Some North Coast Rivers Closed to Fishing Because of Drought Conditions

FYI


Some North Coast Rivers Closed to Fishing Because of Drought Conditions

Kym Kemp / Today @ 4:24 p.m. / News
 

California Department of Fish and Wildlife:

    The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has closed some waters to fishing in order to protect native salmon and steelhead from low water flows in California streams and rivers that have been significantly impacted by drought. CDFW is also recommending that the Fish and Game Commission adopt emergency regulations on other rivers.

    “We fully understand the impact these closures will have on California anglers and the businesses related to fishing in California, and we really feel for them,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “However the science is clear. Two-thirds of the wettest part of winter is now behind us and conditions are looking increasingly grim. Under these extreme drought conditions, it is prudent to conserve and protect as many adult fish as possible to help ensure the future of fishing in California.”

    CDFW has the authority under Title 14, Article 4, Section 8.00(c) to close south central coast streams to fishing from December 1 through March 7 when it determines that stream flows are inadequate to provide fish passage for migrating steelhead trout and salmon… [parts of this press release not relating to the North Coast have been removed. The entire release can be found here.]

    In addition, CDFW has the authority under Title 14, Article 4, Section 8.00(a) to close north coast streams to fishing from September 1 (Mad River) and October 1 (all others) through January 31 when it determines that the flow at any of the designated gauging stations is less than minimum flows stated in regulation. As a result, the following streams are closed to all fishing through January 31 (however, CDFW is requesting this be extended to April 30 as noted in the recommendations to the Fish and Game Commission below, recommendation #3):

        The main stem Eel River from the paved junction of Fulmor Road with the Eel River to the South Fork Eel River.

        The South Fork of the Eel River downstream from Rattlesnake Creek and the Middle Fork Eel River downstream from the Bar Creek.

        The main stem Van Duzen River from its junction with the Eel River to the end of Golden Gate Drive near Bridgeville.

        The main stem Mad River from the Hammond Trail Railroad Trestle to Cowan Creek.

        The main stem of the Mattole River from the mouth to Honeydew Creek.

        The main stem of Redwood Creek from the mouth to its confluence with Bond Creek.

        The main stem Smith River from the mouth of Rowdy Creek to the mouth of Patrick Creek (tributary of the Middle Fork Smith River); the South Fork Smith River from the mouth upstream approximately 1,000 feet to the County Road (George Tyron) bridge and Craig’s Creek to its confluence with Jones Creek; and the North Fork Smith River from the mouth to its confluence with Stony Creek.

    Further, CDFW is recommending that the Fish and Game Commission adopt the following emergency regulations at its February 5, 2014 meeting:

        Closure of the American River from Nimbus Dam to the SMUD power line crossing at the southwest boundary of Ancil Hoffman Park until April 30.

        Closure of the Russian River main stem below the confluence of the East Branch of the Russian River until April 30.

        Extension of the low flow restrictions angling closures for the north coast and central coast areas (above San Francisco Bay) through April 30.

        Close all portions of any coastal stream west of any Highway 1 bridge until April 30.

    There are still plenty of opportunities for California anglers to catch fish in the state’s rivers and streams outside of the closures listed above. Additionally, California’s coast offers substantial ocean fishing. Both are subject to current regulations already in place. For more on fishing in California, please visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fishing/.

    Current low stream flow conditions will prevent the movement of migrating anadromous fish, primarily wild steelhead trout. Stream flows in many systems are inadequate to allow passage of spawning adults, increasing their vulnerability to mortality from predation, physiological stress and angling. Furthermore, survival of eggs and juvenile fish in these systems over the coming months is likely to be extremely low if the current drought conditions continue. These temporary angling closures on selected streams will increase survival of adult wild steelhead.

    Yesterday CAL FIRE announced it hired 125 additional firefighters to help address the increased fire threat due to drought conditions, and the California Department of Public Health identified communities at risk of severe water shortages and announced efforts to assist those communities. Earlier this week, the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Food and Agriculture released the California Water Action Plan, which will guide state efforts to enhance water supply reliability, restore damaged and destroyed ecosystems and improve the resilience of our infrastructure. Governor Brown has called on all Californians to reduce their water usage by 20 percent and last week, the Save Our Water campaign announced four new public service announcements that encourage residents to conserve. Last December, the Governor formed a Drought Task Force to review expected water allocations and California’s preparedness for water scarcity. In May 2013, Governor Brown issued an Executive Order to direct state water officials to expedite the review and processing of voluntary transfers of water and water rights.

    CDFW low flow closure hotlines:

    North coast: (707) 822-3164
    Central coast: (707) 944-5533
    South central coast: (831) 649-2886

Not sure if this is appropriate in Fish Talk, in Politics, or in General...

http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Calif-bans-fishing-in-drought-stricken-streams-5186465.php

Does it really surprise anyone???

