Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas: Reading Rock State Marine Conservation Area and Reading Rock State Marine Reserve

Imagine cruising along Highway 101, enjoying one of California’s most scenic drives north of San Francisco. As the hustle and bustle of California’s Golden Gate City falls far behind, the scenery changes from developed cityscapes and suburban neighborhoods to undeveloped coastlines and breathtaking views.

Creature Feature: Yellowtail

Yellowtail may be found statewide off California, but most fish are taken south of Point Conception from the sea surface to a depth of 228 ft. Prime yellowtail areas include the La Jolla kelp beds, the area between Oceanside and Dana Point, Horseshoe Kelp, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Santa Catalina Island, and San Clemente Island. 

Spiny Lobster Report Cards Due by April 30, 2019

California spiny lobster
illustration by J. Hofmeister

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds 2018-2019 Spiny Lobster Report Card holders to submit their harvest report online or return their cards by April 30, 2019, as required by law. Information collected from the cards provides CDFW with data necessary to monitor and manage California’s spiny lobster fishery. CDFW generates estimates of recreational spiny lobster catch and effort based on data collected from lobster report cards each season.

CDFW is making a focused effort to improve estimates of recreational lobster effort and catch by taking action to increase the number of report cards returned each year. It is extremely important for

2019 Ocean Salmon Seasons Finalized for the California Coast

King salmon caught off the San Francisco coastline.
CDFW photo

Ocean salmon anglers across the California coast will be able to spend more time on the water this year chasing after King Salmon (also known as Chinook Salmon). At its meeting this week in Rohnert Park, the Pacific Fishery Management Council finalized and adopted ocean salmon seasons beginning on or after May 1 through the remainder of the year.

Sport fisheries in the Klamath Management Zone will open from late May through early September. Fort Bragg and San Francisco areas are currently open; they will close for the first half of May, then reopen and continue through the end of October. The Monterey management area is open now and remains open through late August.

Despite an increase in fishing opportunity this year, ocean salmon season

2019 Recreational and Commercial Fishing Regulations Available for Download

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW’s) annual Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet and Commercial Fishing Regulations Digest are now available on the CDFW website.

Ocean Sport Fishing
With the 2019 sport saltwater fishing season taking off, it’s a good time to grab the annual Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet and review ocean fishing regulations. There have been a few changes, so recreational anglers will want to take note.

Last December the California Fish and Game Commission closed the recreational