June 2011 Archives
Marine biologist Carrie Wilson with the Department of Fish and Game produced this Question & Answer feature. If you have a question, contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.
Q: We were fishing Hot Creek in Mono County last weekend, and my friend caught a rainbow trout that looked unhealthy. We thought it might have Whirling Disease. (See photo at http://californiaoutdoors.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/rainbow-whirling-disease.jpg)
Based on the picture, is this a likely case of whirling disease? Have fish with this disease been found in Hot Creek before? Assuming this was a case of whirling disease, what should we have done? We never keep fish and Hot Creek has zero-kill regulations, but it would seem wise to remove a whirling-diseased fish from the stream to give to the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) for examination. Since we were unsure, we released it. In the future, what would be the best practice for maintaining the health of the fisheries in the watershed if we knew this was a diseased fish? Could we have collected this fish to turn over to the DFG for evaluation?
A: This may be a case of whirling disease (WD), but it's impossible to make that determination based on the photo alone. Whirling disease afflicts juvenile fish causing neurological damage and skeletal deformation. Afflicted fish may not be able to swim in a normal manner. When startled, they "whirl" rather than darting away as a normal fish would. Survival rates for infected fingerlings are low (~10 percent), and those that do survive have difficulty feeding and become easy prey for predators. Humans cannot be afflicted with the disease.
According to DFG Senior Fish Health Coordinator Dr. Mark A. Adkison, whirling disease has a tropism for the cranial cartilage (e.g., the cranium appears turned or twisted). The disease is carried by the aquatic oligochaete Tubifex tubifex (a segmented worm) wherein spores (actinospores) develop and are released into the environment. These spores infect fish through the skin. The parasite develops in the skin for a few days and then travels through the nerves and spinal cord, eventually emerging from the nerves into the cranial cartilage where it grows and develops into its final spore stage (myxospores).
As part of the development process in young fish, the parasite consumes and deforms the cartilage. This causes the cranial deformities such as a sloped head, crooked jaw and shortened operculum so commonly seen in WD-infected fish. Since the fish in the photo does not have the characteristic cranial deformities that typically accompany such severe spinal deformities, the deformities may be due to some other cause.
Other possibilities include nutritional deficiencies or coldwater disease (CWD) which can also cause spinal deformities like the ones seen in the fish in the photo. Flavobacterium psychrophilum is a bacteria present in most, if not all trout waters of the state and is the causative agent of CWD. This disease is not a problem in the wild. It is a disease of concern in our hatcheries and it's fairly easy to control by reducing fish densities and antibiotic treatment. Mortalities are typically acute.
Whirling disease is probably present in Hot Creek since it flows into the upper Owens River, and the upper Owens River is positive for WD. Therefore, it is likely that Hot Creek is positive for WD. The only way to tell for sure if a fish has WD is to test the fish for the presence of the WD parasite (myxospores) itself. The test is a terminal one though and not something you could do visually or perform stream side.
DFG Associate Fish Pathologist Dr. Garry O. Kelley adds that once Myxobolus cerebralis (which causes WD) is established in a natural system, it's there for good. There's strong evidence that suggest WD prevalence in the wild may be reduced by eliminating susceptible or infected salmonids and by reducing habitats for the other host, the aquatic oligochaete.
Reducing WD prevalence will help recruitment efforts since the parasite prefers the young of the year. If the regulations allow bag limits, then removing any deformed fish would be welcomed. Just keep in mind that a fish that grossly appears WD-positive may actually be negative, even in WD-positive waters. Specifically, the deformities could be genetic, an injury or some other pathogen (e.g., cold water disease).
As far as what to do with a diseased fish, from a biological point of view, if the fish was infected with WD to the point where it had severe deformities, it would probably be good to remove it from the creek to decrease the WD spore load in the environment. However, from the enforcement side, if it's a no kill zone then it's up to enforcement as to whether they would cite the fisherman for not returning the fish to the stream.
