April 3, 2025

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested mussels, clams, scallops, and oysters from San Diego County.   

Dangerous levels of domoic acid, also referred to as amnesic shellfish poisoning, have been detected in mussels from this area. The naturally occurring domoic acid toxin can cause illness or death in humans. Cooking does not destroy the toxin.

Symptoms of amnesic shellfish poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days. In severe cases, the victim may experience trouble breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short-term memory, coma, or death.   

This warning does not apply to commercially sold mussels, clams, scallops, or oysters from approved sources. State law permits only state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers to sell these products. Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing to monitor for toxins.

You can get the most current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines by calling CDPH’s toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or viewing the recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map. For additional ​information, please visit the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring web page.

April 1, 2025

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested mussels, clams, or scallops from Los Angeles County and Santa Barbara County.

This shellfish safety notification is in addition to the warning against eating sport-harvested bivalve shellfish in Santa Barbara County due to paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins​.

Dangerous levels of domoic acid, which can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), have been detected in mussels from these areas. The naturally occurring domoic acid toxin can cause illness or death in humans. Cooking does not destroy the toxin. CDPH is warning the public not to consume mussels or any other sport-harvested bivalve shellfish from Los Angeles or Santa Barbara counties.

Symptoms of ASP can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days. In severe cases, the victim may experience trouble breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short-term memory, coma, or death.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins affect the nervous system, producing a tingling around the mouth and fingertips within a few minutes to a few hours after eating toxic shellfish. These symptoms are typically followed by loss of balance, lack of muscular coordination, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing. In severe poisonings, complete muscular paralysis and death from asphyxiation can occur.

This warning does not apply to commercially sold mussels, clams, scallops, or oysters from approved sources. State law permits only state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers to sell these products. Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing to monitor for toxins.

You can get the most current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines by calling CDPH’s toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or viewing the recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map. For additional ​information, please visit the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring web page.

March 11, 2025

Guess who’s back? Or should we say, back again? California grunion are returning, so tell a friend! The California grunion spawning season begins in March and continues all the way through the end of August.

Grunion spawning events are also called grunion runs. Now, why would one want to know when the grunion are running? Well, these fish are unlike any other when it comes to their mating behavior, and it has become quite the spectacle across sandy Southern California shores.

First of all, what is a California grunion? The scientific name for this fish is Leuresthes tenuis and they belong to the family Atherinopsidae. They are a member of the New World silversides group, which includes jacksmelt and topsmelt. California grunion can be found from Tomales Bay, California to Bahia Magdalena, Baja California, Mexico; however, they are most abundant in the Southern California Bight where they inhabit nearshore coastal waters, tidepools, and bays. California grunion can grow up to 8 inches in total length and weigh up to about 1 ounce. They may live to be at least 4 years old.

two grunion on a sandy beach

Now to the good part. During full and new moons, late in the evening after the tides have hit their highest point, large numbers of male and female grunion will make their way onto the sandy shores. They do this by riding the breaking waves, swimming until their bodies are completely out of the water. The female grunion will then use her tail to dig into the sand and create a nest for her eggs. Females can lay between 1,600 and 3,600 eggs during one spawn, and this can happen up to six times per season! While this is happening, the male grunion will wrap himself around the female grunion to start releasing milt in hopes of fertilizing the female’s eggs. Once fertilization occurs, the eggs will incubate in the sand for about 10 days. Then when the high tides return, the waves will agitate the eggs to induce hatching, and a new life cycle begins.

Due to the unique mating ritual of grunion many locals come out to view this event, and catch grunion when the season is open. California grunion have been the subject of a recreational fishery for many years, which is why the state has protective fishing regulations in place for this fish.

To start, there are open and closed seasons for California grunion. In 2022, the state added the month of June to the April – May closed season. Grunion spawning peaks from April through June, so the closure is vital for uninterrupted spawning. However, the public is still welcome to come and observe grunion runs during the closed season. For the most rewarding viewing experience, it is best to keep your flashlights off and watch from a safe distance because grunion may not be disturbed or handled during this time.

Be aware that this year, the fishing season closes on March 31 at midnight, right in the middle of a grunion run! You can still watch the run in the wee hours of April 1, but grunion may not be disturbed or handled after midnight.

When the season opens again on July 1, grunion may only be taken by hand, without the use of any equipment such as nets, colanders, etc. and holes cannot be dug to entrap them. Any angler that is 16 years old or older must have a recreational fishing license (an Ocean Enhancement Validation is also required to fish in ocean waters south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County); although the validation is not required when fishing with a one- or two-day sport fishing license). As part of the 2022 regulation change, there is now a daily bag and possession limit of 30 grunion per person. These regulations were put in place to protect and conserve declining grunion populations, so that we may keep enjoying these runs into the future. 

If you are interested in finding out more about these runs, have been anxiously awaiting the latest news on grunion, or need a reminder of the fishing regulations, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s 2025 California Grunion Facts and Expected Runs web page ( https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Grunion ). Happy grunion hunting!

