Finish 2025 with a Great Catch
Steelhead are running, trout are biting, and bass and sturgeon remain active across California. December offers excellent opportunities for anglers to get out and enjoy crisp winter days on the water. Whether you’re casting from shore or launching your boat, it’s a great time to end the year doing what you love—fishing.
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Winter Species Watch: Trout
Winter can be a great time to find trout fishing opportunities in the foothills and in more urban environments found in lower elevations. California’s hatcheries work to provide many opportunities for the public to fish for catchable sized Rainbow Trout. To catch these fish from shore, try casting spinners or spoons and slowly retrieving them, or fish the bottom with dough bait or worms. Salmon eggs fished under a bobber also produce good numbers of fish. Boat anglers fishing larger lakes and reservoirs can have good days trolling flashers with spoons, or trolling stick baits 5-6 feet under the surface. Finally, the fly angler can have great days fishing with purple, orange or white streamers under the surface. Check regulations for the body of water you wish to fish before heading out!
Nimbus Fish Hatchery Ladder Opens
On Nov. 7, the fish ladder at Nimbus Fish Hatchery opened allowing hundreds of fall-run Chinook salmon to make their way to the spawning building. During November and mid-December, thousands of Chinook will be spawned at the hatchery, producing millions of eggs. Watch this video to learn more.
Conservation Lecture Series, Everyday Conservation: Real Ways Californians Can Protect Biodiversity
Join us for the next installment of the CDFW Conservation Lecture Series, “Everyday Conservation: Real Ways Californians Can Protect Biodiversity,” on Friday, Dec. 12, from noon to 1:30 p.m. This lecture will highlight meaningful ways Californians can help conserve the state’s incredible biodiversity.
Panelists Ann-Marie Benz of the California Native Plant Society; Constance Taylor, a conservation specialist of the California Invasive Plant Council; and Lila Higgins of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County will share practical actions anyone can take, such as planting native species, removing invasive plants, and joining local community activities. Presenters will provide resources and organizations that will help participants save biodiversity.
Whether you’re a gardener, educator, hunter, angler, outdoor enthusiast, or someone who cares about California’s natural heritage, this session will inspire you to take everyday steps that make a lasting impact for wildlife and wild places.
Fishing for Steelhead? Don’t Forget Your Report Card
Steelhead fishing in California usually heats up Dec.–Feb. in places like the Smith, Trinity, Mad, Eel, and Russian rivers along the coast, and the Feather, Yuba, American, and Mokelumne rivers in the Central Valley. If you’re fishing for steelhead, remember, a Steelhead Report and Restoration Card is required. CDFW uses data from report cards to track angling trends over time and is used in making fisheries management and regulatory decisions. The steelhead reporting period runs from Jan. 1–31 and is mandatory. Click here to report online. Visit the Steelhead Report and Restoration Card Program page for more information. Also, check out the new Data Dashboard where you can visualize angler data and help plan your next trip!
Spawning Fall-Run Chinook Salmon Kicked Off at CDFW’s Nimbus Fish Hatchery
Following the opening of the Nimbus Hatchery fish ladder, hard-working CDFW staff began spawning fall-run Chinook salmon on Monday, Nov. 10. On that day, 146 salmon were spawned and approximately 423,360 eggs were collected and fertilized. These eggs will begin hatching in late December and the fish produced will be released as smolts this coming spring. Spawning of fall-run Chinook salmon at the hatchery will continue till the middle of December followed by the spawning of steelhead trout, which will begin in late December and will continue into February. Watch this video to hear the sights and sounds of the first day of spawning at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery.
CDFW Supports Angling Opportunities Through Kokanee Salmon Stocking
Ever wonder where California’s hatchery Kokanee salmon come from? CDFW just completed the Kokanee egg collections this fall. Dive into the story behind these vibrant, hard-fighting fish in this video. Join CDFW Senior Environmental Scientists Flower Moye and Jason Julienne as they take you behind the scenes of Kokanee salmon spawning, egg collection, and annual planting efforts across the state. From the hatcheries to your favorite fishing spot, see how CDFW’s Kokanee program helps sustain fisheries, provide angling opportunities, and boost California’s outdoor economy.
CDFW Partners with International Sportsmen’s Expo in Sacramento in 2026
The International Sportsmen’s Exposition (ISE) is coming to Sacramento Jan. 15-18. CDFW staff will be on-site and available to answer questions in the Fishing, Hunting, and Youth Fair buildings. CDFW Wildlife Officers will also be stationed outdoors with their outreach trailer. We hope to see you there!
Help Shape How You Access Hunting & Fishing Regulations
Hunting and fishing regulations enacted by CDFW and the Fish and Game Commission are currently available as digital PDFs, following a statewide effort to reduce paper use. Previously printed in seven topic-specific booklets, these regulations are still in demand—especially in print and in languages other than English. In response, the Regulations Unit has created a short survey to better understand your preferences. Your input will help guide how we deliver regulations in the future, including print options and translations. The survey is anonymous unless you choose to share your contact information.
CDFW Installing CIRAS Signage Throughout the State
CDFW’s California Inland Recreational Survey (CIRAS) is a platform that allows you to plan your next fish trip, powered largely by data submitted by fellow anglers. This data, along with data from traditional sampling efforts, helps inform management decisions and in turn improves the public fishing experience. The approximate fishing spots you provide in the survey will not be shared on the CIRAS platform, keeping your secret spots secret. You can access CIRAS by visiting ciras.wildlife.ca.gov or you can scan a QR code found on the many CIRAS signs CDFW is installing at water bodies throughout the state. Watch this video to learn more.
Make the Holidays Reel – Get Out and Fish!
The holiday season is about slowing down, spending time with loved ones, and making memories that last. What better way to do this than by heading outdoors and casting a line together? Whether it’s a crisp morning at your favorite lake or an afternoon at a local pond, fishing offers a peaceful escape from the holiday rush. CDFW offers annual and lifetime licenses, and CDFW’s R3 Initiative provides resources and quick, easy tips to help anyone get started. Combined, these make the perfect holiday gift for new or experienced anglers alike. So, bundle up, grab your license and gear, and trade the shopping crowds for shoreline views and maybe even the catch of the day.
Supporting Steelhead Trout Populations in the American River
Last month, in the days leading up to a significant winter storm, CDFW hatchery staff released roughly 230,000 steelhead trout at 4 fish to the pound at the Lower American River. These fish will benefit from the rising flows and turbidity produced by the storm to swim out to ocean waters and return back to the American River approximately 2-3 years from now. This effort supports local steelhead angling opportunities and overall steelhead populations in the American River. Watch this video to learn more.
Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) Photo of the Month!
CDFW’s R3 team wants to thank you for the hundreds of photos shared of your fishing experiences! Seeing Californians enjoying the state’s outdoor resources and bounty put a smile on our faces. This month, we would like to highlight Henry R. with a photo of his first Yellowtail caught off the coast of Catalina Island! Thanks for the photo, Henry!
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Fall Creek Hatchery Sees a Strong Start to Chinook Salmon Spawning Season
CDFW hatchery staff are hard at work spawning fall-run Chinook salmon at the Fall Creek Hatchery which supports salmon populations across the Klamath River Basin. As of Oct. 22, 883 Chinook salmon have returned to the hatchery. Watch this video.
Winter Fishing Techniques for Bass
Winter bass fishing in California may be slower, but it can still be rewarding for patient anglers who adjust their tactics. As water temperatures drop, bass move deeper and become less aggressive, making slow presentations key. Try dragging a jig, working a dropshot, or using a suspending jerkbait with long pauses to trigger strikes. Focus on deeper structure, rocky points, and areas that warm slightly during sunny afternoons. It’s also a great time to explore new waters using the California Inland Recreational Angler Survey (CIRAS) to locate fishing opportunities across the state. Remember to log your catches in CIRAS to help support fisheries management and conservation while sharing valuable data that benefits all California anglers.
COMING SOON! CDFW Highlights a Sierra Nevada Icon for its 2026 Warden Stamp Series: The California Golden Trout
The 2026 Warden Stamp will be available soon! This stamp features the California golden trout, California’s official state freshwater fish and a native species found in the high-elevation streams of the southern Sierra Nevada. Known for its vibrant colors and limited range, the golden trout is a symbol of California’s wild waters. By featuring the golden trout on the 2026 Warden Stamp, CDFW celebrates this iconic species and encourages anglers to explore its native waters through the California Heritage Trout Challenge. Find more Warden Stamp info here.
New Pet for the Holidays? Remember – “Don’t Let it Loose, California!”
If a new fish, pet turtle or snake is part of your holiday this year, please remember many animals available to adopt or purchase are not native to California. If released into the wild, these animals disrupt the environment making them invasive species. When invasive species live where they don’t belong, they harm the plants and animals native to California ecosystems. Read up on responsible ways to part with unwanted pets at the link below.
CDFW is Looking for Landowners!
Are you or someone you know, a landowner or land manager? CDFW is looking for fishing properties with a variety of water types, especially easements to rivers and streams, which can serve the diverse interests and skills of recreational anglers. The Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) program incentivizes landowners to increase the stewardship of their lands by creating limited and controlled opportunities for rewarding recreational experiences. In exchange, SHARE offers financial compensation and full liability protection. Please visit our website or contact the SHARE Fisheries Coordinator to learn how you can help get more people outside and enjoying nature.
CDFW Fish Truck Tracker
This month enjoy firsthand the millions of trout CDFW has been raising and planting each year that support the state’s fishing opportunities. To view trout planting schedules, visit the fish planting website.
Keep up with the latest in CDFW fishing, hunting and conservation news.
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By purchasing a fishing license in California, you are providing a dedicated source of funding for management and protection of the state’s fisheries and for fish hatchery operation. Purchasing a sport fishing license also helps support California’s long-standing fishing heritage for today and future generations.
Thank you for fishing in California!