Q: We were fishing Hot Creek in Mono County last weekend, and my friend caught a rainbow trout that looked unhealthy. We thought it might have Whirling Disease. (See photo at http://californiaoutdoors.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/rainbow-whirling-disease.jpg)
Based on the picture, is this a likely case of whirling disease? Have fish with this disease been found in Hot Creek before? Assuming this was a case of whirling disease, what should we have done? We never keep fish and Hot Creek has zero-kill regulations, but it would seem wise to remove a whirling-diseased fish from the stream to give to the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) for examination. Since we were unsure, we released it. In the future, what would be the best practice for maintaining the health of the fisheries in the watershed if we knew this was a diseased fish? Could we have collected this fish to turn over to the DFG for evaluation?
A: This may be a case of whirling disease (WD), but it's impossible to make that determination based on the photo alone. Whirling disease afflicts juvenile fish causing neurological damage and skeletal deformation. Afflicted fish may not be able to swim in a normal manner. When startled, they "whirl" rather than darting away as a normal fish would. Survival rates for infected fingerlings are low (~10 percent), and those that do survive have difficulty feeding and become easy prey for predators. Humans cannot be afflicted with the disease.
According to DFG Senior Fish Health Coordinator Dr. Mark A. Adkison, whirling disease has a tropism for the cranial cartilage (e.g., the cranium appears turned or twisted). The disease is carried by the aquatic oligochaete Tubifex tubifex (a segmented worm) wherein spores (actinospores) develop and are released into the environment. These spores infect fish through the skin. The parasite develops in the skin for a few days and then travels through the nerves and spinal cord, eventually emerging from the nerves into the cranial cartilage where it grows and develops into its final spore stage (myxospores).
As part of the development process in young fish, the parasite consumes and deforms the cartilage. This causes the cranial deformities such as a sloped head, crooked jaw and shortened operculum so commonly seen in WD-infected fish. Since the fish in the photo does not have the characteristic cranial deformities that typically accompany such severe spinal deformities, the deformities may be due to some other cause.
Other possibilities include nutritional deficiencies or coldwater disease (CWD) which can also cause spinal deformities like the ones seen in the fish in the photo. Flavobacterium psychrophilum is a bacteria present in most, if not all trout waters of the state and is the causative agent of CWD. This disease is not a problem in the wild. It is a disease of concern in our hatcheries and it's fairly easy to control by reducing fish densities and antibiotic treatment. Mortalities are typically acute.
Whirling disease is probably present in Hot Creek since it flows into the upper Owens River, and the upper Owens River is positive for WD. Therefore, it is likely that Hot Creek is positive for WD. The only way to tell for sure if a fish has WD is to test the fish for the presence of the WD parasite (myxospores) itself. The test is a terminal one though and not something you could do visually or perform stream side.
DFG Associate Fish Pathologist Dr. Garry O. Kelley adds that once Myxobolus cerebralis (which causes WD) is established in a natural system, it's there for good. There's strong evidence that suggest WD prevalence in the wild may be reduced by eliminating susceptible or infected salmonids and by reducing habitats for the other host, the aquatic oligochaete.
Reducing WD prevalence will help recruitment efforts since the parasite prefers the young of the year. If the regulations allow bag limits, then removing any deformed fish would be welcomed. Just keep in mind that a fish that grossly appears WD-positive may actually be negative, even in WD-positive waters. Specifically, the deformities could be genetic, an injury or some other pathogen (e.g., cold water disease).
As far as what to do with a diseased fish, from a biological point of view, if the fish was infected with WD to the point where it had severe deformities, it would probably be good to remove it from the creek to decrease the WD spore load in the environment. However, from the enforcement side, if it's a no kill zone then it's up to enforcement as to whether they would cite the fisherman for not returning the fish to the stream.
Oysters are critical for the marine ecosystem.
