Sturgeon Fishing Report Card is specified in Section 701.

(i) Special North Coast District Sturgeon Closure (Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity and Siskiyou counties). It is unlawful to take any sturgeon in the North Coast District at any time.

(j) Special Sierra and Valley District Sturgeon Closure from January 1 to December 31 (Shasta, Tehama, Butte and Glenn counties).

(1) Sacramento River from Keswick Dam to the Highway 162 Bridge.

(A) It is unlawful to take any sturgeon.

(B) It is unlawful to use wire leaders.

(C) It is unlawful to use lamprey or any type of shrimp as bait.

(k) Special Yolo Bypass Flood Control System Sturgeon Closure. It is unlawful to take any sturgeon in the Yolo Bypass, Toe Drain Canal, and Tule Canal upstream of Lisbon Weir at any time.

(l) For regulations on take and possession of sturgeon in ocean waters as defined in Section 27.00, see sections 27.93 and 27.95.

Green Sturgeon (T14 CCR §5.81)

(a) Green sturgeon may not be taken or possessed. (b) Green sturgeon may not be removed from the water and shall be released immediately. (c) Green sturgeon taken and released incidentally to white sturgeon fishing shall be reported on a Sturgeon Fishing Report Card issued by the department, in accordance with procedures defined in Sections 1.74 and 5.79, Title 14, CCR.

Sunfish and Crappie (T14 CCR §5.82)

(a) Open season: All year, except for closures listed under district or special regulations.

(b) Limit: Combined bag limit of twenty-five sunfish and crappie of all species, except in:

(1) Barrett and Upper Otay Lakes (San Diego County): zero bag limit for all species.

(c) Size Limit: No size limit, except at Hodges and El Capitan Lakes (San Diego County), where the crappie minimum size limit is 10 inches, total length.

Tilapia (T14 CCR §5.83)

(a) Open season: All year, except for closures listed under district or special regulations.

(b) Limit: No limit.

Brook Trout (T14 CCR §5.84)

(a) Open season: All year.

(b) Limit: Ten.

(c) Size limit: Less than 10 inches total length. (d) Brook Trout bag limits may be taken in addition to the statewide trout daily bag and possession limits specified in Section 5.85.

(1) Exceptions:

(A) Red Lake in Alpine Co.

(B) All waters in Section 7.50(b), Alphabetical List of Trout Waters with Special Fishing Regulations.

Trout (T14 CCR §5.85)

As used in this section, daily bag and possession limits, unless otherwise noted, mean the total number of trout in combination, including but not limited to rainbow, golden, brown, and cutthroat.

(a) General Statewide Regulations:

(1) All inland lakes, reservoirs, and ponds; including these types of waters residing on private lands, are open to fishing all year with a five-trout daily bag limit, and 10 trout possession limit, except those waters listed in subsection 7.50(b). (2) All inland streams, rivers, and canals, except those listed in subsections 7.40(b) and 7.50(b) are open to fishing from the last Sat. in Apr. through Nov. 15, with a five trout daily bag limit, and ten trout possession limit, with no gear restrictions. From Nov. 16 through the Fri. preceding the last Sat. in Apr., a zero trout bag limit applies, and only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used for all species of fish. In waters where the bag limit for trout is zero, trout must be released unharmed, and should not be removed from the water. (3) Exceptions:

(A) All waters in subsections 7.40(b) and 7.50(b), Alphabetical List of Trout Waters with Special Fishing Regulations, are those having regulations different from the General Statewide Regulations for trout. (B) Brook Trout bag and possession limits may be taken in addition to the statewide trout daily bag and possession limits. See Section 5.84.

Hoopa and Yurok Indian Salmon Possession Limit (T14 CCR §5.15)

It is unlawful for any person to possess more than one daily bag or possession limit of fish except as follows: Eligible Hoopa Valley and Yurok Reservation Indians, as defined in Chapter 1, Part 250, Title 25, CFR-Indian Fishing, Hoopa Valley Reservation and Yurok Reservation-Department of the Interior; may possess more than two salmon outside boundaries Of the Hoopa Valley Reservation, provided:

(a) Such eligible Indians possess and display upon demand by any officer authorized to enforce this section their Indian Fishers identification card.

(b) All fish are possessed for subsistence or ceremonial purposes and are clearly marked by removing the dorsal fin prior to transporting them from the reservation.

