Section 5.78 - White Sturgeon Catch and Release Sport Fishing for Inland WatersNotwithstanding Sections 5.79 and 5.80 of these regulations, White Sturgeon may not be taken in inland waters statewide except as authorized below.
(a) Open season: (1) From October 1 through June 30: from the west Carquinez Bridge east to downstream of the confluence of the Feather River on the Sacramento River and downstream of the I-5 bridge on the San Joaquin River.(2) From October 1 through December 31: upstream of the confluence of the Feather River to the Highway 162 Bridge on the Sacramento River and upstream of the I-5 bridge on the San Joaquin River.(b) Daily limit: zero fish(c) Annual bag limit: zero fish per calendar year statewide.(d) Methods of take: Only one single point, single shank, barbless hook shall be used on a line when taking sturgeon. The sturgeon must voluntarily take the bait or lure inside its mouth. No sturgeon may be taken by trolling, snagging or by the use of firearms. Sturgeon may not be gaffed, nor shall any person use any type of firearm or snare to take any sturgeon. For the purposes of this section, a snare is a flexible loop made from any material that can be tightened like a noose around any part of the fish.
(e) Handling and removal from water: Any sturgeon greater than 60 inches fork length may not be removed from the water and shall be released immediately. Sturgeon of any size shall not be held out of water suspended by the gills, gill plates, mouth, or tail, and shall not be dragged across the ground, boat decks, or piers.(f) Sturgeon Fishing Report Card Required. All anglers must have a valid Sturgeon Fishing Report Card in their possession while fishing for White Sturgeon. Cardholders must complete and return the card pursuant to regulations in this Section and in Section 1.74, Title 14, CCR.(g) Reporting Requirements for Released Fish. (1) Whenever the cardholder catches and releases a sturgeon, the cardholder shall immediately record the month, day, location code, length, and species of sturgeon.(2) If all lines in the "sturgeon released" field of the report card are filled, any additional sturgeon caught and released may be recorded on the back of the card.(3) If the sturgeon has a department reward disk attached, write the reward disk number in the space provided on the report card.(h) The annual fee for the Sturgeon Fishing Report Card is specified in Section 701(c).(i) Special North Coast District Sturgeon Closure (Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity and Siskiyou cos.). It is unlawful to take any sturgeon in the North Coast District at any time.(j) Special Sierra and Valley District Sturgeon Closure from January 1 to December 31 (Shasta, Tehama, Butte and Glenn cos.). (1) Sacramento River from Keswick Dam to the Highway 162 Bridge. (A) It is unlawful to take any sturgeon.(B) It is unlawful to use wire leaders.(C) It is unlawful to use lamprey or any type of shrimp as bait.(k) Special Yolo Bypass Flood Control System Sturgeon Closure. It is unlawful to take any sturgeon in the Yolo Bypass, Toe Drain Canal, and Tule Canal upstream of Lisbon Weir at any time.(l) For regulations on take and possession of sturgeon in ocean waters as defined in Section 27.00, see Sections 27.93 and 27.95.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 5.78
Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 205, 265, 275, 399 and 2084, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 110, 200, 205, 265 and 2084, Fish and Game Code.
1. New section filed 9-6-2024 as an emergency; operative 9/6/2024 (Register 2024, No. 36). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 3-5-2025 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.