Im heading out this weekend to get what i can while its open. Guess its about time to head to the lagoons instead 

Im heading out this weekend to get what i can while its open. Guess its about time to head to the lagoons instead 

Or the klamath. Fishing is supposedly very good there right now. I wouldnt fish anything but the mad, as the wild fish dont need that kind of pressure on top of low water.

I get enough of the klamath during the spring and fall run chasing salmon in the jet boat. Im basically just looking for something to do so i might head up to the lagoons just to pass the time on the ultra lights.

It'll be a free-for-all from the 1st to the 5th - sad situations where fish are trapped or salmon are still trying to spawn, which is still happening.

The unique low water right now should demand a closure immediately, not some time after the February 5th meeting.

Just opening the rivers to fishing endangers so many salmon redds that have been created low in the systems - people will be tromping through them, and they've already been driving through them repeatedly...

Our culture has lost the sense to take care of important resources properly, IMO, and, sadly, a large number of people have lost the knowledge, care and respect that are needed to perpetuate things like salmon.

Sorry for being a pessimist - hopefully I'm wrong.

??

It'll be a free-for-all from the 1st to the 5th - sad situations where fish are trapped or salmon are still trying to spawn, which is still happening.

The unique low water right now should demand a closure immediately, not some time after the February 5th meeting.

Just opening the rivers to fishing endangers so many salmon redds that have been created low in the systems - people will be tromping through them, and they've already been driving through them repeatedly...

Our culture has lost the sense to take care of important resources properly, IMO, and, sadly, a large number of people have lost the knowledge, care and respect that are needed to perpetuate things like salmon.

Sorry for being a pessimist - hopefully I'm wrong.

Yet, didn't you fish the Mad yesterday?  Don't get me wrong here, I'm not condemning you.  And I fight my own battles with this as well.  I've been hitting the Russian this year, yet at the same time think it should be shut down.  How do I resolve that?

-Allen

Yet, didn't you fish the Mad yesterday?  Don't get me wrong here, I'm not condemning you.  And I fight my own battles with this as well.  I've been hitting the Russian this year, yet at the same time think it should be shut down.  How do I resolve that?

-Allen

The Mad opened because it hit its flow target.  That's different than the rivers (every river up here) opening due to no low flow restrictions after 1/31.  I also fished just above tidewater where there aren't salmon redds.

Yet, didn't you fish the Mad yesterday?  Don't get me wrong here, I'm not condemning you.  And I fight my own battles with this as well.  I've been hitting the Russian this year, yet at the same time think it should be shut down.  How do I resolve that?

-Allen

The Mad opened because it hit its flow target.  That's different than the rivers (every river up here) opening due to no low flow restrictions after 1/31.  I also fished just above tidewater where there aren't salmon redds.

There are no flow targets after Jan 31, right?  So technically, it opened up with the rest of them.

My dilemma is more about personal choices.  The Russian doesn't have low flow closures.  Yet, I've still been fishing it.  Although I decided not to this weekend, as I'm just going to let it close.

-Allen

There are no flow targets after Jan 31, right?  So technically, it opened up with the rest of them.

It opened Friday due to flow, like I said.  So did the Van Duzen, which is 5 minutes from my house, but I traveled up to a watershed where I could fish for a hatchery steelhead near tidewater.

There are no flow targets after Jan 31, right?  So technically, it opened up with the rest of them.

It opened Friday due to flow, like I said.

Yeah, but they can't close it anymore due to low flow.  It other words, it would have opened up on Saturday regardless of the flows.

But we're kind of getting sidetracked.  Should any of the rivers be open right now, regardless of current flows?

-Allen

As far as the Russian goes perhaps one might diminish the furbag take by catching a hatchery steelhead or two. When the mouth was opened Friday the seals and sea lions had a field day. I haven't been out yet mainly because I don't like hammering on fish stacked up in the few pools between Monte Rio and Guerneville with a crowd of other fisherman. With a decent water flow in the Russian, fish and fisherman are spread out, making for a better experience,  but that might not happen this year.

There are no flow targets after Jan 31, right?  So technically, it opened up with the rest of them.

It opened Friday due to flow, like I said.

Yeah, but they can't close it anymore due to low flow.  It other words, it would have opened up on Saturday regardless of the flows.

But we're kind of getting sidetracked.  Should any of the rivers be open right now, regardless of current flows?

-Allen

I dontknow about regardless of current flows, but I dont think they should open until they get some water. There was a guide on the elk/rogue/chetco that canceled most of his fall salmon trips because there was "no way to ethically catch fish. Thays a good model to me.