CALIFORNIA SALTWATER - eRegulations

1 CALIFORNIASALTWATERSPORT FISHING REGULATIONS2017 2018 For Ocean Sport Fishing in CaliforniaEffective March 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018 The Fish and Game Commission is composed of five members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. The Commission sets hunting and sport fishing regulations including seasons, bag limits, methods, and areas of take. In addition, the Commission formulates general policies for the Department of Fish and Wildlife and regulates aspects of commercial fishing. Monthly topical meetings are held to hear regulation change proposals. The public may make recommendations in writing before a Commission meeting or present its proposals verbally at the meeting. The Commission s meeting schedule, including specific topics, dates and locations, is posted on their website Written comments can be directed to the Fish and Game Commission at 1416 Ninth Street, Room 1320, Sacramento, CA 95814, or by e-mail to communication formats are available upon request.

2 If reasonable accommodation is needed call CDFW at (916) 322-8911. The CALIFORNIA Relay Service for the deaf or hearing-impaired can be utilized from TDD phones at (800) or services provided by advertisers are not promoted or endorsed by the CALIFORNIA Department of Fish and s New for 2017 ? ..4 License Information ..5 Sport Fishing License Fees ..8 Keeping Up With In-Season Groundfish Regulation Changes ..11 Map of Groundfish Management Areas ..12 Summaries of Recreational Groundfish Regulations ..13 General Provisions and Definitions ..20 General Ocean Fishing Regulations ..24 Fin Fish General ..24 Fin Fish Minimum Size Limits, Bag and Possession Limits, and Seasons ..24 Fin Fish Gear Restrictions ..33 Invertebrates ..34 Mollusks ..34 Crustaceans ..36 Non-commercial Use of Marine Plants ..38 Marine Protected Areas and Other Restricted Fishing Areas ..42 Public Health Advisories.

3 66 Regulations Reference Tables ..68 Regulations seen in RED TEXT are new this us on Facebook! FISHING DAYSJuly 1 and September 2, 2017On these days only, ALL regulations apply and report cards are required, but NO license is required for sport FISHING REGULATIONS2017 2018 Groundfish Regulation Tables1334 Invertebrates (Crabs, Clams, Lobsters, etc.)24 General Ocean FishingHeadquarters1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento 95814 (916) 653-7664 and Revenue Branch1740 North Market Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95834 State of CALIFORNIA Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. Natural Resources AgencySecretary John LairdDepartment of Fish and WildlifeDirector Charlton H. BonhamContact Sklar President St. HelenaJacque Hostler-Carmesin Vice President McKinleyvilleAnthony WilliamsMember Huntington Beach Russel BurnsMember - NapaPeter Silva Member - Chula VistaValerie TerminiExecutive Director - SacramentoCalifornia Fish and Game CommissionCover Photo: Matt Wong with barred surfperch.

4 Photo courtesy of Kristine INFORMATIONA bout This GuideThis high-quality guide is offered to you by the CALIFORNIA Department of Fish and Wildlife through its unique partnership with Griffin Publishing, revenue generated through ad sales significantly lowers production costs and generates savings. These savings translate into additional funds for other important agency you have any feedback or are inter-ested in advertising, please contact us at or at Design: Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, John Corey, Evelyn Haddad, Chris SobolowskiWilliamstown, MA | Birmingham, ALThis guide is also available online atREGIONAL OFFICESMARINE REGIONE ncompassing the entire CALIFORNIA coastline from border to border and three nautical miles out to seaField Offices and Region Headquarters:619 2nd Street, Eureka 95501(707) 445-649332330 N. Harbor Drive Fort Bragg 95437(Licenses are not sold at this office)(707) 964-90785355 Skylane Boulevard, Suite BSanta Rosa 95403(Licenses are not sold at this office)(707) 576 -2882 Marine Region Headquarters20 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Suite 100 Monterey 93940(831) Cliff Drive, Suite 9 Santa Barbara 93109(Licenses are not sold at this office)(805) 568-12314665 Lampson Avenue, Suite C Los Alamitos 90720(562) 342-710 03883 Ruffin Road, San Diego 92123(858) 467- 4201 BAY DELTA REGIONS erving: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa,Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Solano, and Sonoma counties, Yolo County south of I-80 and San Joaquin County west of Silverado Trail, Napa 94558(707) NORTHERN REGIONS erving.