February 10, 2025

In 2024, four saltwater anglers and one spear fisherman became new state record holders after hauling in some exceptional fish.

The California scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata) state angling record was captured by Michael McDaniels on May 3, 2024. The 3 lb. 10 oz. fish, caught off San Diego, edged out the previous state record fish by 8 ounces. McDaniels later donated the record catch to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for research.

On Oct. 20, 2024, Luc Ofield was at the right place at the right time – Nine Mile Bank, off San Diego in Southern California – to hook a 663 lb. 12 oz. swordfish (Xiphias gladius). After an epic five-hour saltwater battle, Luc landed this giant and a new state record. The new record beat the previous state record by a solid 143 lb. 12 oz.!

On Nov. 11, 2024 near Usal in Mendocino County, Cally Coombs reeled in a 9 lb. 0 oz. canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) that beat the state angling record for this species by 1 lb. 2 oz.

On the very last day of 2024 – New Year’s Eve – Thomas Hilgert landed a 3 lb., 5 oz. greenspotted rockfish (Sebastes chlorostictus) off San Diego at Nine Mile Bank to capture that species’ state record, beating the previous record by 11 ounces. Happy New Year, Thomas!

And finally, not to be outdone, a member of the spear fishing community also established a new state diving record in 2024. While spearfishing off Monterey on Jun. 8, 2024, Max Rovinsky speared a 4 lb. 12 oz. rubberlip seaperch (Rhacochilus toxotes) that beat the previous state diving record by two ounces.

Congratulations go out to all our new 2024 state record holders! The California Department of Fish and Wildlife saltwater angling and diving record programs recognize exceptional saltwater finfish and shellfish taken in California by sport anglers and divers. The program has given biologists the opportunity to examine trophy-sized catches since the 1950s.

For more information about state recreational fishing and diving records, see the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing and Diving Records web page at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Records.

February 6, 2025

In a collaborative effort to increase the sustainability of California's salmon populations, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has partnered with the Department of Water Resources (DWR), as well as ocean and inland fishing groups to continue a pilot project aimed at diversifying salmon hatchery release strategies.

As part of a broader initiative to expand salmon hatchery release strategies, CDFW recently released more than a million fall-run Chinook salmon fry into the Feather River. These salmon fry are released shortly after hatching, which mimic the same life stage in the wild when they would swim up out of the gravel. Typically, fall-run Chinook salmon released from the hatchery are about six months old and 3.5- to 4-inches in length. This technique was first introduced at the American River at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery in 2023.

This marks the second fry release in the Feather River this year, bringing the total number of fry released to approximately 1.8 million. These releases are in addition to the Feather River Hatchery’s typical target of 6 million smolts (a young salmon that is ready to migrate from freshwater to the ocean, usually around 6 months old) as well as the additional 3.5 million smolts and sub-smolts CDFW aims to produce at the Feather River Hatchery in 2025.

"This pilot project underscores the importance of collaboration between state agencies and the fishing community as we adapt to the challenges posed by climate change," said Jay Rowan, Fisheries Branch Chief. "By diversifying hatchery release strategies, we aim to boost salmon populations while ensuring more fish are available for both harvest and conservation efforts."

Due to the small size of salmon at the fry stage, traditional tagging methods such as coded wire tags cannot be used to track these fish. Instead, the performance of these releases will be monitored using Parental Based Tagging (PBT). This innovative approach involves collecting genetic data from the parent salmon at the time of spawning at the hatchery. The genetic information will then be used to identify and track the offspring when they return to the river, helping to assess the success of the fry releases.

“Our organization has long been an advocate of adopting genetic PBT for fisheries management,” said James Stone, Executive Director of the NorCal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association. “Adaptive salmon management is the future of improving and sustaining our fishery, which is needed now more than ever. PBT provides flexibility in hatchery operation and release strategies to maximize juvenile salmon production, including the promotion of natural spawning. We are pleased to partner with the department on the implementation of this new technology and commend them for taking this next step.”

The fry release project is being conducted in coordination with DWR, which owns the Feather River Hatchery, and with input from both commercial and recreational salmon fishing groups.

“On behalf of the California salmon fleet, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman’s Association (PCFFA) is committed to restoring our fleet’s ability to harvest California salmon and feed California communities. Diversified release strategies offer the best opportunity for a cohort’s success by mimicking natural systems, allowing fish to learn to be fish sooner. This approach provides hope that bold and decisive actions can strengthen population health, enhance genetic diversity, and contribute to the long-term resilience of salmon stocks," said George Bradshaw PCFFA President. “We appreciate CDFW’s collaboration with the industry to address the salmon crisis by increasing hatchery production and implementing diversified early life stage release strategies. Reintroducing fry releases not only expands production capacity but also takes advantage of early in-river conditions that benefit fish health.”   

Diversifying hatchery release strategies is a key element of the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier, Future, a statewide initiative aimed at ensuring the resilience of salmon populations amid impacts of climate change. In addition to the Feather River releases, similar pilot studies are also underway at the Nimbus Hatchery on the American River, further expanding the scope of the project.

