Fishing in California After Fishing in Oregon

February 5, 2009

Question: I will be steelhead fishing in Oregon and was wondering if I bring home Oregon fish with the appropriate punch card, can I also stop and fish on the way back (in California) and retain a fish using a California punch card? (John S.)

Answer: So let’s say you took one steelhead from the Chetco River in Oregon and then stop off at the Smith River to fish. According to Lt. Dennis McKiver, since the bag and possession limit for the Smith River is one steelhead, you cannot then fish for steelhead in the Smith River while in possession of one steelhead. If you took another steelhead you would be over the possession limit. You will also have to complete and submit a “Declaration of Entry Form” when bringing fish and game in from another state. Having the steelhead recorded on an Oregon Report Card will not be enough. The declaration forms can be found online at www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/docs/declaration_form.pdf.