Sturgeon Fishing Report Cards

March 6, 2014

Question: I bought my annual sturgeon report card this last year and was able to get out fishing a few times, but despite my good efforts, I never caught a sturgeon. Now I can’t find that report card but I have nothing to report anyway, so do I need to even worry about it? If so, and if I don’t end up finding my report card, how do I check in? (Anonymous)

Answer: Whether or not you fished for or caught sturgeon, all sturgeon anglers are required to return their Sturgeon Fishing Report Card or report their card data online. Although the deadline was Jan. 31, CDFW still encourages anglers to return 2013 cards by mail to the address printed on the card, or submit card data online at www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales/CustomerSearch/Begin.

Since you have lost your card, you can report it as lost by submitting an affidavit. The affidavit is available at https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=41126&inline=1.

Thank you for asking what you should do because any person who fails to report online or return his or her report card (any type) to CDFW by the deadline may be restricted from obtaining the same card in a subsequent license year. You could also be subject to an additional fee for the issuance of the same card in a subsequent license year.

Sturgeon Fishing Report Card data is a key part of the white sturgeon stock-assessment program and is essential for documenting accidental catch of threatened green sturgeon.

I think its dumb that sturgeon report cards are not covered by my lifetime license.