A single adult oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day, consuming plankton -- thus allowing sunlight to penetrate the water depths, so that aquatic vegetation can flourish.
Oyster beds provide habitats for attracting fish, crustaceans and other marine life. And they are environmentally sustainable on their own since they do not compete with other species for food, nor consume more protein than they produce.
But the oyster that is, the Olympia oyster (ostrea lurlda) -- has experienced substantial population declines throughout its historical range, which is Sitka, Alaska to Baja California, Mexico, since the early 1900s.
Cal State Fullerton has received an $85,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the restoration of native oysters in Southern California. And the Long Beach city manager received the City Council's nod to execute a nonexclusive right-of-entry permit to the Jack Dunster Marine Biological Reserve for a restoration project, beginning Friday and ending Dec. 31, 2017.
According to a city staff report:
"Oyster restoration efforts along the west coast of the United States have augmented mudflat habitats with oyster shell in order to provide a settlement habitat for larval oysters. This restoration project will explore oyster larval settlement, shell attrition, epifaunal and infaunal community biodiversity, as well as oyster survival and growth. By restoring the native oyster beds at Jack Dunster Marine Biological Reserve, this project will improve the integrity and resilience of the area's ecosystem. Olympia oyster enhancement will improve the overall habitat and water quality."
A single adult oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day, consuming plankton -- thus allowing sunlight to penetrate the water depths, so that aquatic vegetation can flourish.
Oyster beds provide habitats for attracting fish, crustaceans and other marine life. And they are environmentally sustainable on their own since they do not compete with other species for food, nor consume more protein than they produce.
But the oyster that is, the Olympia oyster (ostrea lurlda) -- has experienced substantial population declines throughout its historical range, which is Sitka, Alaska to Baja California, Mexico, since the early 1900s.
Cal State Fullerton has received an $85,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the restoration of native oysters in Southern California. And the Long Beach city manager received the City Council's nod to execute a nonexclusive right-of-entry permit to the Jack Dunster Marine Biological Reserve for a restoration project, beginning Friday and ending Dec. 31, 2017.
According to a city staff report:
"Oyster restoration efforts along the west coast of the United States have augmented mudflat habitats with oyster shell in order to provide a settlement habitat for larval oysters. This restoration project will explore oyster larval settlement, shell attrition, epifaunal and infaunal community biodiversity, as well as oyster survival and growth. By restoring the native oyster beds at Jack Dunster Marine Biological Reserve, this project will improve the integrity and resilience of the area's ecosystem. Olympia oyster enhancement will improve the overall habitat and water quality."
Department of Fish and Game marine biologist Carrie Wilson produces this Q&A feature. If you have a question, contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.
Q: First, what is the best method for keeping Dungeness crab alive and in the best cooking condition for hours, or even three or four days? Secondly, when less than 50 percent of the crabs quit moving, are they still edible? If so, is there a time frame for this?
A: Ideally, it's always safest to keep the crabs alive until you're ready to put them directly into the cooking pot. To keep them alive for transport, the crabs should be kept cool, moist, covered with fresh seaweed, and then covered with a soaked burlap bag on top. You should be able to keep them alive overnight (and maybe longer) this way, but I wouldn't push it. To keep them alive for several days, you'll need a well-aerated saltwater tank, ideally with filtration. Without good aeration and filtration, low dissolved oxygen becomes an issue, and because as the crabs urinate in the water (bluish water), without filtration the meat will slowly spoil.
As far as how long the crabs will remain edible after dying, I wouldn't wait longer than an hour to toss them into the boiling pot, but that's up to you. Once crabs die, the meat starts to decompose if not cooked quickly. One reason is because when the crab dies, its mid-gut gland (the source of food digestion enzymes) is soon attacked and damaged by those same enzymes, and then the enzymes spread out into the muscle tissue, breaking it down into mush. Yuck!
Bottom line ... Dungeness crab are one of California's most delicious and popular seafoods, and are always best enjoyed when kept alive until ready to drop into the cooking pot.
