California Outdoors Q&As, Mar. 4: Baiting crab traps with rockfish carcasses?
 By Carrie Wilson, CA DFG Marine Biologist Question: I belong to a popular fishing forum on the Internet, and most of my fellow sport fishermen say that when they bait their crab traps/pots, they can use whatever bait they want. Many people are using the carcasses from regulated game fish, such as rockfish, after the fish have been filleted. During previous salmon seasons, they used salmon carcasses, too. Isn't there something in the regulations about this subject? If a person saves their fish carcasses in their freezer, for instance, and then goes out and uses those carcasses in their crab traps, isn't that still considered as "possession"? If I put out crab pots baited with rockfish carcasses, spend the day catching my limit of rockfish and then come back to pull my pots to head back in, I not only have my legal limit of fresh rockfish, but also a bunch of other rockfish carcasses. And what about having those carcasses when a fish isn't even in season?
I seem to be alone in believing that we need to follow certain rules about using fish as crab bait, and now I am very anxious to clear this up once and for all, with your help. Thank you so much for your time and consideration in this matter. (Cat C., North Fork)
Answer: Generally, portions of the fish that are normally discarded after cleaning do not count toward a possession limit. For example, let’s say you catch 10 rockfish. When you clean them, you end up with 20 fillets and 10 boney carcasses in your possession. Most people would discard the 10 carcasses, minus the fillets, and keep the 20 fillets to eat. The 20 fillets are your possession limit of 10 rockfish.
You can keep the 10 carcasses for crab bait and these carcasses would not count as part of your rockfish possession limit.
According to Department of Fish and Game Lieutenant Dennis McKiver, to eliminate any questions or confusion when you go out crabbing and fishing for rockfish, set your crab traps baited with rockfish carcasses first. Then, at the end of the day when you are returning with limits of rockfish, you can pull your crab traps and discard the used rockfish carcasses before returning to port. Otherwise it may look as though you went out and caught a limit of rockfish to use as crab bait and then continued to catch another limit of rockfish to take home. People have been caught and cited for doing this.
Also, make sure that any fish carcasses you use are from legal fish.
Many crab fishermen get cited because the carcasses they are using are from undersized salmon, lingcod, cabezon, greenling or other fish with size limits, or from cowcod, canary, yellow-eye or bronze-spotted rockfish or other restricted species. They may tell their friends they got cited by the warden for using a fish carcass as crab bait, but the real story is that they got cited for the illegal take and possession of restricted fish.
Can I collect a deer head with attached antlers from a carcass?
Question: While fishing for steelhead on Carmel River, I came across a 4-point buck that had been dead for at least three months. Given that it was in deep brush, I am guessing a mountain lion had gotten him. Is it legal to take the head with perfect rack and give it to someone as a gift? Not to be sold or re-sold, but as a gift. (Blake, Monterey)
Answer: No, this would not be legal. If the antlers were sheds (naturally detached from the skull), then there would be no problem.
However, for any other deer parts, even if this deer was found dead due to predators or natural causes, it is not legal to possess any portions of that animal. Deer may only be possessed if taken by a licensed hunter with a rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, muzzleloader or with archery equipment. Otherwise, especially with a deer carcass picked up out of season, It would be impossible for a game warden to know whether this was a deer that had been found dead of natural causes or had been illegally poached.
Can I buy or sell a stuffed rattlesnake or rattlesnake skins?
Question: Is it legal to buy or sell a stuffed rattlesnake or rattlesnake skins in California? (Jody S.)
Answer: No, buying or selling a stuffed rattlesnake or native reptiles of any kind is prohibited. In general, it is also unlawful to capture, collect, intentionally kill or injure, possess, purchase, propagate, sell, transport, import or export any native reptile or amphibian, or part thereof (CCR, Title 14, section 40). In addition, native reptiles may not be sold, possessed, transported, imported, exported or propagated for commercial purposes unless listed under CCR, Section 43(c). Native rattlesnakes are not included among these species and therefore may not be commercialized. The only exception for selling or buying rattlesnakes is if the rattlesnake is albino or albino captive bred (CCR, Title 14, section 43[a][7]) or if collected by a biological supply house authorized to supply research and educational facilities.
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Other Trinity Reports News
Trinity River, September 5: Salmon move up fast
From Willow Creek, CA. By E. B. Duggan, “D” Fishing Guide
Phone: 530-629-3554 E-mail: yen2fish@yahoo.com
Weirs: Junction Cityweir: 135 Chinook; 0 Coho; 8 Steelhead; 39 German Brown under 16in, 87 German Brown Trout over 16in for a total 126 GBT. Willow Creek weir: 133 Chinook; 0 Coho; 83 Steelhead; 0 German Brown Trout Lower Klamath Creel Counts: Fall Chinook, below 101 Bridge – 138; above 101 Bridge – 319; Total 780 vs. ’09 – 1,045. Steelhead below 101 Bridge – Harvested – 4, Released – 22, Total 125; above 101 Bridge – Harvest – 9, Total 40; Released – 160, Total - 837 vs. ’09 – 895.
