BY DAVE HURLEY
SACRAMENTO – The Fish and Game Commission meeting in Sacramento on August 13 and 14 has two specific items regarding proposed regulation changes for striped bass and sturgeon. The proposed sturgeon regulations are listed on the consent agenda so unless the item is pulled the item off the consent agenda, a final vote will codify the white sturgeon regulations to continue the catch-and-release fishing regulations established by emergency regulatory action.
This action will permit a catch-and-release fishery for white sturgeon during the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) status review process since it is expected to have minimal impact on the population, while providing recreational opportunities for anglers and mitigating adverse economic impacts to businesses that serve sturgeon angling. The existing emergency regulations will expire in September 2025 following two 90-day extensions of the emergency regulations in December 2024 (extension 1) and April 2025 (extension 2). The proposed amendment is necessary to continue the catch-and-release fishery through candidacy and until the Commission decides on the CESA listing status of white sturgeon. If the Commission ultimately determines that listing is not warranted, the Department will assess the best scientific evidence to determine if harvest is sustainable and develop recommendations for fishery regulation changes as warranted. This action also changes the Sturgeon Fishing Report Card from a year-long season (January 1 though December 2 31) to match the sturgeon fishing season established by the emergency action (October 1 through June 30).
What is more interesting is Item 13: Recreational take of striped bass – Discuss proposed amendments to regulations regarding recreational striped bass harvest size limits. A July 29 press release indicates the California Fish and Wildlife Department (the Department) “supported an 18-30-inch HSL because it would benefit anglers by creating a trophy fishery and increasing total catch. The Department is proposing changes to the following regulations in Title 14, CCR: 2
Amend Section 5.85 Striped Bass, subsection (c) o Add the maximum harvest size limit of 30 inches.
Add reference to the section defining anadromous waters.
Amend text to replace references to “minimum size limit” with “harvest size limit”.
Add Section 5.85 Striped Bass, subsection (d)(2) o Add section that specifies that in non-anadromous waters not mentioned in 5.75(d)(1), a minimum size of 18 inches total length and a harvest bag limit of 2 applies.
Amend Section 27.85 Striped Bass, subsection (c) o Add the maximum harvest size limit of 30 inches.
Amend text to replace references to “minimum size limit” with “harvest size limit”.
The proposed regulations have been three years in the making in response to The Nor–Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association (NCGASA) proposal for regulation change proposal to the Fish and Game Commission on August 1, 2022. As this is the second reading of the proposed slot-limit regulations, the agenda item will be included in a future meeting of the Fish and Game Commission. The public may submit written comments on or before 5:00 p.m. on September 25, 2025, at the address given below, or by email to FGC@fgc.ca.gov. Written comments mailed, or emailed to the Commission office, must be received before 12:00 noon on October 3, 2025. If you would like copies of any modifications to this proposal, please include your name and mailing address. Mailed comments should be addressed to Fish and Game Commission, PO Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090.
