Fishing by Delta Farmer’s Pumps

December 8, 2016

Question: I was fishing in a boat on the California Delta yesterday. A farmer’s pump was pumping and the farmer stopped his truck on the levee to tell me that it’s against the law to fish within 100 yards of a running pump. I’ve never heard of that, and I was wondering if the farmer was just blowing smoke. What do you think? (Ken A.)

Answer: The farmer was mistaken, but CCR Title 14, section 2.35 does prohibit taking fish within 250 feet of any fishway; egg-taking station; dam, weir or rack that has a fishway or an egg-taking station; and the upstream side of any fish screen.

They do this ALL THE TIME. I fish the delta often as I live in Lodi. Property owners out there are on a constant fight to keep people out. This includes fishing too close to something of theirs. Pretty much have heard it all over the years, especially when I am duck hunting out there.
Know the laws, but be respectful is my tact.