Fisheries Policies

It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission that:

• I. Anadromous rainbow trout, commonly called steelhead, shall be managed to protect and maintain the populations and genetic integrity of all identifiable stocks. Naturally spawned anadromous rainbow trout shall provide the foundation of the Department’s management program.
• II. Anadromous rainbow trout populations shall be periodically inventoried by the Department, or its agents, as necessary for management and protection of the anadromous rainbow trout stocks and their habitat, as outlined in this policy.
• III. Anadromous rainbow trout streams shall be inventoried for quantity and quality of habitat, including stream flow conditions. Restoration and acquisition plans shall be developed and implemented to safeguard such critical habitats as estuaries, coastal lagoons, and spawning and rearing areas, and to protect or guarantee future instream flows. Steelhead Fishing Report - Restoration Card Program and other funding may be directed to implement the plans.
• IV. Existing anadromous rainbow trout habitat shall not be diminished further without offsetting mitigation of equal or greater long-term habitat benefits. All available steps shall be taken to prevent loss of habitat, and the Department shall oppose any development or project that will result in irreplaceable losses. Artificial production shall not be considered appropriate mitigation for loss of wild fish or their habitat.
• V. The Department shall strive to improve habitat conditions, alleviate threats, and renegotiate mitigation requirements at appropriate opportunities to eliminate the need for fish rescue operations. Anadromous rainbow trout rescue will not be considered as mitigation for proposed water development. Only under the following circumstances shall anadromous rainbow trout be rescued:
  • A. When they will be returned to the stream system of origin; and
  • B. When fish can be held until habitat conditions in the place where they were collected improve, or when fish can be immediately released in nearby areas of the same stream and the Department has determined that no adverse impacts would occur to existing salmonid populations; and
  • C. When, in the opinion of the Department, habitat conditions are temporarily inadequate or when conducted pursuant to a permitted in-stream construction or restoration activity.
• VI. Sport fishing for anadromous rainbow trout shall be encouraged where the Department has determined that angling will not harm existing wild populations. Angling of juveniles shall only be permitted where such angling does not impair adequate returns of adults for sport fishing and spawning. Special angling regulations for naturally spawned anadromous rainbow trout may be necessary when a fishery includes both naturally spawned and hatchery stocks. These regulations shall be consistent with restoration and recovery goals.
• VII. Domesticated or non-native fish species will not be planted, or fisheries based on them will not be developed or maintained, in drainages of anadromous rainbow trout waters, where, in the opinion of the Department, they may adversely affect native anadromous rainbow trout populations by competing with, preying upon, or hybridizing with them. Exceptions to this policy may be made for stocking drainages that are not part of an anadromous rainbow trout restoration or recovery program.
• VIII. The Department will continue marking all hatchery anadromous rainbow trout and selective harvest of marked fish will be allowed only where the Department has determined that the harvest will not impair the viability of the population.
• IX. The Department will continue to investigate stocking of sterile rainbow trout in waters within anadromous rainbow trout drainages, where the Department has determined that stocking reproductively viable rainbow trout may have an adverse effect on the genetic integrity of the anadromous rainbow trout populations. Stocking of sterile rainbow trout in anadromous rainbow trout drainages will not be conducted if the Department determines there may be an adverse affect to existing wild anadromous rainbow trout populations.
• X. In streams without Department hatcheries, artificial rearing shall be limited to areas where the Department determines it would be beneficial to supplement natural production to re-establish or enhance the depleted wild population. New programs that propose to propagate state- or federally- listed anadromous rainbow trout shall conform to the Department’s guidelines for establishment and operation of recovery hatcheries found in the Recovery Strategy for California Coho Salmon, Appendix H.
• XI. The best available scientific information will be used by the Department to assess the anadromous rainbow trout resource and to develop management strategies and recommendations.

