The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife just extended a statewide sportfishing ban until May 4 because of coronavirus concerns, but recreational fishing in California inland water waters not already closed to recreation by local jurisdictions and water agencies remains open at this time.

However, the California Fish and Game Commission will remotely meet at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, to discuss delegating temporary authority to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to “delay, suspend or restrict sport or recreational fishing” if the CDFW director, in consultation with the president of the commission, finds that such action is necessary to protect against the threat from COVID-19 based on state, federal, local and tribal public health guidance and public safety needs.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed emergency regulation by calling (877) 402-9753 or (636) 651-3141; access code 832 4310. The agenda and call-in information is now available on the commission's website at https://bit.ly/3dXbYWi.

The request by CDFW Director Chuck Bonham takes place at a time when a number of county officials are concerned that travelers will spread the virus to rural communities.

“A bunch of places have already taken local measures like closing boat ramps, marinas and lake access,” said Jordan Traverso, deputy director for the CDFW Office of Communications, Education and Outreach. “If the commission decides to give CDFW the authority on Thursday, it would allow the CDFW director to temporarily delay or suspend fishing season openers very surgically based on recommendations from local officials, tribes or even the state health department, if it is determined that they want fishing closed for health reasons related to coronavirus.”

“We want to flatten the curve and prevent the spread, so we don’t want people traveling to go fishing or recreate. We really want people staying home,” she said.

In a letter to Bonham, Stacy Heaton, Senior Regulatory Affairs Advocate for the Rural County Representatives, urged the CDFW to immediately postpone all sportfishing seasons during the current state of emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, along with any planned fish stocking relate to the opening of those season.

“For a large number of rural California counties, controlling the movement of people – particularly urban/suburban non-residents drawn to rural recreation locales – is making it nearly impossible to control the spread of the coronavirus into communities which lack the capacity to provide healthcare to their residents who may become infected,” wrote Heaton.

This move takes place in a world of California recreational fishing that has changed considerably over the past couple of weeks. More lakes have closed to fishing, many launch ramps in the Delta have been shut down and ocean fishing for salmon has been delayed until after April 30.

Lakes and reservoirs still open to fishing include Amador, Anderson, Chesbro, Coyote, Folsom, (closed to vehicular access), Rancho Seco, San Luis (closed to vehicular access), Salt Spring Valley Reservoir, Shasta and Uvas. The Delta and the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers were still open to fishing at press time, but many boat ramps have been closed.

Closed lakes and reservoirs include Berryessa, Camanche, Clear Lake (and other Lake County lakes), Collins, Del Valle, Don Pedro, Los Vaqueros, McClure, McSwain, Modesto, New Hogan, Oroville, Pardee, Rollins, San Pablo, Sonoma, Scotts Flat, Turlock and Woodward.

These lists of open and closed waters are by no means complete. This is a very fluid situation, so make sure that you call ahead before you go to a lake, stream or river.

CDFW trout plants continue, but the Department has removed the fish plant schedule from their website in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 by preventing public crowding at water bodies.

“Fishing is still open and CDFW will continue stocking trout at locations where social distancing by anglers and physical distancing of hatchery staff can be maintained,” the CDFW stated. “All Fishing in the City stocking events have been canceled through April 30.”

On March 29, the California State Parks temporarily closed vehicle access at all 280 state parks to prevent the spread of coronavirus, due to visitation surges that “made it impossible for the public to implement appropriate social/physical distancing practices.” Information: www.parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve