2013-2014 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations

Effective March 1, 2013

Species Regulations (CCR, T14, Chapter 2, Article 4, Sections 5.20-5.51)

5.20. Clams, Freshwater.

• (a) Open season: All year, except for closures listed under special regulations.
• (b) Limit: Fifty pounds (in the shell).
• (c) Methods of take: Freshwater clams may be taken only by hand, or by spade, shovel, hoe, rake or other appliance operated by hand.
• (d) The season closures in Chapter 3 (District Trout and Salmon Special Regulations) do not apply to freshwater clam fishing (see sections 7.00 and 7.50(a)(2)).

5.25. Corvina in the Salton Sea.

• (a) Open season: All year.
• (b) Bag limit: Two.
• (c) Possession Limit: Four.
• (d) Minimum size limit: 18 inches total length.

5.26. Gulf Croaker and Sargo in the Salton Sea

• (a) Open season: All year.
• (b) Daily bag limit: Six each species.
• (c) Possession limit: 12 each species.
• (d) Size limit: None.

5.30. Crappie.

See Section 5.82 for the combined sunfish and crappie bag limit regulations.

5.35. Crayfish.

• (a) Open season: All year, except for closures listed in subsection (d) of this Section.
• (b) Limit: No limit.
• (c) Methods of take:Crayfish may be taken only by hand, hook and line, dip net or with traps not over three feet in greatest dimension. Any other species taken shall be returned to the water immediately. Traps need not be closely attended.
• (d) Closures for Protection of Shasta Crayfish: Fall River upstream of Spring Creek Bridge, Lava Creek, Tule River and all connected waters upstream of Little Tule River, Sucker Springs Creek, Crystal Lake, Rising River and Rising River Lake are closed to take and possession of crayfish. (See Section 4.30 for prohibition against crayfish use for bait in sections of the Pit River).
• (e) The season closures in Chapter 3 (District Trout and Salmon Special Regulations) do not apply to crayfish fishing with methods other than hook and line (see sections 7.00 and 7.50(a)(2)).

5.37. Grass Carp.

• (a) No grass carp may be taken or possessed at any time, except that any grass carp inadvertently taken must be immediately returned unharmed to the water.
• (b) Exception for Siskiyou and Shasta Counties for any waters, within the Sacramento River drainage above and including Lake Shasta: All grass carp taken shall be killed immediately by removing the head and shall be retained by the angler. The angler shall notify CDFW that he/she has taken and possesses a grass carp by calling CDFW’s telephone number (1-530-225-2278) as soon as possible, but not more than 24 hours after taking the grass carp.

5.40. Lamprey.

• (a) Open season: All year, except for closures listed under district or special regulations.
• (b) Limit: 5.
• (c) Methods of take: Lamprey may be taken only by hand, hook, spear, bow and arrow fishing tackle, or dip net.
• (d) The season closures in Chapter 3 (District Trout and Salmon Special Regulations) do not apply to lamprey fishing with methods other than hook and line (see sections 7.00 and 7.50(a)(2)).

5.45. Marine Fin Fish, Mollusks and Crustaceans.

Marine fin fish, mollusks and crustaceans taken in lagoons and tidal waters are subject to the bag and possession limits established for the Ocean and San Francisco Bay District (beginning with Section 27.00). See the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.

5.50. Mountain Whitefish.

• (a) Open season: No mountain whitefish may be taken in any water except when trout may be taken in such water.
• (b) Limit: Five.

5.51. Northern Pike.

No northern pike, dead or alive, may be released into any water at any time. All northern pike taken shall be killed immediately by removing the head and shall be retained by the angler. The angler shall notify CDFW that he/she has taken and possesses a northern pike by calling CDFW’s CalTIP telephone number (1-888-DFG-CALTIP) as soon as possible, but not more than 24 hours after taking the northern pike. The angler shall maintain the head and body of the fish in a refrigerated or frozen condition, whenever possible, until CDFW collects the northern pike.