CDFW Seeking Public Input on Proposed Slot Limit for Striped Bass

July 28, 2022

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is soliciting public input on a proposed regulation change that would restrict the harvest of striped bass to a “slot limit” between 20 and 30 inches for inland anadromous waters. Under the proposal, all striped bass caught below 20 inches in length and above 30 inches in length would have to be released.

The Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association has submitted the regulation change proposal to the California Fish and Game Commission. The stated goal is to protect the species by increasing the minimum length to allow more fish to mature and successfully spawn prior to harvest and to protect the larger fish that tend to be the most prolific spawners and are becoming increasingly rare in the fishery.

If approved, the slot limit would apply to any striped bass caught by recreational anglers in all anadromous inland waters of the state, which includes coastal and Central Valley rivers and streams and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the Carquinez Bridge near Vallejo. This proposal would not include inland reservoirs or lakes or ocean waters, which include the San Francisco and San Pablo bays up to the Carquinez Bridge.

Under existing regulations, anglers fishing for striped bass in anadromous waters are limited to two striped bass per day, each with a minimum size of 18 inches in total length. There is no maximum size limit. The daily limit of two fish would not change under the proposal.

CDFW scientists are currently evaluating the available angler survey and monitoring data to help determine how this proposed change may affect the striped bass fishery, including harvest opportunities and biological processes. CDFW is requesting input from the public on the interest and support of the proposed regulation change before making recommendations to the California Fish and Game Commission.

CDFW has developed a Striped Bass Angler Preference Survey to solicit input. Anglers can participate by following this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPJL6DR.

CDFW and the Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association will also host a public meeting on the proposed regulation change on Wednesday, August 24, 2022. Those interested can attend and participate either in person or remotely (online or by phone).

The meeting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. within CDFW’s Fisheries’ Branch headquarters, 1010 Riverside Parkway, West Sacramento, 95605, in the California Poppy Conference Room.

Participants can visit the following link to join the meeting online: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81676220423. Those wishing to listen or participate by phone can do so by calling (866) 390-1828.

At the meeting, the public is invited to ask questions of both CDFW and the Nor Cal-Guides and Sportsmen’s Association. CDFW staff will provide updates on the current state of the striped bass fishery along with existing angler survey data.

Why are we protecting striped bass at all?  They are salmon smolt killing machines.

This is really, really stupid.

These fish are not native why are you protecting a fish that was brought here in the 1800s. Regulate the salmon, halibut and rock fish population more. Not a fish that eats salmon and is invasive. Terrible decision took your survey you sent but doubt that will mean anything!

This is what I wrote on their Facebook page lol I hope they don’t make this change

Science to prove science works?  Reason to spend money to justify more budget?  Idk what this is about... Where is the why?  What is it they need protection from?

I'd rather see reg changes for halibut: two-fish limit and barbless hooks.

I'd rather see reg changes for halibut: two-fish limit and barbless hooks.

+1

Also, increase the minimum length to 26", at least in the ocean.

I would favor removing specific regulations for striped bass so they would just fall under the default bag limit of 10 fish with no size limit. The small ones are the lowest in mercury, after all. Unfortunately, there is a very vocal contingent that opposes any loosening of size or bag limits for striped bass.

+1 for more focus on conservation of native species, which striped bass are not.

Changes wouldn't require any shift in my own actions, I'm not keeping striper that big anyway. Too much heavy metal accumulation.

You may be surprised about California's non native fishes

. https://calfish.ucdavis.edu/Non-Native_Fish_Species/
If you want to increase salmon numbers remove the dams, prohibit logging, prohibit use of river waters for agriculture and city use, prohibit runoff of chemicals into rivers, etc.
I am not suggesting that those things should happen, just trying to give perspective.
When I was a kid down in the LA area I talked to an old timer who used to catch steelhead in the San Gabriel river.  No striped bass down there.

https://calfish.ucdavis.edu/Non-Native_Fish_Species/?uid=46&ds=241

I'm gonna go lock my doors real quick.

I'd rather see reg changes for halibut: two-fish limit and barbless hooks.

100%

https://calfish.ucdavis.edu/Non-Native_Fish_Species/?uid=46&ds=241

I'm gonna go lock my doors real quick.

Locking your doors won’t do any good, it will just impersonate your favorite person or a Girl Scout selling thin mints, you’ll open the door, game over.

Wasn't it a few years ago California declared war on stripers and wanted them all dead? Oh maybe a decade ago since I was still there.

Ya,while we are at it. Large mouth bass,out of here. Small mouth not native. Crappie cannot allow them. German brown, brookies,mac's kill em all! Bluegill not native. Channel cat gone. Do I need to keep going? The stripers and salmon numbers were very healthy for decades.  What happened?  They drained the water out of Northern California.

https://calfish.ucdavis.edu/Non-Native_Fish_Species/?uid=46&ds=241

I'm gonna go lock my doors real quick.

Candygram...