California Outdoors Q&A

Question: What’s happening with abalone for this year? Does the season close at the end of October or November? And what is the season limit? (Dahn N., Benicia) Answer: Abalone populations in California have been in decline over the last few years due to unprecedented environmental and biological stressors, including warming ocean conditions and a dramatic reduction in kelp in many areas. Abalone...
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Question: I’m going lobster diving with some friends on opening day this Saturday. I heard there was a change to the time we can get into the water? What is going on? (Daniel, San Diego) Answer: The California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.90, states that the open season for spiny lobsters runs “… from 6 a.m. on the Saturday preceding the...
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Question: I spoke to a lieutenant in 2015 at Sacramento Police Department’s “Links to Law Enforcement” job fair. I kept his business card with the informational pamphlet since I am still very interested in a career with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). I am reaching out to you now because I will be graduating from a California State...
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(This column originally ran on Sept. 17, 2015.) Question: Is there anything I can do to deter or discourage sea lions from eating all my crabbing bait? I know that seals and sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act but I’ve heard there are exceptions for recreational fishermen to deter them to prevent damage to private property, including gear...
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Question: I have some questions about how to best fish the lobster opener. I know that lobster season has a new start time and opens at 6:00 a.m. on Sept. 30, 2017. If the hoop wet time is a maximum two hours, can I drop my hoops at 4:15 a.m. Sept. 30, 2017 and pull them after the start time of...
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