Q: I have a friend who is building a lodge-type home in the mountains and wants to decorate his fireplace with the stuffed head of a deer or other antlered animal. I'm not sure he can legally buy animal mounts in California. If it's not legal here, he wants to commission me to go to Montana or Arizona to find him a suitable trophy mount and purchase it for him. I don't mind doing it for him as long as it's legal. What is the law?
A: It is legal to go to states that allow such transactions so long as a declaration of entry for those mounts is made when you bring them back to California (Fish and Game Code, section 2353).
Wildlife mounts from wildlife found in the wild in California, however, can only be given to others - they cannot be bought, sold, bartered or traded (Fish and Game Code, section 3039). No money or compensation can be exchanged. There are no such issues with wild animals not found in the wild in California (such as caribou or moose) as long as they are not protected under other laws, such as the Endangered Species Act.
People often ask us what they can do with mounts they no longer want. We often suggest donating them to schools, stores or community service clubs (e.g. Rotary, Lions, Scouts). You might check with some of these organizations to see if they have any wildlife mounts they no longer need and might be interested in giving to you.
Q: Since the introduction of the abalone report card, fishermen must now enter on the card the area where the abalone was taken. At the end of the season, these cards are mailed into the DFG. Can you tell me if there is a report available that would tell me the quantity of abalone that are taken from the different areas that are listed on the report card?
A: Yes, it's on the Marine Region website at: www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/abcatch02-09.pdf
Q: I want to use frozen trout for bait in San Francisco Bay. Would this be legal since the trout were originally caught from various locations in northern California? Would my possession limit of these fish on the boat be tied to where the fish were caught (the possession limit for the particular waters where taken) versus the local trout possession limit allowed where I am fishing?
A: Trout may be used as bait in ocean waters. The possession limit for trout while in the Ocean Fishing District is three per person no matter where they are taken (CCR, Title 14, sections 1.59 and 27.70.)
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) encourages state residents to actively participate in the California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision.
The executive committee of the Strategic Vision announced that they are accepting applications for the stakeholder advisory group.
The stakeholder advisory group represents a diverse range of interests affecting state policies that manage fish and wildlife, including individuals representing fishing and hunting interests, non-profit conservation organizations, non-consumptive recreational users, landowners, scientific and educational interests, and others dedicated to habitat conservation and protection of public trust resources.
Among other tasks, the stakeholder group will advise and support the executive committee.
Applications can be found at www.vision.ca.gov and will be accepted through July 13.
The California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision began from legislation (AB 2376, Huffman) signed into law last year, requiring the Natural Resources Agency to convene a committee to develop a strategic vision for DFG and the Fish and Game Commission. The goal is to provide real solutions to improve and enhance DFG's capacity and effectiveness in fulfilling its public trust responsibilities for the protection and management of the state's fish and wildlife, for their ecological values, and for the benefit of the people.
"We are pleased that the process is under way," said DFG Acting Director John McCamman. "We ask our many partners, stakeholders and other interested parties to help shape this vision, and to take this opportunity to share what has worked and what hasn't in the department's more than 100 years of existence."
The executive committee of the Strategic Vision announced that they are accepting applications for the stakeholder advisory group.
The stakeholder advisory group represents a diverse range of interests affecting state policies that manage fish and wildlife, including individuals representing fishing and hunting interests, non-profit conservation organizations, non-consumptive recreational users, landowners, scientific and educational interests, and others dedicated to habitat conservation and protection of public trust resources.
Among other tasks, the stakeholder group will advise and support the executive committee.
Applications can be found at www.vision.ca.gov and will be accepted through July 13.
The California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision began from legislation (AB 2376, Huffman) signed into law last year, requiring the Natural Resources Agency to convene a committee to develop a strategic vision for DFG and the Fish and Game Commission. The goal is to provide real solutions to improve and enhance DFG's capacity and effectiveness in fulfilling its public trust responsibilities for the protection and management of the state's fish and wildlife, for their ecological values, and for the benefit of the people.
