The California Department of Fish and Game invites anglers to celebrate summer by fishing for free this Saturday.
July 7 is the first of two Free Fishing Days in 2012, when anyone can try their hand at fishing without having to buy a sport fishing license.
For the accomplished, already-licensed angler, Free Fishing Day is a perfect occasion to introduce someone new to the sport of fishing. Helping a friend to “get hooked” on fishing can be a great joy for those who’ve been around the pond a few times.
DFG offers two Free Fishing Days each year, when it’s legal to fish without a sport fishing license. This year, the Free Fishing Days are set for the Saturdays following Independence Day and Labor Day (July 7 and Sept. 8).
All fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect on Free Fishing Days.
Also, every angler still must have the appropriate report card if they are fishing for steelhead or sturgeon anywhere in the state, or salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity River systems. Anglers should check the rules and regulations at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/ for the waters they plan to fish.
Wardens will be on duty to enforce them.
For more information on Free Fishing Days, visit dfg.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/freefishdays.html
Hound hunting bill advances in State Assembly
The proposed legislation to ban hunting with hounds for bear & bobcat in California has passed the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee.
Senate Bill 1221 will now move forward to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for its next hearing, expected to occur in August.
The Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee first addressed the bill last week, and it actually failed by a vote of 6-4 at that time.
Compelling testimony of expert witnesses speaking against the bill was strongly supplemented by the brief testimony of 150 other individuals who stepped up to the podium to speak out in opposition to the measure.
More than 700 in total showed up to demonstrate their opposition to the bill.
However, as part of the process last week the bill was granted reconsideration status.
On Monday, July 2, the bill was brought back up for a special “vote only” hearing. That special vote passed 8-4.
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