It shall be unlawful to sell or possess for sale any salmon marked pursuant to this section.

North Coast Salmon Report Card Requirement (T14 CCR §5.87)

(a) Report Card Required in Waters of the Klamath-Trinity River System and the Smith River. All anglers must have a North Coast Salmon Report Card in their possession while fishing for or taking salmon in waters of the Klamath-Trinity River System and the Smith River, and must complete and return the card pursuant to regulations in this Section and in Section 1.74.

(b) Prior to beginning fishing activity, the cardholder shall record the month, day, and fishing location on the first available line on the report card.

(c) For the Klamath-Trinity River System: Whenever the cardholder lands (either retains or releases) a Chinook salmon, the angler shall immediately record whether the fish was an adult or a jack, and whether the fish has an adipose fin present. Whenever the cardholder releases a Coho salmon, the angler shall immediately record whether the maxillary is present or absent.

(d) For the Smith River: Whenever the cardholder lands (either retains or releases) a Chinook salmon, the angler shall immediately record whether the fish was an adult or a jack, and whether the fish has an adipose fin or left ventral fin present.

(e) Whenever the cardholder moves to another fishing location, the angler shall record the month, day, and location on the next line on the report card.

(f) In the Klamath-Trinity River System, a jack Chinook salmon is defined as any Chinook salmon that is less than or equal to 23 inches total length. In the Smith River, a jack Chinook salmon is defined as any Chinook salmon that is less than 22 inches total length.

(g) In the event an angler fills in all lines and returns a North Coast Salmon Report Card, an additional card may be purchased. See Section 1.74.

(h) The annual fee for the North Coast Salmon Report Card is specified in subsection 701(b).

Steelhead Report and Restoration Card Requirements for Inland Waters (FG 682) (T14 CCR §5.88)

(a) Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card Required. All anglers must have a Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for or taking steelhead in anadromous waters, as defined in Section 1.04. Anglers must complete and return the card pursuant to regulations in this Section and in Section 1.74. For purposes of these regulations, a steelhead trout is defined as any rainbow trout greater than 16 inches in length found in anadromous waters.

(b) Prior to beginning fishing activity, the cardholder must record the month, day, and location code on the first available line on the report card.

(c) When a hatchery steelhead is retained, the cardholder must immediately mark the appropriate field.

(d) When the cardholder moves to another location code, or finishes fishing for the day, the angler must immediately record on the card the number of wild and hatchery steelhead that were released from that location.

(e) In the event an angler fills in all lines and returns a Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card, an additional card must be purchased to continue to fish for steelhead. See Section 1.74.

(f) The annual fee for the Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card is specified in Section 7380 of the Fish and Game Code.

Salmon (T14 CCR §5.89)

See Chapter 3, Trout, Salmon, and Special Regulations.

White Bass (T14 CCR §5.90)

(a) Open season: All year.

(b) Limit: No limit. No live white bass may be possessed or transported. Any white bass taken must immediately be killed by removing the head or cutting through the gills, except at Lake Nacimiento (San Luis Obispo County) where any white bass taken must immediately be released into the water or killed by removing the head or cutting through the gills.

Yellow Perch (T14 CCR §5.91)

(a) Open season: All year, except for closures listed under district or special regulations.

(b) Limit: No limit.

Fully Protected Fishes (T14 CCR §5.93)

None of the following fishes may be taken or possessed at any time: Colorado pikeminnow, Mohave chub, Lost River sucker, Modoc sucker, shortnose sucker, humpback sucker, Owens pupfish, unarmored threespine stickleback, rough sculpin, bonytail, Owens tui chub, Cottonball Marsh pupfish and desert pupfish.

Other Species (T14 CCR §5.95)

Other species of fish may be taken in any number and at any time of the year by angling, except for closures and restrictions listed under district special regulations.

Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card

Anglers must have a nontransferable Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card issued by the department in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters. For purposes of this regulation, a steelhead trout is defined as any rainbow trout greater than 16 inches in length found in anadromous waters. Anglers must record, with a ball point pen, the month, day, location fished, number of steelhead caught and kept, and number of steelhead caught and released. Month, day, and location must be recorded even if no steelhead were caught.

A report-restoration card shall be valid for the calendar year. When the card is completely filled-in, a person may purchase another card. Anglers are required by law to return Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration cards to the Department of Fish and Wildlife by January 31 of the year following the card expiration. For example: 2024 cards are to be returned by January 31, 2025.