"We are pleased that the process is under way," said DFG Acting Director John McCamman. "We ask our many partners, stakeholders and other interested parties to help shape this vision, and to take this opportunity to share what has worked and what hasn't in the department's more than 100 years of existence."
The state Department of Fish & Game (DFG) issued the following tips about coyotes:
"Clever, nimble and quick, the coyote may at first glance appear to be more of a nuisance than a direct threat. But don't let your guard down.
"Coyotes - especially those who live in urban settings and have grown accustomed to humans - can become emboldened to the point where they become a public safety threat."
" 'Once coyotes become habituated to people, they begin to exhibit increased levels of aggression, which can lead to biting incidents,' explained Kevin Brennan, a DFG biologist.
"The coyote (Canis latrans) is a member of the dog family and is native to California. It closely resembles a small German shepherd with the exception of the long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail. Because they are tolerant of human activities and rapidly adjust to changes in their environment, the highly adaptable coyote populates virtually the entire state.
"Brennan notes that coyotes are actually the most populous in suburban neighborhoods, in part because there are so many food sources available to them in addition to their usual diet of rabbits, mice, birds and other small animals, young deer and sheep. Those additional food sources include left-out pet food and left-out pets, as well as unsecured garbage in neighborhoods and the rodents such garbage attracts. When coyotes are allowed access to human food and garbage, either deliberately or inadvertently, they can lose their fear of people and become a real danger.
" 'The key to minimizing coyote-human contact is based on educating the public about coyote behavior and taking sensible precautions,' Brennan said.
"To avoid problems with coyotes, people should follow these guidelines:
"* Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes. The result may be deadly conflicts or serious injuries to pets, livestock and even small children.
"* Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.
"*Be aware that coyotes are more active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.
"*If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal's direction.
"Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
"Most coyote sightings should be reported to local animal control districts. However, if a coyote acts aggressively or attacks people, call 911. For details, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/."
"Clever, nimble and quick, the coyote may at first glance appear to be more of a nuisance than a direct threat. But don't let your guard down.
"Coyotes - especially those who live in urban settings and have grown accustomed to humans - can become emboldened to the point where they become a public safety threat."
" 'Once coyotes become habituated to people, they begin to exhibit increased levels of aggression, which can lead to biting incidents,' explained Kevin Brennan, a DFG biologist.
"The coyote (Canis latrans) is a member of the dog family and is native to California. It closely resembles a small German shepherd with the exception of the long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail. Because they are tolerant of human activities and rapidly adjust to changes in their environment, the highly adaptable coyote populates virtually the entire state.
"Brennan notes that coyotes are actually the most populous in suburban neighborhoods, in part because there are so many food sources available to them in addition to their usual diet of rabbits, mice, birds and other small animals, young deer and sheep. Those additional food sources include left-out pet food and left-out pets, as well as unsecured garbage in neighborhoods and the rodents such garbage attracts. When coyotes are allowed access to human food and garbage, either deliberately or inadvertently, they can lose their fear of people and become a real danger.
" 'The key to minimizing coyote-human contact is based on educating the public about coyote behavior and taking sensible precautions,' Brennan said.
"To avoid problems with coyotes, people should follow these guidelines:
"* Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes. The result may be deadly conflicts or serious injuries to pets, livestock and even small children.
"* Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.
"*Be aware that coyotes are more active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.
"*If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal's direction.
"Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
"Most coyote sightings should be reported to local animal control districts. However, if a coyote acts aggressively or attacks people, call 911. For details, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/."
Department of Fish and Game marine biologist Carrie Wilson ;roduced this Q&A feature. If you have a question, contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.
