In response to continued extreme drought conditions, the Fish and Game Commission has established a quick response process to temporarily close fisheries experiencing degraded environmental conditions that may affect fish populations or their habitat. The criteria are intended to ensure that fisheries are protected under critical conditions stemming from the drought. These criteria will be monitored in statewide inland fisheries, and they will be evaluated on a water by water basis over time as conditions change.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife will maintain a list of closed waters and update that list on Wednesday of each week by 1:00 pm. In the event that water conditions change later in the week, the fishing status for each specific water will not change until the day following the next Wednesday. It will be the responsibility of the angler to use the telephone number below or go to the department’s website at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Regulations to obtain the current status of any water. The number to call for information is (916) 445-7600.
So call before you go fishing to ensure the water you wish to fish is open. If your trip extends over a Wednesday, call again to be sure its status has not changed.
Thanks to Lowell Ashbaugh, NCC Conservation VP for the IFFF for the heads up on this.