(Amended: 06/18/93; 05/09/08)

• I. Introduction
  The Commission recognizes that:
  • Coastal fishing communities have social, cultural, and economic value, and are interdependent with healthy marine species and ecosystems.
  • Coastal fishing communities are dynamic systems composed of many parts, each influencing the others.
  • Coastal fishing communities are facing unprecedented and dynamic challenges that strain and disrupt their social and economic fabric, including climate change-driven disruptions such as shifting stocks, marine heat waves, harmful algal blooms and whale entanglement risk, as well as inadequate port infrastructure, “greying” of the fleet, emerging industries, competition for shoreside uses and ocean space, and more.
  • The challenges coastal fishing communities face pose a significant threat to their sustained existence. Actions that impact one aspect of a community may be felt community-wide. There is a need to better understand the interdependent relationships and linkages within communities, and to proactively identify actions, programs, and/or responses that will help make California’s coastal fishing communities more resilient to challenges; this policy represents the Commission’s larger commitment to helping address those challenges.
• II. Definition
  For purposes of this policy, a coastal fishing community is defined as a social, cultural, economic, and/or place-based group whose members:
  • are dependent upon, engaged in, or benefit from local, wild-capture, commercial, recreational, or subsistence marine fishery harvest or processing to meet the social or economic needs of the community;
  • include, but are not limited to, businesses and organizations that depend upon or support marine fisheries by providing goods and services, including infrastructure to that community or those communities; and
  • may be a subset or member of larger or associated coastal communities.
• III. Policy Setting
  The Commission recognizes that there are several federal, state, and Commission laws and policies relevant to coastal fishing communities’ interests and needs. This Coastal Fishing Communities policy more clearly establishes that incorporating coastal fishing community-level interests, challenges, and impacts, in addition to fisheries-specific considerations, into management is essential. This policy builds upon the foundations laid out in current laws and policies, including:
  • The federal Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, National Standard 8, which considers the significance of fishery resources and sustained fishery participation to fishing communities, aims to minimize adverse economic impacts on these communities, and may be complementary to State policies and objectives (16 U.S. Code, Chapter 38, Sections 1801 et seq).
  • The California Coastal Act, which recognizes and calls for protecting the economic, commercial, and recreational importance of fishing activities and facilities (Public Resources Code sections 30234, 32034.5 and 30703).
  • The California Marine Life Management Act (MLMA), which establishes specific objectives for recognizing coastal fishing community interests and impacts when pursuing the primary fishery management system goal of sustainability for marine fisheries under the state’s jurisdiction (California Fish and Game Code Section 7056).
  • The MLMA master plan for fisheries, adopted by the Commission in 2018, which guides implementation of the MLMA, including meeting specific socioeconomic objectives for fishery participants and fishing communities.
  • The Commission’s Policy on Restricted Access Commercial Fisheries, which was adopted by the Commission in 1999 as a framework to limit access or entry to a fishery to promote sustainable fisheries, provide for orderly fisheries, promote conservation among fishery participants, and maintain the long-term economic viability of fisheries.
  • The Commission’s Policy on Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, which was adopted by the Commission in 2022 to recognize environmental justice as essential to addressing historic and current inequities, and to create equitable access to environmental benefits.
  To pursue the goals of these laws and policies in an increasingly dynamic ocean landscape, the Commission and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife must more directly account for fisheries as changing social-ecological systems with interdependencies between local communities and fisheries (as well as within and among fisheries).
• IV. Policy Statement
  It is the policy and practice of the California Fish and Game Commission to support, in its decision-making and actions, the long-term needs, social well-being, and economic health of coastal fishing communities in a manner that aligns with the primary conservation and management goals of the Commission’s and Department’s missions and mandates, and other applicable laws. The Commission will pursue this policy holistically and proactively through policy strategies that (A) support meaningful coastal fishing community engagement, (B) ensure coastal fishing community interests are factored into Commission decision-making, and (C) contribute to the adaptive capacity and resilience of coastal fishing communities. The Commission relies upon the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other entities for continued partnership to implement this policy.
• V. Policy Strategies
  • A. Understand the issues facing coastal fishing communities and identify solutions through meaningful engagement.
    It is the intent of the Commission to contribute to empowering coastal fishing communities by pursuing proactive community engagement. Community engagement should be inclusive and reflective of community diversity, knowledge, and priorities to better understand interests, challenges, and potential impacts for various fishing communities. The Commission will:
    • explore opportunities for outreach and promote direct and consistent engagement with coastal fishing communities;
    • support collaboration with coastal fishing communities through collective problem-solving and utilizing local knowledge;
    • encourage partners to help support coastal fishing communities in organizing and participating effectively at local and regional levels; and
    • pursue mechanisms for regular, ongoing engagement and follow-up/follow- through.
  • B. Ensure coastal fishing community interests and needs are factored into Commission decision-making.
    The Commission is committed to supporting options that manage fisheries sustainably and allow communities to adapt and withstand the challenges they face. The Commission will:
    • advance approaches developed through coastal fishing community engagement into decision-making and regulatory processes where appropriate and in alignment with state fishery management conservation goals;
    • support management options, plans, and strategies, including collaborative management, that recognize and sustain social and economic stability of and minimize adverse impacts on coastal fishing communities;
    • consider implications for coastal fishing communities when updating or creating policies and regulations; and
    • continue to develop and innovate systems to anticipate and respond quickly to emerging needs or disruptive changes.
  • C. Increase adaptive capacity and resilience of coastal fishing communities via external efforts.
    The Commission will seek to engage partners and leverage external efforts to bolster sustainability and adaptation, improve governance coordination, support collaboration, and identify pathways to strengthen infrastructure to support coastal fishing communities. The Commission will:
    • help coordinate the efforts among agencies and partners aimed at supporting coastal fishing communities;
    • support local organizational and operational capacities of coastal fishing communities;
    • elevate the visibility of coastal fishing community interests in the face of emerging issues or threats;
    • support efforts to foster a new generation of fishermen;
    • help build and leverage partnerships, including fishery participants, to identify and collect essential fishery information; and
    • support efforts that can inform decision-making and be a resource to stakeholders.