5 Del Norte, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity counties601 Locust Street, Redding 96001(530) CENTRAL REGIONS erving: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Solano, and Sonoma counties, Yolo County south of I-80 and San Joaquin County west of Nimbus Road Rancho Cordova 95670 (916) REGIONS erving: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne counties1234 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno 93710(559) 243-4005 x COAST REGIONS erving: Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties3883 Ruffin Road, San Diego 92123(858) 467- inquiries for this region should be directed to the Ontario office (below)INLAND DESERTS REGIONS erving: Imperial, Inyo, Mono, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties3602 Inland Empire Boulevard, Suite C220 Ontario 91764 (909) 484-0167(Licenses are not sold at this CDFW Box 944209, Sacramento 94244-2090(916) 653-766 AND REVENUE BRANCH1740 N.)

6 Market BoulevardSacramento 95834 (916) 2018 CALIFORNIA SALTWATER FISHING REGUL ATIONS Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. 2017 | Local OfficeAt GEICO, great rates and outstanding coverage doesn t stop with your car. Whether you drive a motorcycle, boat or RV, we could help you save money on more than just car insurance. See how much you could save. Get a quote today. SAVE TODAYADVENTURE TOMORROWREGULATION CHANGESWHAT S NEW FOR 2017 ?CDFW OFFICES NO LONGER ACCEPT CASHS tarting January 1, 2017 the CALIFORNIA Depart-ment of Fish and Wildlife will no longer accept cash at the License and Revenue Branch and re-gional license offices.

7 Checks, money orders, or any debit or credit card with the Visa or Master-card logo are accepted. Cash transactions will still be available for all items sold at authorized local sales agents. Search for a license agent near you at (EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 7, 2017 )The CALIFORNIA Fish and Game Commission approved changes to recreational groundfish regulations on December 7, 2016 to conform to changes in federal rules for 2017 and 2018. Changes included new season dates and fishing depths in some groundfish management areas, a lingcod bag limit decrease from 3 fish to 2 fish, a new sub-bag limit of 1 canary rockfish within the RCG Complex bag limit of 10 fish, elimination of the sub-bag limit for bocaccio, a black rockfish bag limit decrease from 5 fish to 3 fish within the RCG Complex bag limit of 10 fish, and allowing petrale sole and starry flounder to be retained year-round at all pg.

8 11 for ways to stay informed of in-season regulation changes. Anglers are advised to call the CDFW Groundfish Hotline at (831) 649-2801, or check the CDFW website at for the most up-to-date groundfish regulations. RED ABALONE (EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2017 )The CALIFORNIA Fish and Game Commission ap-proved emergency regulations on December 7, 2016 to reduce the take of red abalone in the open area north of San Francisco Bay due to unfavorable environmental conditions. Under the emergency regulations, red abalone may be taken only during the months of May, June, August, September and October. The yearly trip limit is reduced from 18 to 12 abalone, with no more than 9 abalone from south of the boundary between Sonoma and Mendocino counties. See pg. SPINY LOBSTER (EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2017 )The CALIFORNIA Fish and Game Commission ap-proved changes in the recreational CALIFORNIA spiny lobster fishing regulations on June 22, 2016.

9 The new regulations are included in this booklet, and are posted on the CDFW website at Changes include a new opening time of 6:00 on the first day of the season, and clarification of measuring methods and rules regarding posses-sion of spearfishing gear while diving for crusta-ceans. Also, hoop nets used to take crustaceans south of Point Arguello must be marked with a surface buoy, and the surface buoy must have the operator s GO ID number on it. Hoop nets deployed from shore or piers are not required to be marked with a surface buoy. See pg. 38. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DO THE FOLLOWING Fish without a valid fishing license if you are 16 years of age or older (FGC, Section 7145) Fail to return a report card by the deadline printed on the report card. Reporting harvest online at satisfies the return requirement. (CCR T-14, Section ) Use a sport fishing license that is not signed by the licensee.

10 (CCR T-14, Section 705) Transfer any license, tag, validation, stamp, permit, application or reserva-tion to another person. (FGC, Section 1052) Use or possess any license, valida-tion, tag, stamp, permit, application or reservation that was not lawfully issued to the user. (FGC, Section 1052) Alter, mutilate, deface, duplicate or counterfeit any license, tag, validation, stamp, permit, application or reserva-tion. (FGC, Section 1052) Fail to exhibit on demand all licenses, validations, tags, stamps, permits, applications or reservations to any peace officer or authorized CDFW employee. (FGC, Section 2012) Fish without the required report card on a free fishing day. (CCR T-14, Section ) Disturb the legal traps of another per-son. (CCR T-14, Section ) Sell fish taken under the authority of a sport fishing license. (FGC, Section 7121) Cause the deterioration or waste of any fish taken in the waters of this state.