Full StoryTrinity River, August 29: Quality salmon show Weitchpec to Junction City
From Willow Creek, CA. By E. B. Duggan, “D” Fishing Guide, Phone: 530-629-3554 E-mail: yen2fish@yahoo.com
As this week began and after I had filed my report, below, I heard some encouraging news from Weitchpec. “Green light!” said one source...
Other Fishing Reports News
Tips and Techniques: New Line Issues
We recently had a reader contact us regarding a problem he had with some reels after having new line put on the reels at a shop using a spooling machine. When used the line looped, tangled, spun out and jammed, frustrating what he hoped was a good day of family fishing.
Most all of us, if we fish on a regular or semi-regular basis have experienced this. If you have not, here are a couple precautions and hopefully quick fix remedies to use out in the field....
Full StoryFirst Annual Camanche Derby Day is 10/30
Lake Camanche anglers will have a shot at some some big money on October 30 when Camanche Recreation holds its first annual Derby Day. One tagged trout will be worth $10,000 to one lucky angler. Nine other tagged trout will be swimming the Lake. Entry is $30.00 and includes eligibility for cash prizes, a tri-tip BBQ lunch, and five raffle tickets. You can buy your tickets at the gates, marinas, and stores...
Full StoryLake Davis/Antelope Lake Captain's Log 9/4-6: Hitting the sweet spot!
By West Guin, Guin Fish’n Tackle Co.
Shannon and I hit Davis at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning. The lake is still weedy but water temps are slowly cooling to 65 degrees.
I trolled straight from the Honker boat ramp towards the Island where we met up with Clayton Sterling and Justin Williams. They explained how they had already hit two fish: One on Silver Streak top lining and the other on Crawdaddy at 15'...
Full StoryCollins Lake, Sept. 2 – Variety for anglers of all ages
By: Kathy Hess, Fishing Reporter
Lots of families meet here at Collins Lake and share fun times while fishing and teaching the little ones to fish as well. Whether the kids caught the fish or not, they always love to have their picture taken with the fish! Little Idaline was a tad bit taller than the catfish pictured with her that Peter caught. The big catfish weighed in at 12-1/2 lbs. and was caught on a live minnow on a bobber down by the dam...
Full StoryPlease consider Catch & Release (C&R) fishing
By Mike Mogler
Conservation of our resources such as water, timber, energy and others should be considered when fishing. I have observed, and I must say more than once, people fishing and not considering catch and release, or keeping what they hook...
Full Story"Salmon nearing Upper Klamath" – SC Guide Service
Scott Caldwell of SC Guide Service in Montague is expecting salmon to arrive at the top of the Klamath at any time.Scott Caldwell of SC Guide Service is expecting salmon to arrive at the top of the Klamath at any time...
Full StoryCampground heists & big brookies highlight Hat Creek
By Mike Mogler
Labor Day weekend proved great fishing for brook trout to six pounds. Kathy, at Rim Rock Ranch reports the campgrounds are nearly full and so were the stringers of brook trout from 3 to 6 pounds as of Sunday, September 5. All of the fish reported were brookies with few, if any rainbows caught. Night crawlers as well as Panther Martins were the key. The California Department of Fish and Game planted brood stock in Hat Creek for this Labor Day Weekend...
Full StoryUpper Sacramento River full of options
By Gary Heffley
The Upper Sacramento River offers a little bit of everything for anglers this time of year according to Bob Grace at the Ted Fay Fly Shop in Dunsmuir. Fly anglers can look for native fish above the Scarlett Way Bridge in Dunsmuir, try to entice a trout traveling upstream from the depths of Shasta Lake in the lower reaches or enjoy a day fishing for planters including some large brood stock trout from between the Scarlett Way Bridge and the Sweetbriar Bridge downstream. In the latter stretch of river fly anglers will be joined by families fishing under general regulations with a 5 fish limit and bait and lures allowed. This stretch has been stocked for the last 3-4 weeks so good numbers should be available...
Whiskeytown Kokanee and Shasta Trout
By Gary Heffley
Mike Elster of Mike’s Fishing Guide Service has been putting clients onto some excellent limits of Kokanee at Whiskeytown Lake and for trout on Lake Shasta on recent outings...
