DFG Site sucks. Fishing question.

[motorman4life]

I have been unable to get any of the PDFs on the DFG site to work (other than one map) and am not a DFG guy and I find researching and interpreting the DFG regs very difficult, for some reason. I used to fish with my Dad as a kid and my G/F and I have never been fishing and we were looking to go out and do some fishing this year.

I can see from the DFG site that we will need out resident sport fishing license as well as the FREE sturgeon report card. I am not planning to fish for steelhead (I prefer trout and catfish), and I assume I may catch bass or bluegill or whatever grabs my hook. So, assuming I will throw back any steelhead I find, do I need a steelhead report card? I know the areas where I would need to have a Bay-Delta sport fishing stamp as well as a Klamath-Trinity sport salmon report card. I don't usually fish with more than 1 pole, but I figured I'd get a 2nd rod stamp so I can relax when I bait or tend my G/F's pole while she is doing whatever. I had been thinking about trotline and yo-yo fishing, but am unclear on the regulations pertaining to same.

So, my question is (since I could not find it on the DFG site), what are the trotline or jugline (and yo-yo) regulations in CA? Are they allowed, restricted, regulated as to # of runs per fisherman, length or # of hooks on a run or as to # of hours they can be out? I was amazed that when I searched for this info I was able to find the regs for Texas and other states, but not CA. Figures. Some states only allow 2 or 3 per fisherman. Some require that they each be tagged with your name and fishing license # as well as the date/time set. Some states require they have no more than 33 hooks on a run.

It ticks me off that one cannot easily find this info in CA, when the DFG is out there pounding people with fees and fines. Like I said, I can't get their PDF reg files to open on my computer and I figured there had to be someone on here that has the straight dope.

Also, any hot local fishing holes would be appreciated! :thumbup

 

[}Dragon{]

What's the url for the PDF you want? I may be able to convert into a readable format.

 

[motorman4life]

Someone e-mailed me the regs in PDF and they opened for me. It was the ones on their site that were/are buggered.

In looking at the inland fishing regs, article 1, section 2.00 states that fishing is limited to one pole or one "hand line" with no more than 3 hooks attached. A 2-pole endorsement apparently is just that, an endorsement for a 2nd pole (period). So. I'm guessing they would see a yo-yo as a hand line and a trotline or jugline as a hand line.. also, each would be limited to 3 hooks or lures. WTF?

That sucks, because in the south, they routinely place 12 to 24 yo-yos and/or 3 to 5 trotlines with 20 to 30 hooks on each. It seems we are severely limited here.

 

[sidewazzz]

Lakes....

-Anything goes really but you would need a 2 pole stamp if you plan on using 2.
-Black (many different kinds) need to be over 12 inch in order to keep.
-Trout have a limit of 5
-Panfish unlimted I believe

Rivers/ streams....
Now your in for it. Each river is different but most have the same regulations

-Barbless hooks only
-Some fish you can keep, others you cant (IE. wild steelhead must be released!)
-Salmon, depends on the river/ stream
-salmon/ steelhead cards and tags are needed (they must be turned in at the end of the year or they will come after you (not kidding).

-

 

[silversvs]

Or just come down and fish my backyard and you don't have to worry 'bout nothin'.

 

[pshelton]

Thank goodness MM4L has a picture of a motocycle as his avatar. Otherwise one of the 2 out of 3 boy scouts would demand this thread be closed.

 

[gixxerjoeca]

Trot lines are illegal in Ca.You will read in the regs "Line must be closely attended" never heard of a "yo-yo" but hand lines are legal as long as they are closely attended.

Edit:Here is a good fishing site for Northern,Ca http://www.fishsniffer.com/

 

[masameet]

Thank goodness MM4L has a picture of a motocycle as his avatar. Otherwise one of the 2 out of 3 boy scouts would demand this thread be closed.

QFT!

And isn't }Dragon{ one of those three?

Seems he's good at sucking up as well as snitching.



***Edited***

}Dragon{, masameet, you are both suspended for baiting. Please, in the future, refrain from interacting or in any way referring to the other on this board. That is an official request.

-Bap

 

[gixxerjoeca]

From DFG site.Regs open fine for me???



