Sturgeon fishing IS open in Humboldt Bay...

[Abking]

I just found the link...

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/mapregs1.asp#other_open

Slot limit applies of course - 46-66".  Let me know if you get one, Hawk.  Good luck!   

[swellrider]

I think I'm gonna put in a full day on the Eel instead Eric. My last attempt at digging in the mud for ghost shrimp was messy and unproductive. I wonder if those fake shrimp from "GULP" would work as substitute. Let me know when you want to pull an all nighter and I'll be there. Otherwise sturgeon fishing is pretty boring solo.

[Abking]

I'll pop by DFG and ask about night-fishing (anyone have info on that?...).  I'll also grab the free sturgeon report card and one for you if I can.  We might have to get one of them snare thingee's, Bro!   

[mickfish]

Am I missing something those are Ocean Regs I thought Hum Bay was inland?

[Rory]

You just can't stop by and pickup up a sturgeon card. You have to have the fishing licecne with you so that can put the card number on your fishing licence. And they told me, "NO EXCEPTIONS" Just thought I would warn you

[Abking]

Thanks, Rory.  That makes you SOL on me getting one for you, Hawk!   

[sigelvictory]

Am I missing something those are Ocean Regs I thought Hum Bay was inland?

whoa whoa whoa!  mickfish is right... humboldt bay is considered inland water, not ocean.  The only bay that goes under ocean regs is san fran/san pablo...  In the north coast district it is illegal to possess sturgeon in any inland water, which includes humboldt bay!  check the fresh water regs!!!

[sigelvictory]

1.53. Inland Waters.
Inland waters are all the fresh, brackish and
inland saline waters of the state, including
lagoons and tidewaters upstream from the
mouths of coastal rivers and streams. Inland
waters exclude the waters of San Francisco and
San Pablo bays downstream from Carquinez
Bridge, the tidal portions of rivers and streams
flowing into San Francisco and San Pablo
Bays
5.80. White Sturgeon.
(f) Special North Coast District Sturgeon
Closure (Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity and
Siskiyou cos.). It is unlawful to take any sturgeon
in the North Coast District at any time.

LIKE MICKFISH SAID, HUMBOLT BAY IS INLAND WATER AND THE FRESHWATER BOOK APPLIES
as far as hours goes.. sec. 3.00 of the freshwater book and no hours on the ocean (except for the san fran bay/san pablo which is closed at night)  humboldt bay is fishable at night for allowed species, just no salmon/steelhead...

[Abking]

Spanish:  "Complicaciones"   

I went to the DFG office in Eureka and picked up my (free) sturgeon report card and tags.  They looked, and they conferred, and they re-checked...  they told me Humboldt Bay IS ocean. 

Don't worry, I don't believe them!   

But I'll tell you what, they will remember telling me it's OK!!!!   Doesn't mean I'll go do it, but this is the first step in finding out, for SURE, what the sturgeon scene is up here.  Thanks for your help.   

[sigelvictory]

maybe so.. typical vague crap on the part of the reg books... but isnt humboldt bay in humboldt county where it clearly states sturgeon is closed... unless the bay really isnt inland which i really cant figure out based on the meaning of inland waters... oh well.. i hope you got the name of the employee who said its kosher... they can be a witness at your hearing

[Abking]

Thanks, Sigel.  I'll be sure to get some confirmation from the warden - there were none there when I was enquiring, but those ladies read the regs all day and they both agreed I was good.  Again, I don't believe them!   

[swellrider]

Those two ladies have told me the same thing for two seasons now Eric. I likewise asked if they could please confirm that with higher because I was going sturgeon fishing that afternoon. Their boss confirmed it but I never got a name. They gave me the sturgeon card and confirmed Humboldt bay was indeed under saltwater regs. The only real freshwater outlet in all of Humboldt Bay is the Elk river I don't see how it could be considered freshwater. Just the same though I'll keep reports on bay fishing to myself.

[Abking]

I'll get it in writing, Hawk - one way or the other...

[Sin Coast]

So, you can keep ocean-caught sturgeon? The likelyhood of catching one in the ocean is so slim; kinda like catching a steelhead in the ocean (where do they go anyways?).
PK

[mickfish]

I put this on Coastside maybe the Warden will chime in.
http://www.coastsidefishingclub.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/598174/an/0/page/0/gonew/1#UNREAD