Sacramento, California – A new economic study, released Friday by the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO), demonstrates that two of the three marine protected area (MPA) proposals currently before the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) could have a devastating effect on the economy of California’s North Central Coast. Using available economic and fishing data, the study illustrates the impact that each MPA proposal will have on marine recreational fishing and local economies. Annually, recreational fishing has more than a billion dollar impact on California’s economy.

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he season for California’s popular red abalone sport fishery will open April 1 in waters north of San Francisco Bay. New in 2008, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will now require free divers and shore pickers of all ages who pursue this mollusk to have an abalone report card and to tag their catch immediately after exiting the water.

Angling Permitted from Horse Mountain to Point Arena
Anglers are reminded that the recreational ocean salmon season begins Feb. 16 between Horse Mountain and Point Arena (Shelter Cove and Fort Bragg port areas). The recreational ocean salmon season between Point Arena to the California-Mexico border (south of Bodega Bay) will open Apr. 5.

Wednesday

Status of salmon - The annual meeting on the status of salmon populations and the outlook for ocean and river fisheries takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sonoma County Water Agency, 404 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa. Hosted by the state Department of Fish and Game, information gathered from the public will help California representatives negotiate the broadest range of season alternatives at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting later in March. Information: Joe Furan, (707) 576-3456; Harry Morse, (916) 322-8962.

Delta

Largemouth bass fishing has shaken the winter doldrums. Saturday's 100% BASS tournament found 4 of 39 teams weighing in a five-fish limit that exceeded 30 pounds - better than a 6-pound average. Event organizers said the bass bite confirmed two beliefs: Anglers must fish in the tules and must have flippin' sticks in their hands. The best lure was a black-blue jig.

By Denis Cuff

A hound dog named Cooper swiveled his head and furiously sniffed a boat in search of a new California public enemy: the quagga mussel.

"Come on, boy," called out his handler, Roxanne Bowers, a state fish and game warden.

The public is invited to attend the annual meeting on the status of California salmon populations and the outlook for ocean and river fisheries. The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has scheduled this year’s meeting in Santa Rosa on Wednesday, March 5 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sonoma County Water Agency located at 404 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa.

Delta

Wild weather over the weekend chased anglers away. Since Monday, however, three sturgeon to 57 pounds were logged into Hap's Bait in Rio Vista.

"Two of the sturgeon were caught in Cache Slough, the other came from the Powerlines on the main Sacramento River," Audie Urbano said. "All were taken on grass shrimp and ghost shrimp."

Each March, ten's of thousands of anglers and boating enthusiasts converge on the Long Beach Convention Center for the Fred Hall Fishing Tackle and Boat Show. It's a ritual that has been going on for over 60 years.

The 24th renewal of the Stockton RV & Boat Show opens at 10 a.m. Thursday at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.

On display in the 50,000 square feet of indoor space are fishing boats, ski boats, fishing tackle, outdoors equipment and travel destinations, as well as "how-to" fishing seminars. The show runs through Sunday.

Delta

There is an improved sturgeon bite this week on the Sacramento River side at the Powerlines near Decker Island, Chain Island and Cache Slough.

"The sturgeon aren't heavy, but weigh 38 to 40 pounds on average," said Audie Urbano at Hap's Bait. "Grass shrimp, ghost shrimp and shad are the baits to use."