Article 1. Fishing
Methods and Gear
Restrictions
2.00. Fishing Methods--General.
(a) All fish may be taken only by angling with
one closely attended rod and line or one hand
line with not more than three hooks nor more
than three artificial lures (each lure may have
three hooks attached) attached thereto. Anglers
in possession of a valid two-rod stamp and
anglers under 16 years of age may use up to two
rods in inland waters which regulations provide
for the taking of fish by angling, except those
waters in which only artificial lures or barbless
hooks may be used. See District Trout, Salmon
and Special regulations for exceptions.*
(b) Snagging is prohibited. Snagging is defined
as impaling or attempting to impale a fish in
any part of its body other than the mouth by
use of a hook, hooks, gaff, or other mechanical
implement. This definition does not include
activities otherwise authorized under these
regulations for the lawful use of a gaff, bow and
arrow, or spear.
(c) It is unlawful to kill, or retain in possession
any fish which has not voluntarily taken the bait
or artificial lure in its mouth. Any fish not taken
pursuant to these regulations, shall be released
immediately back into the water

 

[gixxerjoeca]

Someone e-mailed me the regs in PDF and they opened for me. It was the ones on their site that were/are buggered.

In looking at the inland fishing regs, article 1, section 2.00 states that fishing is limited to one pole or one "hand line" with no more than 3 hooks attached. A 2-pole endorsement apparently is just that, an endorsement for a 2nd pole (period). So. I'm guessing they would see a yo-yo as a hand line and a trotline or jugline as a hand line.. also, each would be limited to 3 hooks or lures. WTF?

That sucks, because in the south, they routinely place 12 to 24 yo-yos and/or 3 to 5 trotlines with 20 to 30 hooks on each. It seems we are severely limited here.

Dont try it i unless you are holding the line or "jug" in your hand.I have seen people ticketed and there fish confiscated for having lines tied to bushes,branches etc.

 

[RolnCode3]

We work closely with DFG, but I have no interest in fishing. The regs are too damn complicated and I know I'll get cited for something (though a few of the wardens are damn cute - might be worth it).

I'll ask some of the guys tomorrow and get some answers - assuming someone doesn't come up with the correct answers before then.

If it's really something you want sorted out I can pass along a # and have a Warden call you.

 

[JPM]

Just remember, you can't catch all the fish. :rofl

 

[silversvs]

Not moto or LEO related. Might find the fishing answers in the sink.

 

[}Dragon{]

QFT!

And isn't }Dragon{ one of those three?

Seems he's good at sucking up as well as snitching.

Nice.:rolleyes

***Edited***

}Dragon{, masameet, you are both suspended for baiting. Please, in the future, refrain from interacting or in any way referring to the other on this board. That is an official request.

-Bap

 

[Marlowe]

I can see from the DFG site that we will need out resident sport fishing license as well as the FREE sturgeon report card. I am not planning to fish for steelhead (I prefer trout and catfish), and I assume I may catch bass or bluegill or whatever grabs my hook. So, assuming I will throw back any steelhead I find, do I need a steelhead report card? I know the areas where I would need to have a Bay-Delta sport fishing stamp as well as a Klamath-Trinity sport salmon report card. I don't usually fish with more than 1 pole, but I figured I'd get a 2nd rod stamp so I can relax when I bait or tend my G/F's pole while she is doing whatever. I had been thinking about trotline and yo-yo fishing, but am unclear on the regulations pertaining to same.

So, my question is (since I could not find it on the DFG site), what are the trotline or jugline (and yo-yo) regulations in CA? Are they allowed, restricted, regulated as to # of runs per fisherman, length or # of hooks on a run or as to # of hours they can be out? I was amazed that when I searched for this info I was able to find the regs for Texas and other states, but not CA. Figures. Some states only allow 2 or 3 per fisherman. Some require that they each be tagged with your name and fishing license # as well as the date/time set. Some states require they have no more than 33 hooks on a run.

:mm4l ,

This is all just my understanding/interpretation, and I could very well be wrong...so you might wanna take RC3 up on that offer to speak to a game warden.

With that out of the way...as long as you immediately release and don't take, and aren't fishing for, steelhead, it is my understanding you do not have to report. Regs also state that you must release wild steelhead without removing them from the water... :wtf It is conceivably possible to be cited for removing them from the water before you're able to identify them.

Second rod stamp sounds like a good idea, it's cheap insurance. Now, as for the hand lines:

2.00. Fishing Methods--General.
(a) All fish may be taken only by angling with one closely attended rod and line or one hand line with not more than three hooks nor more than three artificial lures (each lure may have three hooks attached) attached thereto.

You can use them, but I would watch the 'closely attended' part, and expect that you'd need to keep any rods or hand lines in your immediate control. Even then, they may interpret a hand line as having to be held.

