Del Norte Fishing Group Offers Helpful Hints on How to Abide by New Fishing Rules this Season

The Fishing season is fraught with all kinds of restrictions this year, both on the ocean and up the Klamath. The Crescent City Fishing Group offers sage advice on navigating the new rules and restrictions coming from the California Dept of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

• Quillback are prohibited to keep. If you catch one, use your mandatory descending device to release the Quillback to the depth you caught the restricted fish.

• Yelloweye are prohibited to keep. Same advice, if you catch a yelloweye, use the descending device to return the species back to the depth in which you caught it.

• Please DO NOT keep Canary’s Coppers and China’s. All three of these species are presently on the federal and state watch list.

• The sign was placed at the Harbor boat to help notify fisherman of the current situation with restrictions enforced by the CDFW.

• PFMC, NOAA and CDFW with their many subcommittees have started a Quillback Rebuilding Plan. These Advisory groups have adjusted the shoreline to 20 fathom line and 50 fathom line seaward, permitting anglers to continue to fish. The Rebuilding Plan is working: the 20 fathom or shallower threshold has reduced the Quillback mortality rate from 23 percent down to nine percent.

• The Fishing Group continues to request hook and line data and how the absence of fishing will impact the local economy.

• Proper descending devices are required on all boats, including kayaks.

• Salmon season is closed again this year. Oregon opens for salmon, May 16. You’re allowed to keep two halibut a day in Oregon. You must possess an Oregon Fishing license.

• If you have questions contact crescentcityfishinggroup@gmail.com or Englund Marine located off Citizens Dock Rd. It’s up to you to know the regulations.

Now, enjoy and go fishing!