Q: What is the definition of a boat or vessel? I ask because I am altering an old waterski kneeboard into a specialized abalone diving rig with a small anchor so I can accurately place my board closer to abalone. It's a smaller version of a surfboard. It has no sails, rudders, oars or motor but does have an anchor. The anchor will be a marker for me to follow down on my next breath. I am wondering though if by adding this anchor I am making it into what will be construed to be a vessel?
A: There is no prohibition against using a kneeboard instead of a float tube, which is much more common for abalone. A diver may use an anchor on a float tube or kneeboard if they choose to, but most just tie a line to a piece of kelp to keep the tube in place. What you describe is a legal device to access an abalone diving spot as long as you are not using SCUBA equipment. A kneeboard would not be considered a boat or vessel so you will not need to tag your abalone until you return to shore.
Q: Our fishing club is planning a fishing trip for local crab out of the Santa Monica Bay area. Some people in the group insist we should only keep one claw from each crab so they can be put back to grow another claw and still live. I know with lobsters we are instructed to leave them whole until they are ready for consumption to allow the game warden to verify it's a legal catch. Is it legal to keep only one claw, or do we need the entire crab to allow the game warden to verify?
A: You are required to take the whole legal-sized crab to prove your crab is of legal size. Possessing just claws would be a violation because the size of the crabs they came from cannot be determined (Fish and Game Code, section 5508). Crabs also carry a lot of meat in the body. Crab season for all crabs of the genus Cancer (except Dungeness crabs) is open all year. The size limit in Southern California is four inches and the part of the crab that we measure is the main body shell (edge of shell to edge of shell at the widest part).
While crabs may be able to regenerate lost claws under good conditions, crabs with only one claw have a far tougher time fending off predators than if they had both claws for protection. Predators will go after any weakened animal, so just removing a claw may be considered a waste of fish - also a state violation.
Q: My friend is coming to California soon and I'd like to take him out pig hunting. Since we'll only have a couple of days available to hunt, can he just purchase a two-day nonresident license to cover him on the days we hunt? It seems like a waste to buy a full license for only a few days of hunting.
A: Unfortunately, no. The two-day hunting license is only valid for taking resident small game and nongame birds/mammals and is not valid for big game species in California.. Your friend would be required to buy an annual nonresident license and a current nonresident wild pig tag.
Q: If a stream with a state highway marker goes under the Pacific Coast Highway and into a beached cove, can I walk down the center of the stream to the ocean and go for a swim? The land surrounding the stream is private, and the landowners would like to assert that no access to the cove is allowed, even from a boat.
A: In California land is deeded under flowing stream channels, so you would be trespassing. If the land is posted with no trespassing signs at 1/3 mile intervals, fenced or under cultivation you could be cited for this violation (Penal Code, section 602.8). The water you described is state water and as long as you were floating on the water, such as in a boat, there would be no violation. <CF11>
Q: What is the definition of a boat or vessel? I ask because I am altering an old waterski kneeboard into a specialized abalone diving rig with a small anchor so I can accurately place my board closer to abalone. It's a smaller version of a surfboard. It has no sails, rudders, oars or motor but does have an anchor. The anchor will be a marker for me to follow down on my next breath. I am wondering though if by adding this anchor I am making it into what will be construed to be a vessel?
A: There is no prohibition against using a kneeboard instead of a float tube, which is much more common for abalone. A diver may use an anchor on a float tube or kneeboard if they choose to, but most just tie a line to a piece of kelp to keep the tube in place. What you describe is a legal device to access an abalone diving spot as long as you are not using SCUBA equipment. A kneeboard would not be considered a boat or vessel so you will not need to tag your abalone until you return to shore.
Q: Our fishing club is planning a fishing trip for local crab out of the Santa Monica Bay area. Some people in the group insist we should only keep one claw from each crab so they can be put back to grow another claw and still live. I know with lobsters we are instructed to leave them whole until they are ready for consumption to allow the game warden to verify it's a legal catch. Is it legal to keep only one claw, or do we need the entire crab to allow the game warden to verify?
A: You are required to take the whole legal-sized crab to prove your crab is of legal size. Possessing just claws would be a violation because the size of the crabs they came from cannot be determined (Fish and Game Code, section 5508). Crabs also carry a lot of meat in the body. Crab season for all crabs of the genus Cancer (except Dungeness crabs) is open all year. The size limit in Southern California is four inches and the part of the crab that we measure is the main body shell (edge of shell to edge of shell at the widest part).
While crabs may be able to regenerate lost claws under good conditions, crabs with only one claw have a far tougher time fending off predators than if they had both claws for protection. Predators will go after any weakened animal, so just removing a claw may be considered a waste of fish - also a state violation.
Q: My friend is coming to California soon and I'd like to take him out pig hunting. Since we'll only have a couple of days available to hunt, can he just purchase a two-day nonresident license to cover him on the days we hunt? It seems like a waste to buy a full license for only a few days of hunting.
A: Unfortunately, no. The two-day hunting license is only valid for taking resident small game and nongame birds/mammals and is not valid for big game species in California.. Your friend would be required to buy an annual nonresident license and a current nonresident wild pig tag.
Q: If a stream with a state highway marker goes under the Pacific Coast Highway and into a beached cove, can I walk down the center of the stream to the ocean and go for a swim? The land surrounding the stream is private, and the landowners would like to assert that no access to the cove is allowed, even from a boat.
A: In California land is deeded under flowing stream channels, so you would be trespassing. If the land is posted with no trespassing signs at 1/3 mile intervals, fenced or under cultivation you could be cited for this violation (Penal Code, section 602.8). The water you described is state water and as long as you were floating on the water, such as in a boat, there would be no violation. <CF11>
Saturday is the first of two free fishing days in state rivers.
The state Department of Fish and Game (DFG) offers two free fishing days each year usually in conjunction with the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend when it's legal to fish without a sport fishing license. This year, the free fishing days were set for the Saturdays preceding Independence Day and Labor Day (July 2 and Sept. 3) because they fall on holiday weekends, the most convenient for the public.
Free fishing days provide a low-cost way to give fishing a try. Some DFG regions offer a fishing in the city program (visit www.dfg.ca.gov/fishinginthecity/index.html).
Fishing in the city and free fishing day clinics are designed to educate novice anglers about fishing ethics, fish habits, effective methods for catching fish and fishing tackle. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner that night.<CF12>
Anglers should check the rules and regulations (www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/) for the waters they plan to fish. Wardens will be on duty. For details, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/freefishdays.html.
The state Department of Fish and Game (DFG) offers two free fishing days each year usually in conjunction with the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend when it's legal to fish without a sport fishing license. This year, the free fishing days were set for the Saturdays preceding Independence Day and Labor Day (July 2 and Sept. 3) because they fall on holiday weekends, the most convenient for the public.
Free fishing days provide a low-cost way to give fishing a try. Some DFG regions offer a fishing in the city program (visit www.dfg.ca.gov/fishinginthecity/index.html).
Fishing in the city and free fishing day clinics are designed to educate novice anglers about fishing ethics, fish habits, effective methods for catching fish and fishing tackle. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner that night.<CF12>
Anglers should check the rules and regulations (www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/) for the waters they plan to fish. Wardens will be on duty. For details, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/freefishdays.html.
About the authors
Joe Segura, a mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper, has covered Gotham City, er Long Beach, for 34 years. During his very, very long -- endless -- tenure, he's covered almost every beat, and he was the main writer for BeachWeek, which focused on life and lifestyles of the shoreline communities from downtown Long Beach to the Huntington Beach pier.
He's also been keenly interested in environmental issues, long before green became fashionable, writing extensively about the battles to save Bolsa Chica (Huntington Beach), Hellman (Seal Beach) and Los Cerritos (Long Beach) wetlands.
E-mail Joe at joe.segura@presstelegram.com.