The pilot studies are expected to provide valuable data that will shape future hatchery release strategies, ultimately helping to bolster salmon populations and improve their chances for survival in the wild.

For more information on this project and other salmon conservation efforts, visit the CDFW website at www.wildlife.ca.gov.

Can't fill up a bucket anymore. The current daily limit is 30.

January 23, 2025

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has updated its California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations guide (PDF) (large download in attached file), and encourages anglers and all outdoor enthusiasts coastwide to download and review the January 22, 2025 version.

The updated guide is now available on the CDFW Fishing Regulations web page, in the CDFW License App, and on the CDFW Marine Region's comprehensive Ocean Sport Fishing web page.

Regulation changes and updates include the following:

1.  When filleted at sea, lingcod fillets must retain all of the skin on each fillet (not just a small patch of skin). (CCR T14 §27.65(b)(3))

2.  When filleted at sea, California scorpionfish (sculpin) fillets can be of any size, and must retain all of the skin on each fillet (not just a small patch of skin). (CCR T14 §27.65(b)(9))

3.  When filleted at sea, kelp greenling and rock greenling fillets must retain all of the skin on each fillet. (CCR T14 §27.65(b)()

4.  The minimum size limits for cabezon, California scorpionfish (sculpin), kelp greenling, and rock greenling have been eliminated. There are no minimum size limits for these species. (CCR T14 §28.28(c), §28.29(c), and §28.54(c))

To quickly check for open seasons, size limits, and bag/possession limits for popular California fish and shellfish, go to the regulation summary tables beginning on page 45 in the guide.

Sign up for the CDFW Marine Region News Service to receive notification of future updates to the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations guide.

January 7, 2025

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has returned California’s only native sunfish – the Sacramento perch – to its namesake city and county, recently stocking 3,000 mostly juvenile fish into a pond at Granite Regional Park to create a unique urban fishing opportunity.

Granite Regional Park is already part of CDFW’s Fishing in the City Program and receives regular stockings of rainbow trout in the winter and channel catfish in the summer to provide fishing opportunities for urban and suburban residents.

While those stockings will continue, Sacramento perch could complement those offerings with a year-round fishery at the small, former quarry pond surrounded by office buildings, soccer fields and parking lots.

“It’s an experimental, pilot effort,” said Max Fish, a Senior Environmental Scientist within CDFW’s Fisheries Branch. “We’re trying to assess whether the fish do well in the pond first and foremost and, if so, whether anglers enjoy this unique experience to interact with a heritage fish being brought back to the Sacramento area for the first time in many decades.”

Once found in abundance within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Clear Lake in northern California, Sacramento perch have been displaced from their historical range as the result of habitat modification and competition from non-native sunfish, including bluegill and green sunfish, that were widely introduced into California in the early 20th century.

Today, Sacramento perch are a “Species of Special Concern” in California and are found in only about two dozen isolated waters mostly in remote parts of northern California and along the Eastern Sierra. Where they exist in abundance, notably at Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir in Mono County, Sacramento perch support popular sport fisheries and are especially prized for the table. The state record Sacramento perch was caught at Crowley Lake in 1979 weighing 3 pounds, 10 ounces.

Prior to the December stocking at Granite Regional Park in Sacramento, CDFW fisheries biologists surveyed the pond and found only small numbers of non-native sunfish to compete with the perch. Although Sacramento Perch struggle to reproduce in the presence of non-native sunfish, CDFW is experimentally stocking older juvenile and adult fish, which have shown to coexist more successfully.

CDFW acquired the Sacramento perch from Livermore-based M4 Aquatics. While the majority of stocked fish were juveniles about 6 months old and 2 to 4 inches in length, about 150 of the perch were over a year old and of “catchable size” of 6 inches in length or more.

“These fish are special for a number of reasons,” said Richard Muñoz, Fishing in the City Coordinator for CDFW’s North Central Region. “These are warmwater fish we can plant pretty much year-round. And they represent an opportunity to provide more equitable access to fishing opportunities for folks who may not have had access to these fish before.”

Sacramento Perch can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, including waters with high alkalinity, salinity, cold temperatures and warm temperatures, which make Sacramento perch a good candidate to establish sport fisheries in some urban park ponds and communities historically underserved by CDFW’s fish planting efforts.

The stocking of Sacramento perch into Granite Regional Park is part of a comprehensive effort by CDFW to strengthen existing populations, expand its range and introduce the native species to more anglers statewide. Other actions within this effort include:

** The translocation of Sacramento perch between Biscar Reservoir in Lassen County and Bridgeport Reservoir to increase the genetic diversity of both populations.

** Reestablishing source populations of Sacramento perch within its historic range in the Sacramento Valley. Refuge populations recently have been established at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and at the Woodland Regional Park Preserve, both in Yolo County. While these new populations are closed to recreational fishing, they may provide fish for future stocking opportunities elsewhere and future translocations.

** The stocking of Sacramento perch into the recently renovated Lindo Lake, San Diego County, to establish the first population in Southern California and create another unique urban fishing opportunity. That effort has been complicated by the illegal introduction of black bass and other non-native sunfish into Lindo Lake.