Adopted February 14, 2024

(Repealed 2/2/2006)

It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission that:

Proper management of the State's wild reptile resources for commercial use is a challenge due to the relative lack of information about the biology of many California reptiles. Even those species generally thought to be common are often inadequately studied and understood with regard to population abundance, distribution, effects of habitat loss, and basic life history parameters. Given the paucity of data available about the status of some species of reptiles in general, and the impacts of commercial use specifically, requests to add species to Section 43, Title 14, CCR, will be carefully evaluated on an individual basis.

A person who wishes to add or remove a species to the list of reptiles that may be captively bred and sold, must provide information adequate to meet the requirements of Title 14, Article 2.5 (Certified Regulatory Program for Adoption of Regulations), Section 777.8 (b) through (d). The following types of information must accompany the request to the Commission:

• 1) A review of scientific literature documenting the status of the species in California. Status of a species includes range and distribution, demographic data, taxonomy, life history, and existing or potential threats to the species persistence.
• 2) Analysis of the effects of broodstock collection methods on wild populations.
• 3) Analysis of the effects on wild reptile populations of released or escaped reptiles bred under this program.
• 4) Evaluation of the commercial market for the proposed species.

The information will be reviewed by Department of Fish and Game staff and peer-reviewed by independent professional herpetologists. After peer review, the Department will forward all information to the Commission.

Amended: 09/30/05

It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission to designate certain state waters to be managed exclusively for wild trout. Commission-designated wild trout waters should provide a quality angling experience by providing the angler with an opportunity to fish in aesthetically pleasing and environmentally productive waters with trout populations whose numbers or sizes are largely unaffected by the angling process.

I. Waters designated by the Commission for wild trout management shall meet two criteria: 

A. Angler Access: 

1. Open for public angling with unrestricted access, when of sufficient dimensions to accommodate anglers without overcrowding; or

2. Open for public angling with controlled access under a plan approved by the Commission setting forth the number of anglers and the method of distribution. 

In the event of an interruption to angler access and/or a fishing closure to a designated wild trout water or heritage trout water that is expected to be temporary and is due to restoration activities or public safety considerations, the waters may remain designated while inaccessible for public angling. Coincident with annual wild trout and heritage trout waters designations, the Department shall provide an update to the Commission on any designated waters that are temporarily inaccessible for public angling, with an estimate of when angler access may be restored based on available information. The Department may also make a recommendation to undesignate any waters that are temporarily inaccessible for public angling.

B. Able to support, with appropriate angling regulations, wild trout populations of sufficient magnitude to provide satisfactory trout catches in terms of number or size of fish. 

II.Wild trout waters shall be managed in accordance with the following stipulations:

A. Domestic strains of catchable-sized trout shall not be planted in designated wild trout waters. 

B. Hatchery-produced trout of suitable wild and semi-wild strains may be planted in designated waters, but only if necessary to supplement natural trout reproduction. 

C. Habitat protection is of utmost importance for maintenance of wild trout populations. All necessary actions, consistent with State law, shall be taken to prevent adverse impact by land or water development projects affecting designated wild trout waters. 

III. The Department shall prepare and periodically update a management plan for each water designated as a wild trout water. 

IV. Certain designated wild trout waters may be further designated by the Commission as "Heritage Trout Waters", to recognize the beauty, diversity, historical significance, and special values of California's native trout. Heritage trout waters shall meet the following additional criteria: 

A. Only waters supporting populations that best exemplify indigenous strains of native trout within their historic drainages may qualify for designation.

B. Heritage Trout Waters shall be able to provide anglers with the opportunity to catch native trout consistent with the conservation of the native trout present.

V. Recognizing the importance of native trout to California's natural heritage, the Department shall emphasize education and outreach efforts to inform the public about our native trout, their habitats, and the activities for restoring native trout when implementing the Department Heritage Trout Program.

A. Implement a Heritage Trout Angler Recognition Certificate through which anglers will have the opportunity to have their catches of California native trout recognized by the Commission. The criteria for receiving the formal recognition shall be maintained by the Department Heritage and Wild Trout Program. To receive a certificate of recognition, anglers shall submit an application with supporting materials to the Department for review.

The following waters are designated by the Commission as "wild trout waters": 

