California Outdoors Q&A

Question: I know people without fishing licenses are allowed to fish from public piers with a limit of no more than two rods. But what if I have a valid fishing license and ocean enhancement stamp and still fish on public piers? Since DFG regs allow licensed anglers to fish in ocean waters with an unlimited number of rods, am...
Full Story 

Answer: Octopus may be collected for a home aquarium and transported live under the authority of a sport fishing license as long as they are exclusively for that person's personal aquarium display. Maintaining live sport-taken octopus in a home aquarium is not considered "public display" and thus does not fall under the provisions of the marine aquaria pet trade (Fish...
Full Story 

Question: If I go diving with a friend in Sea Ranch (Sonoma County) and my wife stays home in San Francisco, can I dive one day and gift those abalone to my wife even though she is not with me at the moment? Then the following day, can I dive again, take an additional limit for myself, and then drive home alone with...
Full Story 

Question: Are there any rules on the numbers of fishing rods someone can use for ocean fishing? I had a bad experience recently with an Orange County sheriff who saw me on the Newport Beach jetty fishing with several poles. He told me I was allowed only two poles. I told him I'd seen a sign posted at a nearby pier that said, "Maximum...
Full Story 

Answer: Unfortunately, even if your fish is undersized and going to die anyway, you must still return that fish immediately. It won't be wasted as it will go into the food chain as nourishment for other fish, invertebrates, and maybe marine mammals and birds. The bottom line is you cannot keep any fish that does not meet the minimum size...
Full Story 

Answer: It is legal for you to photograph abalone freedivers while you are using a tank, as long as you observe a couple of regulations. According to DFG Associate Marine Biologist Ed Roberts, the California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.15(e) prohibits the use of scuba gear or surface-supplied air while taking abalone. If you are using a tank...
Full Story