Lake Oroville Coho bite returns
By Gary Heffley
Craig Bentley of Huntington’s Sportsman’s Store in Oroville is reporting that while the bass bite has been slow with anglers scratching slot sized bass on drop shots, the Coho bite has returned. Many anglers are scoring the Coho trolling hoochies at depths ranging from 35 to 60 feet deep. Stack the lures on the downriggers to cover the various depths, working in coordination with electronics for the best success...
Full StoryFeather River Steelhead in Low Flow Section
By Gary Heffley
There are quite a few steelhead in the Low Flow section of the Feather River, which is fantastic news. But, the abundance of salmon, also great news, in the same waters is making angling for the steelhead problematic...
Full StoryShasta Lake Bass: Slow
By Gary Heffley
Speaking with Tony at Phil’s Propellers in Shasta Lake City, he is reporting that bass fishing on Lake Shasta is in a word, slow. While last Saturday’s rain at the lake produced a good day for many the overall picture the rest of the last week and the last few days has shown little results. Some very knowledgeable local anglers have been skunked or just barely scratching a few fish. Drop shotting or using tube baits in shad colors are the best bet with a spook topwater bite early mornings before the sun hits the water.
Full StoryTrinity River and Lake Report
By Gary Heffley
Bill Velasquez of Trinity Outdoors in Weaverville is reserved on his report of Salmon and Steelhead fishing on the Trinity River. There are few steelhead being caught at this time. While it is still early in the season for steelhead to be in the river, the fact that most anglers are targeting salmon may also influence catch rates.
Full StoryDavis Lake Report
Marty and Jeannie at the J & J Grizzly Store and Camping Resort at Davis Lake are reporting that the trout are holding at 15 to 18 feet deep. Trollers are finding cooperative fish using a small Dick Nite Copper Red Head Spoon, a standard for anyone who fishes Davis Lake. Other color combos that are producing is a yellow/watermelon spoon and Red Dot Frog Needlefish...
Full StoryFishing the North Coast, Sept. 2: Lots of angling options for holiday weekend
By Kenny Priest
Ocean sport salmon season closes Monday
As we officially head into fall, the Labor Day weekend offers for some, the last chance to get on the water and explore a few of our local angling options. And it looks like we’ll have some decent weather. The coastal forecast is calling for early morning fog with mostly sunny skies in the afternoon. Further inland, you can expect temperatures in the high 60s after some early morning fog. It’s definitely time to get out and enjoy all that the North Coast has to offer.
Here is a partial list of options to consider...
Full StoryInter-mountain choices, crappies, bass or trout
By Gary Heffley
The waters around Burney continue to produce nice catch rates for anglers trying their luck at Baum Lake, Cassel Forebay and Lake Britton according to Steve and Janet Vaughn of Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney...
Full StoryUpper Hat Creek, Big brood stock in the mix
By Gary Heffley
Reports out of Burney and from anglers fishing Upper Hat Creek are reporting good numbers of trout hitting night crawlers, salmon eggs and PowerBait products especially Power Eggs which tend to last on the hook longer in the heavy current flows than the paste baits...
List of waters being planted by DFG
Here is a list of Northern California Waters being planted by the Department of Fish and Game. Always check the DFG regulations before fishing new waters...
Full StoryWaters released for trout stocking by DFG
In response to many inquires, here is a list of the current waters that the California Department of Fish and Game has completed the EIR/EIs reports and are now available to be stocked with catchable trout. This list is updated by the California Department of Fish and Game weekly usually on Fridays and can be viewed through www.ca.dfg.gov.
DFG Catchable Trout (1/2 lb fish) release waters as of 8/26
DFG recently responded to a legal action challenging its hatchery and stocking operations, and completed an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) that considers species and habitats affected by hatchery-raised rainbow trout. One of the conditions of the EIR/EIS is that every water planted throughout California must go through a Pre-Stocking Evaluation Protocol. This evaluation requires DFG to consider each sensitive or listed species in every water relative to the stocking of trout. The waters listed below have been approved for stocking.
(Viewers are also invited to visit the “Fingerling Trout Release Waters” and the DFG “Fishing Guide”' web pages)...
Full StoryChesbro votes “Aye” on measures detrimental to fishermen
By Frank Galusha
Karen Brooks, candidate for the 1st District Assembly seat now held by Wesley Chesbro is notifying all voters that their representative for the North Coast is voting for measures that could further restrict our fishing rights and hurt the economies of our already hard-hit coastal communities from Ft. Bragg to Crescent City...