Trotlines and juglines are probably out between the hand line and 3 hook limitation.

Other things you should know...check the Catfish table, take is limited to 5 in some areas you may be in.

Good luck... you could always try fishing out of state too. Arizona's rule booklet is 2/3rds the length of CAs, and contains mostly maps and entirely plain English explanations, along with highlighted lists of changes each year, common violations and how to avoid them, color identification guides, etc. And it's still 33% shorter.

I don't understand why CA DFG can't put out a better publication that would increase compliance. That PDF is terrible... :thumbdown

 

[Godsdarling]

I found all your answers here:
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/08-09-inland-fish-regs.pdf

 

[RolnCode3]

What my partner told me (as I'm not really into fishing enforcement):

If steelhead are running in the area you'll be fishing, you'll almost certainly be expected to have a report card. The regs state that if you're fishing for, or keep one, you need it. If they're running (whether or not they're the ONLY fish running), the Warden could make a case that you would keep it. Especially since a Steelhead is defined as a ocean run Trout that is 16 or more inches long. He has heard Wardens say that they are required, even when people claim they're not there for steelhead.

Jug and trotline are illegal in CA. The sport regs specify a closely attended rod.

 

[gixxerjoeca]

What my partner told me (as I'm not really into fishing enforcement):

If steelhead are running in the area you'll be fishing, you'll almost certainly be expected to have a report card. The regs state that if you're fishing for, or keep one, you need it. If they're running (whether or not they're the ONLY fish running), the Warden could make a case that you would keep it. Especially since a Steelhead is defined as a ocean run Trout that is 16 or more inches long. He has heard Wardens say that they are required, even when people claim they're not there for steelhead.

Jug and trotline are illegal in CA. The sport regs specify a closely attended rod.

Your partner is not correct.You only need a steelhead card if you are fishing for steelhead.Imagine the waters covered in a steelheads migration to the Feather or American River.Under the Golden Gate up through the Delta,etc.Lots of other fish in the Sacramento River system to be fishing for other than steelhead.I call dfg if im knot sure of something.There is usually a Warden in the office that will answer your questions.Rancho Cordova* 1701 Nimbus Road, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 (916) 358-2900 8:00 AM - 4:30PM


5.88. Steelhead Report and
Restoration Card Requirements for
Inland Waters (FG 682, See Section
701).
(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 steelhead is retained, the cardholder
must immediately fill in a circle indicating whether
the fish is a wild fish or a hatchery fish.

 

[RolnCode3]

Your partner is not correct.You only need a steelhead card if you are fishing for steelhead.Imagine the waters covered in a steelheads migration to the Feather or American River.Under the Golden Gate up through the Delta,etc.Lots of other fish in the Sacramento River system to be fishing for other than steelhead.I call dfg if im knot sure of something.There is usually a Warden in the office that will answer your questions.Rancho Cordova* 1701 Nimbus Road, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 (916) 358-2900 8:00 AM - 4:30PM

The location was not specified and that was my fault. I don't think my partner was incorrect, but what he said doesn't apply everywhere. The location we were discussing (along the American below Nimbus Dam) is basically only trout and Steelhead (at this time of year). A steelhead is a big trout. People won't throw back a large fish of the type they're fishing for. Thus, you need a report card.

As I said, though (and you completely skipped over) if the Warden can make a case that you're fishing for steelhead (even if you deny it), then you could be cited for not having the card.

 

[gixxerjoeca]

The location was not specified and that was my fault. My partner was not incorrect, but what he said doesn't apply everywhere. The location we were discussing (along the American below Nimbus Dam) is basically only trout and Steelhead. A steelhead is a big trout. People won't throw back a large fish of the type they're fishing for. Thus, you need a report card.

As I said, though (and you completely skipped over) is that if the Warden can make a case that you're fishing for steelhead (even if you deny it), then you could be cited for not having the card.

I read every thing and ive been fishing the Nimbus Basin for 32 years.There are Stripers,Black Bass,Catfish etc in that location.A warden can tell pretty much from your gear what you are fishing for.I personally know all the Wardens that patrol nimbus and talk with them often.Im an Avid Steelhead fisherman and trust me i know the rules.And i know of a lot of American River Anglers who never keep steelhead.I have seen the American go from a world class fishery to the current crappy state it is in now.The location does not matter it clearly states

"All anglers must have a
Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card
in their possession while fishing for or taking
steelhead in anadromous waters,"