• 1.     American River, North Fork, from Palisade Creek downstream to Iowa Hill Bridge (Placer County). 
• 2.     Carson River, East Fork, upstream from confluence with Wolf Creek excluding tributaries (Alpine County).
• 3.     Clavey River, upstream from confluence with Tuolumne River excluding tributaries (Tuolumne County). 
• 4.     Hat Creek, from Lake Britton upstream to Hat No. 2 powerhouse (Shasta County). 
• 5.     Hot Creek, from Hot Springs upstream to west property line of Hot Creek Ranch (Mono County). 
• 6.     Kings River, from Pine Flat Lake upstream to confluence with South and Middle forks excluding tributaries (Fresno County). 
• 7.     Kings River, South Fork, from confluence with Middle Fork upstream to western boundary of Kings Canyon National Park excluding tributaries (Fresno County). 
• 8.     Merced River, South Fork, from confluence with mainstem Merced River upstream to western boundary of Yosemite National Park excluding tributaries (Mariposa County). 
• 9.     Owens River, from Five Bridges crossing upstream to Pleasant Valley Dam excluding tributaries (Inyo County). 
• 10.     Rubicon River, from confluence with Middle Fork American River upstream to Hell Hole Dam excluding tributaries (Placer County). 
• 11.     Yellow Creek, from Big Springs downstream to confluence with the North Fork of the Feather River (Plumas County). 
• 12.     Cottonwood Creek, upstream from confluence with Little Cottonwood Creek, including tributaries (Inyo County). 
• 13.     Klamath River, from Copco Lake upstream to the California-Oregon border (Siskiyou County). 
• 14.     McCloud River, from Lake McCloud Dam downstream to the southern boundary of Section 36, T38N, R3W, M.D.B. & M. (Shasta County). 
• 15.     Deep Creek, from confluence with Green Valley Creek downstream to confluence with Willow Creek (San Bernardino County). 
• 16.     Middle Fork Stanislaus River, from Beardsley Afterbay Dam to Sand Bar Diversion Dam (Tuolumne County). 
• 17.     Truckee River, from confluence with Trout Creek downstream to the Nevada State line (excluding the property owned by the San Francisco Fly Casters Club) (Nevada and Sierra counties). 
• 18.     Sespe Creek, a 25-mile section between the Lion Campground and the boundary of the U.S. Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest (Ventura County). 
• 19.     Bear Creek, Bear Valley Dam (impounding Big Bear Lake) downstream to the confluence with the Santa Ana River (San Bernardino County). 
• 20.     Lavezzola Creek (Sierra County). 
• 21.     Laurel Lake #1 and Laurel Lake #2 (Mono County). 
• 22.     Middle Fork San Joaquin River - Northern boundary of the Devils Postpile National Monument downstream to the Lower Falls (3.6 miles); and footbridge just above the confluence with Shadow Creek downstream to the footbridge just above upper Soda Springs Campground (4 miles) (Madera County). 
• 23.     South Fork Kern River watershed from its headwaters downstream to the southern boundary of the South Sierra Wilderness (Tulare County). 
• 24.     Golden Trout Creek drainage, including tributaries, from confluence with the Kern River upstream to the headwaters (Tulare County). 
• 25.     Eagle Lake, north of Susanville (Lassen County). 
• 26.     Upper Kern River, from the Forks of the Kern, upstream to Tyndall Creek in Sequoia National Park (Tulare County). 
• 27.     Heenan Lake, near Markleeville and Monitor Pass (Alpine County). 
• 28.     Upper Truckee River, including tributaries, upstream from the confluence with Showers Creek (El Dorado and Alpine counties). 
• 29.     Sacramento River, including tributaries, from Box Canyon Dam downstream to Scarlett Way in Dunsmuir (Siskiyou County) and from the county bridge at Sweetbriar downstream to Lake Shasta (Shasta County). 
• 30.     Long Lake (Plumas County). 
• 31.     Piru Creek, including tributaries, upstream of Pyramid Lake (Ventura and Los Angeles counties).
• 32.     Upper Stony Creek including tributaries, upstream from Mine Camp Campground (Colusa, Glenn, and Lake counties).
• 33.     Lower Honeymoon Lake (Fresno County).
• 34.     Upper East Fork San Gabriel River, including tributaries, upstream from Heaton Flat (Los Angeles County).
• 35.     Royce Lake # 2 (Fresno County).
• 36.     Lower Yuba River, from Englebright Dam to the confluence with the Feather River (Yuba and Nevada counties).
• 37.     Parker Lake (Mono County).
• 38.     South Fork San Joaquin River and all tributaries from Florence Lake upstream to the boundary of Kings Canyon National Park including the Piute Creek drainage (Fresno County).
• 39.     Sallie Keyes Lakes (Fresno County).
• 40.     Sacramento River from Keswick Dam downstream to the Red Bluff Diversion Dam (Shasta and Tehama counties).
• 41.     Pauley Creek from the confluence with the Downie River upstream to the headwaters (Sierra County).
• 42.     Caples Creek from the confluence with the Silver Fork American River upstream to Caples Lake Dam (El Dorado and Alpine counties).
• 43.     Putah Creek from Lake Solano upstream to Monticello Dam on Lake Berryessa (Solano and Yolo counties).
• 44.     Lake Solano (Solano and Yolo counties).
• 45.     Milton Reservoir (Nevada and Sierra counties).
• 46.     Gerle Creek Divide Reservoir (El Dorado County).
• 47.     Manzanita Lake (Shasta County).
• 48.     Maggie Lake (Tulare County).
• 49.     Little Kern River drainage, including tributaries, from the confluence with the Kern River upstream to the headwaters (Tulare County).
• 50.     South Fork Smith River, from the confluence with Blackhawk Creek upstream to the Island Lake Trail crossing, including the following tributaries: Buck Creek, Quartz Creek, Eight Mile Creek, Williams Creek, Harrington Creek and Prescott Fork and excluding all other tributaries (Del Norte County).
• 51.     South Fork Smith River, from the confluence with Goose Creek upstream to Blackhawk Creek, including Goose Creek and Hurdygurdy Creek and excluding all other tributaries (Del Norte County).
• 52.     South Fork Smith River, from the confluence with Craigs Creek upstream to the confluence with Goose Creek, including Craigs Creek, Rock Creek, and Coon Creek and excluding all other tributaries (Del Norte County).
• 53.     Tuolumne River, from Wards Ferry Bridge upstream to the boundary of Yosemite National Park, excluding tributaries (Tuolumne County).
• 54.     Butte Lake (Lassen County).
• 55.    Wolf Creek, from Forest Service Road 062 crossing to Wolf Creek Lake (Mono County).
• 56.    Middle Fork Feather River, from the confluence of Frey Creek upstream to Poplar Valley Road bridge, including: main stem Middle Fork Feather River, Bear Creek, Fall River, Little North Fork of Middle Fork Feather River, Long Valley Creek, Nelson Creek, Onion Valley Creek, Poplar Creek, South Branch Middle Fork Feather River, and Willow Creek (Butte and Plumas counties). 
• 57.     Fall River Complex, which consists of Ahjumawi Lava Springs, Bear Creek (downstream of Pondosa Way bridge), Big Lake, Eastman Lake, Fall River (from confluence with Pit River upstream to origin at Thousand Springs), Fall River Pond, Fall River Lake, Horr Pond, Ja She Creek, Lava Creek, Spring Creek, Little Tule River, and Tule River (Shasta and Siskiyou counties). 
• 58.     North Fork Mokelumne River from Salt Springs Reservoir to the downstream-most lake of Highland Lakes, including Deer, Blue and Summit City creeks and their perennial tributaries (Alpine, Amador, and Calaveras counties).
• 59.    Silver Lake at the headwaters of Shotgun Creek (Tulare County). 
• 60.    Hilton Lakes Complex (37.481931, -118.761155) – Including Hilton Lakes 1-10 and all tributaries connecting the lakes including Hilton Creek upstream of Hilton Lake 1 (Davis Lake) (Mono and Inyo counties). The designated complex will be managed as a single unit.
• 61.     Fish Creek (37.543956, -119.129879) – Upstream from the confluence with the Middle Fork San Joaquin River including Sharktooth Creek, but excluding all other tributaries (Fresno and Madera counties).  