Full StoryLong range dreams
By Gary Heffley
Sweat pouring from under your broad brimmed hat, biceps screaming for oxygen and relief, hands cramping in pain, shouts and commotion all around you. Then it’s over, first the sight of color, a few more cranks of the reel, deckhands lifting the gaffed fish onto the deck and before you a gorgeous 200 pound Yellowfin Tuna. You are barely able to smile as you try to regroup; you’re at the fine line between ecstasy and agony. And you can’t wait to do it again. This is the appeal of Long Range Fishing.
Full StoryAntelope & Almanor: Proof is in the photos
A guide that knows his reports may sound exaggerated has one sure fire out: He can send pictures with captions. That's hard for Roger Keeling of Keeling's Guide Service in Canyon Dam. Keeling doesn't have a computer and he doesn't own a digital camera but now and then he picks up a one-time use camera at the drug store and fills its memory with snapshots...
Full StoryCOVER STORY: Trolling Flies, Jay Fair’s keys to success
By Gary Heffley
Jay Fair gained his fame and reputation as a fly tier, guide and innovator on the use of trolling flies to catch trophy trout on Eagle Lake and other Northern California and Southern Oregon Lakes. Jay shared some of his secrets, formulas and techniques with me recently when we sat and talked about his Hall of Fame career. Jay and his son Glen also graciously sent me home with a DVD titled “Jay Fair’s SURE FIRE Trolling Flies For Big Fish The No-Nonsense Approach to Fishing” as well as some trolling flies to try out. The DVD outlines Jays flies, techniques, unique terminal set up and thought processes that have proven so effective that numerous publications have proclaimed Jay as the “Sage of Eagle Lake” or call him simply, “Mr. Eagle Lake.” To watch Jay put his techniques to work on the video just reinforced the tips I had received in person...
Full StoryFree Fly Fishing Fair open to the public October 2
By Gary Heffley
Have you ever been interested in learning how to fly fish? Ever wondered how to get started? The Shasta Trinity Fly Fishers will be holding a Fly Fishing Fair at Caldwell Park in Redding on October 2, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. There will also be a swap and sell of fly fishing gear and equipment. The event is open to the public and admittance is free...
Full StoryGary Miralles and Shasta Tackle Company: A Northern California Success Story
By Gary Heffley
“Are you catching all the fish you should be catching?” That is a question that Gary Miralles, founder and owner of Shasta Tackle Company, often asks fishermen and guides. Proof as they say is “ in the pudding” or on the stringer as the case may be and Gary and his ever expanding lines of Trout, Kokanee, Salmon and now salt water tackle never fails to produce both fish in quantity and quality.
Gary’s lures have held or hold a line class world record and multiple lake records from many waters west of the Rockies. As a guide Gary would offer a guarantee of catching fish or the client would not pay and even with the toughest of fishing days Gary has yet to have to make good on the guarantee. Having personally used many of the lures made by Shasta Tackle I can speak well of their effectiveness.
Full StoryPot Luck Fishing- Lake Style
By Gary Heffley
When most fishermen think of pot luck fishing, they think of live bait fishing on party boats in bay and ocean waters where the skippers target multiple species, rockfish, salmon, halibut and stripers all on the same outing. These boats make stops at likely locations depending upon tides, winds and seasonal migrating patterns of the fish. It is a lot of fun because you literally never know what you may hook into.
That same type of fishing is available on many lakes in the North State such as Berryessa, Shasta, Trinity and Oroville. I am sure Lake Almanor would also fit this description, but I have yet to fish it. These lakes hold multiple species of both cold water (trout and salmon) and warm water (bass and crappie) varieties of fish...
Full StoryFishing: Getting started
By Gary Heffley
Many people young and old did not have the opportunities that I had early in life to enjoy the outdoors, to learn how to fish; how to cast, how to bait a hook, what type of gear to use and where. Some of these people grew up in an urban environment where options were limited or their families just didn’t enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Many native Californians have never seen Yosemite, Mt. Lassen or have even heard of Burney Falls. Vacations are spent at Disneyland or Sea World. The only fishing some children now know is from their couch on a video game.
Many people and families are interested in taking advantages of the recreational opportunities and family building experiences that the outdoors and fishing in particular provides. The biggest question is how to get started?
The best option is to have a family friend who enjoys fishing take you out and show you the basics, most fisherman are willing to help introduce someone new to the sport. Another option is to hire a guide, selecting an area where you are likely to fish. This will give you equipment and gear introductions without jumping in with both feet and have expenses that you may not initially need. Most guides are excellent teachers and are happy to give novice anglers patient instruction but at a cost.
For those who just want to give it a try on the next family vacation with little fanfare here are some basic starters; from rods and reels and equipment to handling your catch.
Full Story