Fishing Season is Here - Have Fun and Be Safe!

Spring is upon us and that means better weather, longer days and hungry fish. California has many fishing adventures to choose from this time of year. Ocean salmon and halibut, mid-elevation lakes, stripers in the Delta, Eastern Sierra lakes and rivers, and many more excellent fishing opportunities are waiting for you to go explore. Whichever California outdoor adventure you choose, CDFW reminds anglers to be safe when recreating on or near water this spring. 
Get Your 2019 Sport Fishing License

 

Kern River Hatchery Reopens with Mission to Raise and Plant Native Trout

The Kern River Hatchery has reopened to the public with a bold and innovative new mission: to raise the Kern River rainbow trout and stock the native fish throughout the Kern River Basin where anglers will have a chance to catch it. More Info

Recreational Ocean Salmon Seasons Opening in May

Ocean salmon anglers off the California coast will be able to spend more time on the water this year chasing after Chinook salmon (also known as king salmon). Sport fisheries in the Klamath Management Zone will open from late May through early September. Fort Bragg and San Francisco areas will reopen mid-May after a short-term closure and will continue through the end of October. The Monterey management area is open now and remains open through late August.  More Info

Great Start to the Recreational Pacific Halibut Fishery

The 2019 recreational Pacific Halibut season is off to a strong start! Since opening day on May 1, many north coast anglers have braved less-than-perfect weather and ocean conditions and were successful in pursuing this highly prized fish. Preliminary catch data available to CDFW through the first five days of the fishery indicates almost 2,500 pounds of fish were caught.  More Info

Stillwater Trout

With snow melting in the high country, causing most rivers to run much more swiftly than normal, and many high-mountain lakes still covered with ice, now is a great time to fish mid-elevation lakes for hungry trout. You'll find some of the finest scenery anywhere while you pursue trout in the lakes of California's foothills. Use the CDFW Fishing Guide to find a lake near you. CDFW Fishing Guide

Science Spotlight: Creel Survey Keeps Tabs on Quality at Crowley

Mono County's Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra is a destination fishery that attracts trout anglers of all kinds - bait fishermen, lure casters, trollers and fly anglers - throughout the state during its open season.  More Info

Featured Scientist Profile: Travis Buck

Travis Buck is an environmental scientist with the CDFW Marine Region's Highly Migratory Species and Ecosystem Management Project in San Diego. His primary responsibilities include data collection and analysis for highly migratory species and representing CDFW on the Pacific Fishery Management Council's Ecosystem Workgroup. More Info

CDFW Fish Truck Tracker

CDFW raises and plants millions of trout each year for the enjoyment of anglers. To view trout planting schedules, visit the fish planting website. The fish planting schedule is updated in real time, directly by CDFW hatchery staff.  Fish Planting Schedule