Snapshot: Saltwater State Record Catches for 2017

Jeffrey Yuan and his state angling record Calico Surfperch – CDFW file photo

Daniel Silveira and his state diving record Bocaccio – CDFW file photo

Yu Fukushima and his state diving record Shortfin Mako Shark – CDFW file photo

In 2017, four saltwater anglers and three spear fishermen became new state record holders after hauling in some exceptional fish. 

Creature Feature: California Corbina

California Corbina are found from Point Conception southward off California to a depth of 45 ft. Small groups of this species travel along the bottom off sandy beaches and in shallow bays. Adults have been observed feeding in the surf, at times in water so shallow that their backs were exposed. 

Final 2017 Commercial Landings Reports Now Available

Commercial gillnetter with a deck full of Pacific Herring.
CDFW photo

The Final California Commercial Landings report for 2017 has been posted to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website. The report consists of summary tables that provide landings information by month, by port, and by area of California.

2017 commercial passenger fishing vessel (party/charter boat) landings have also been posted in summary table form.

As Crab Season Ends, Time to Collect Gear

Commercial crab traps
CDFW photo by C. Juhasz

With the end of the season less than a month away, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds Dungeness crab fishermen that all gear must be removed from the water by the last day of the season. The commercial and recreational fishing seasons close south of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line on Saturday, June 30. North of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line the commercial season closes on Sunday, July 15, while the recreational season closes on Monday, July 30.

The reminder is part of an effort to clear coastal waters of Dungeness crab traps in a timely manner

Recreational and Commercial Fishing Regulations Available for Download

Did you know that you can download state fishing regulations to your smartphone or other device? Using iBooks on Apple devices or your favorite book reader on the Android platform, you can download the regulations booklets for reference at any time.

As noted in the 2018-2019 Saltwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet, recreational fishermen will want to take note of a few changes in fishing regulations this season.

Most notably, the recreational red abalone fishery is closed for 2018, and likely longer. To learn more about the reasons behind the unprecedented closure, see “Perfect Storm” Decimates Northern California Kelp Forests, written by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) biologists and published on the Marine Management News blogsite.