The following "wild trout waters" are further designated by the Commission as "heritage trout waters". 

• 1.     Clavey River, upstream from confluence with Tuolumne River, excluding tributaries (Tuolumne County). 
• 2.     Golden Trout Creek drainage, including tributaries, from confluence with the Kern River upstream to the headwaters (Tulare County). 
• 3.     Eagle Lake, north of Susanville (Lassen County). 
• 4.     Upper Kern River, from the Forks of the Kern, upstream to Tyndall Creek in Sequoia National Park (Tulare County). 
• 5.     Heenan Lake, near Markleeville and Monitor Pass (Alpine County). 
• 6.     Upper Truckee River, including tributaries, upstream from the confluence with Showers Creek (El Dorado and Alpine counties).
• 7.     Piru Creek, including tributaries, upstream of Pyramid Lake (Ventura and Los Angeles counties).
• 8.     Upper Stony Creek including tributaries, upstream from Mine Camp Campground (Colusa, Glenn, and Lake counties).
• 9.     Upper East Fork San Gabriel River, including tributaries, upstream from Heaton Flat (Los Angeles County).
• 10.     Lower Yuba River, from Englebright Dam to the confluence with the Feather River (Yuba and Nevada counties).
• 11.     Little Kern River drainage, including tributaries, from the confluence with the Kern River upstream to the headwaters (Tulare County).
• 12.     South Fork Smith River, from the confluence with Blackhawk Creek upstream to the Island Lake Trail crossing, including the following tributaries: Buck Creek, Quartz Creek, Eight Mile Creek, Williams Creek, Harrington Creek and Prescott Fork and excluding all other tributaries (Del Norte County).
• 13.     South Fork Smith River, from the confluence with Goose Creek upstream to Blackhawk Creek, including Goose Creek and Hurdygurdy Creek and excluding all other tributaries (Del Norte County).
• 14.     South Fork Smith River, from the confluence with Craigs Creek upstream to the confluence with Goose Creek, including Craigs Creek, Rock Creek, and Coon Creek and excluding all other tributaries (Del Norte County).
• 15.     Wolf Creek, from Forest Service Road 062 crossing to Wolf Creek Lake (Mono County)
• 16.     Silver Lake at the headwaters of Shotgun Creek (Tulare County).

