2012 Triennial Regulation Proposals

Department Proposals District and Special Regulation Changes  Allow harvest of hatchery trout and steelhead in catch and release areas Expand 2 fish/day and 4 in possession limits to zero bag limits sections to increase fishing opportunities  Clarify that all inlands waters are closed to salmon fishing unless otherwise noted as Open  No fishing 250 feet downstream of weirs

Department Proposals District and Special Regulation Changes  Close Sisquoc River to all fishing all year to protect listed steelhead  Re-open Chowchilla River, Eastman Lake, Wolf Creek

Department Proposals Sturgeon Sport Fishing Regulations  White Sturgeon Protection Prohibit use of snares Require only one single point, single shank, barbless hook Prohibit removal of fish greater than 68 inches (FL) from the water Require fork length: new slot (40 to 60 inches FL) Set sturgeon report card fee at $7.50  Green Sturgeon Protection Prohibit the removal of green sturgeon from the water

Department Proposals Black Bass Sport Fishing  Eliminate slot limits in McClure and Millerton reservoirs and Oroville, Orr, and Siskiyou lakes

Department Proposals Sport Fishing Regulations for the Take of Amphibians and Reptiles  Preclude take of 8 amphibians and 3 reptiles designated as Species of Special Concern  Increase daily bag and possession limit for Southern leopard frog & Rio Grande leopard frog

Department Proposals General Sport Fish Regulation Changes  Increase Smith River minimum flow trigger from 400 to 600 cfs  New inland salmonid fillet requirements: species, size, origin

Department Proposals Spear Fishing for Striped Bass in Inland Waters  Option 1: No harvest of striped bass Open all of Black Butte Lake to spear fishing to eliminate enforcement issue Definition of spawning areas (F&G Code 1505)  Option 2: Allow harvest of striped bass Option 1 changes, plus allow harvest of striped bass in Valley District

Sport Fish Proposals Ocean Waters Since 2009, 31 recommendations were received from the public proposing regulation changes for several species of marine finfish and invertebrates  Included bag/size limits, methods of take, and authorized gears  Suggestions for kelp/sand basses, groundfish, halibut and crabs are being considered in other regulatory processes Many requests to allow spearfishing for striped bass (accepted) Recommendations to consider further:  Grouper possession and importation  Take of sharks with bow-and-arrow gear

Striped Bass ISOR – Ocean Waters Would authorize spearfishing in all areas except those presently off- limits to spearfishing for any species (i.e., around river mouths) Would also authorize take with bow-and-arrow gear for consistency

Extras

Department Proposals Black Bass Sport Fishing – Slot Limit Removal  Streamline regulations to eliminate confusion  Eliminate need for tournament fishing exemptions  Change regulations to a statewide standard Eliminate slot limits (McClure and Millerton reservoirs; Oroville, Orr, and Siskiyou lakes) 5 fish daily bag limit 12-inch minimum size limit

Next Steps Triennial Sport Fish Cycle  FGC Discussion Meeting August 8-9 in Ventura  FGC Adoption Meeting November in Los Angeles

Public Recommendations 100 requests from 57 interested parties  Expand seasons, bag limits, and open new areas (18)  Decrease seasons, bag limits, and close existing areas (11)  Gear restrictions and area closures to stop snagging in Smith River and Central Valley (20)  Trinity River: open all year above Trinity Lake and allow hatchery coho harvest (7)  Mono County: season and bag limit changes to Rush Creek, Walker River, and Crowley Lake (7)  Striped bass: harvest and gear measures in Central Coast lagoons, harvest by spear fishing, higher and lower size limits changes (16)  Other requests (21)