NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is reminding anglers of the fishing regulations for the 2013 salmon season on the Feather River.

The regulations are effective Tuesday, July 16.

The California Fish and Game Commission adopts yearly regulations to help ensure the health of fish populations and give anglers an opportunity to enjoy fishing.

Feather River Regulations:

• From the unimproved boat launch ramp above the Thermalito Afterbay Outfall to 200 yards above the Live Oak boat ramp, open July 16 through Oct. 15.
• From 200 yards above the Live Oak boat ramp to the mouth of the river, open July 16 through Dec. 16.
• Daily bag and possession limit of two Chinook salmon for all open areas.

All salmon and steelhead taken in inland waters must be kept in such a condition that species and size can be determined until placed at the angler’s permanent residence, a commercial preservation facility or being prepared for immediate consumption. See Section 1.45 of the 2013-2014 Freshwater Sports Fishing Regulations for more details.

The area around the Thermalito Afterbay outfall is open to fishing this year, however the outlet structure itself is closed to the public.

This outlet structure is owned by the Department of Water Resources and is a part of the State Water Project that allows for the discharge of water from the Thermalito Afterbay to the Feather River below Lake Oroville.  

Consistent with the California Penal Code Section 602, persons found trespassing onto the outlet structure may be cited.

Last year, a temporary 250 foot closure was placed around the outlet structure.  That temporary closure expired in February 2013.

All other regulations for bag and possession limits for trout, salmon and other species, as well as general information about restrictions on fishing methods and gear are available on the CDFW website at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. –  A free, two-day wrestling camp will be offered in Kelseyville on Wednesday, July 24, and Thursday, July 25.

The camp will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kelseyville High School main gym, 5480 Main St.

The two-day clinic is open to Lake County youth of all ages, both boys and girls.

It is provided free of charge and will include free lunch and a t-shirt to all participants.

Come out to all four sessions with instruction provided by coaches Adam Garcia (Kelseyville Krush), Rob Brown (Kelseyville High School and Mountain Vista Middle School), Ed Fuchs (Lower Lake High School, Oak Hill Middle School, Punishers Wrestling), Elvis Cook (Kelseyville High School), Ron Campos (former head coach, Kelseyville and Upper Lake) and many other former wrestlers from all Lake County high schools.

They will work with all skill levels with emphasis on takedowns, reversals, escapes, pinning combinations and conditioning.

For more information contact Coach Rob Brown at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The HVL Men’s Niners Golf Club held a stroke play tournament on Thursday, July 4.

The results were:

• First flight: Woody Frink won with the lowest net of the day, 27. Scott McAllister was second with 31. Bruce Brashares and Fred Figg tied for third, 34.
• Second flight: Tim Greer, Olie Smith, and Dave Mann tied for first at 33.
• Third flight: Bruce Hamilton took first with the fine net, 28. Jim Brown and Mike Higman tied for second at 30.
• Fourth flight: Bob Schossler was first at 30. Paul Harvey was second at 32. Doug Carter and Gary Foote tied for third at 33.  

Closest to the par 3 Pins were Tim Greer and Dale Reeser.

Chip-ins were had by Bob Chesnut, Jim Wilson, Doug Carter and Bruce Brashares.  

Fifty-three men participated in the day’s events.

Question: I live in Redondo Beach and was told by the city to ask you what could be done about an infestation of the nuisance birds that are an absolute plague in our neighborhood.

I have small children that are woken up by these vile creatures starting at 3 a.m. to around 8 a.m.!

Please get back to me and let me know what I can and cannot do. (Armando R.)

Answer: There is a provision in the Fish and Game regulations that allows for landowners to destroy (shoot) crows that are damaging farm fields or other crops.

However, it seems this is not what you are dealing with, not to mention the fact that firearms cannot be discharged within city limits. If I interpret your question correctly, your principle complaint is the noise level.

There are actually a number of cities that have similar problems with crows and the cities have coordinated with either the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to implement abatement measures.

Here is a good article written by the Washington Department of Wildlife regarding nuisance crows http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/crows.html .

As you will see as you read it, it’s a tough issue because most of the abatement measures work only for short periods of time. If you believe the crows are in such a concentration that they create a public health hazard (droppings), then your city or county health department should be notified.

Bottom line, if the roosting crow population continues to grow, the city may need to get involved by contacting the USDA, Wildlife Services Division.

Pacific angel shark limits?

Question: Yesterday I caught and released a Pacific angel shark. At first I did not know what it was. It looked like a guitar fish but was different.

After looking through the regulations, I didn't see anything about the Pacific angel shark. Is there a bag limit and/or size limit on them? Or are they a protected species?

I also caught and released a broadnose sevengill shark. The regulations list a limit of one but no size limit. Does this mean any size can be taken? (Alan V.)

Answer: When a fish species is not mentioned specifically in the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet, section 27.60 applies (found on pg. 32 of the current Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet).

The general bag limit instructs fishermen to keep no more than 20 fish per day, of which no more than 10 fish may be of the same species.

Additionally, there are some species for which there is no bag limit (see section 27.60(b) for these species). If no size limit is given for a species, there is none.

Catching turtles at the lake?

Question: I’ve been seeing turtles at this lake we like to fish, and there’s a good chance I could catch one.

What are the regulations regarding catching turtles? Can I bring it home as a pet or to eat? (Huu Tran)

Answer: Before attempting to catch one of these turtles, it will be important for you to positively identify what species of turtle it is.

Be aware it is illegal to capture western pond turtles, a native California species, but it is legal to catch and collect non-native turtles (painted, slider and softshell turtles) under authority of a sportfishing license.

While there are no bag or possession limits for these non-native turtles, there are restrictions on the methods of take that may be used to catch them (California Code of Regulations Title 14, sections 2.00 and 5.60).

The only way to legally collect western pond turtles would be if you held a scientific collecting permit (CCR Title 14, section 40(a)). However, these permits are issued only to scientists doing bona fide research.

Finding existing hunting license number

Question: How can my son find his existing hunting license number? He has his certificate but lost his license. Can you let us know what to do? (Carla B.)

Answer: Your son can contact any CDFW office that issues licenses or any outside vendor that sells hunting licenses, and ask them to look it up. He will just need to provide either a driver license number, or if too young to have one, provide the parent’s identification information that the previous license was purchased under.

Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A fundraising doubles tournament is scheduled for Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 21.

The location for the event is the Gard Street tennis courts in Kelseyville.

The divisions to enter are open, senior, or intermediate divisions.

The donation collected per team is $100 to go directly to the Kelseyville Unified School District fund for resurfacing the courts.

Merchant donations will be awarded to the top entrants.

For entry, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and send checks made out to the school district to P.O. Box 1194, Kelseyville, CA 95451.

For more information call 707-591-6708.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – There is still time for high school students to sign up for free membership in the United States Tennis Association and receive free entry into the Lake County Open Junior Tournament.

The one-day event will be held beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, July 15, at Gard Street courts.

Call 707-591-6708 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to enter the junior tournament. All juniors ages 8 through 18 are eligible to play.

Refreshments will be provided and trophies awarded.

Deadline to sign up is Friday, July 12.

For more information, go to www.ustanorcal.com .