(Amended: 06/22/1995; 03/06/1997; 11/06/1998; 04/02/1999; 12/08/2000; 04/03/2003, 12/12/2008, 11/4/2009, 10/21/2010, 11/17/2011, 11/7/2012, 11/6/2013, 12/03/2014, 12/10/2015, 10/20/2016, 12/06/2017, 12/13/2018, 2/21/2020, 10/14/2020, 4/21/2022, 10/12/2022, 6/14/2023, 10/11/2023, 10/10/2024)

It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission that:

(Amended 6/18/93)

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has faced, and continues to experience, declines in pelagic fishes and anadromous salmonids. This policy is intended to guide management decisions that could affect fish species and other aquatic resources. The Delta, for the purposes of this policy, means the Sacramento‐San Joaquin Delta as defined in Section 12220 of the California Water Code. “Delta fisheries” includes listed species, species of greatest conservation need, native species, and game fish. It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) that:

(Adopted 2/21/2020)

It is the policy of the California Fish and Game Commission that: The following criteria shall be utilized by the Department to determine if a fishery qualifies as an "Emerging Fishery" in accordance with Section 7090, Fish and Game Code:

(Adopted 10/20/00)

It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission that:

(Adopted:11/07/12)

It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission that: The golden trout, designated as the state fish of California, will be perpetuated and maintained as appropriate to support its designation.

Within these waters golden trout will be preserved and maintained in as genetically pure a state as possible. Rainbow trout and other species of trout shall not be planted in designated golden trout waters. Barren lakes in this area may be reserved by the Department for future stocking of golden trout.

(Amended 5/14/93)

It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission that: The Department may plant fish in suitable waters at certain youth camps. Such camps must be operated primarily for underprivileged or disabled children or youth, with most costs of supporting a child at camp not paid by the children or their families. The Department shall report in writing annually to the Commission on the program. If a conflict exists between this policy and the salmon and steelhead or trout policies, the latter policies prevail.

(Amended 5/4/04)

It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission that:

(Amended: 06/18/93; 06/18/05; 05/09/08)

It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission to: Recognize there is a tremendous demand for fishing in reservoirs, lakes and streams. The Department of Fish and Game cannot meet all of the demands for catchable-sized hatchery fish for such waters. Therefore, to the extent possible it should encourage the involvement of the private aquaculture industry. The Department shall not stock fish in (1) private waters that are closed to the public, and (2) fee-fishing lakes operated by registered aquaculturists privately for profit. As long as they are open to the general public, the Department shall stock two types of waters: (1) those in which most, if not all, fish are reared and stocked by the Department, and (2) those in which the reservoir or recreation operator, under a Cooperative Stocking Program, plants an equal or greater weight of catchable-sized fish than does the Department. The Department alone cannot plant enough fish nor improve enough habitat to develop the full recreational potential of many waters. Although the Commission recognizes the prerogative of a local entity to rely on a fishing program of this type, it also recognizes the resulting loss in recreation fishing opportunities in areas where the demand is so great. It, therefore, directs the Department to encourage local entities to shift to the more successful Cooperative Stocking Program.

(Amended 8/26/93, 12/04/97, 01/07/99, 12/08/00, 12/07/01, 12/20/02, 12/05/03, 12/09/05, 12/07/07, 06/30/11)

It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission that:

(Adopted 4/5/96; amended 2/21/2020)

It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission to:

Trophy-sized black bass are defined based on their large but not unattainable size in the more productive warmwater reservoirs and lakes of the State. The Commission recognizes trophy-sized black bass based on the following minimum weight standards:

(Added 5/15/92)

It is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission that:

In stocking catchable-sized trout, lakes and larger streams shall have priority over smaller streams. Suitable waters with heavy fishing pressure compared to the size of planting allotments shall have priority. Trophy fish, weighing one pound or more may constitute up to 10% by weight of each load of catchables stocked, if they replace an equivalent poundage of catchables in the allotment for the water stocked.

(Amended 1/4/94)

(Repealed 10/12/2023)

The Department is supportive of youth fishing programs sponsored by city, county or other public entities. Through its urban fishing program, the Department will combine fisheries resource management with educational services to develop healthy urban fisheries, and provide young people with an opportunity to fish close to home. Fish planted for such programs may be obtained from State hatcheries.

(Amended 5/14/93)