On April 15, 2020 the California Fish and Game Commission determined that a “temporary, adaptive approach was needed to give the California Department of Fish and Wildlife the ability to suspend sport fishing in any waters of the state or restrict the taking of any fish species to protect public health and safety from the immediate threat posed by COVID-19” so they created an emergency action to add Section 8.02, Title 14 to the California Code of Regulations. This allowed the Department of Fish and Wildlife with “the ability to delay, suspend, or restrict sport or recreational fishing for particular species or areas to ensure that anglers, local communities, and government employees are protected from increased risk of transmission of COVID-19.”
So, based on the fake mediademic of COVID-19, the Department decided to delay the Inyo County trout fishing opener that was scheduled to start on April 25, 2020
The Department also went on to attempt to protect wild trout fisheries and stocked fisheries by reducing bag and possession limits some streams starting April 22, 2020.
The Inyo County Board of Supervisors sent a letter to the Department on May 26, 2020 asking that the Opening day be moved to May 27, 2020. The county had received approval from the California Department of Public Health to move to Phase Two, Stage Two of Newsom’s ridiculously nonsensical “Resilience Roadmap.”
On May 27, 2020, Melissa Miller-Henson, Executive Director of the California Fish and Game Commission processed the request and the delay of opening as well as the previously adopted bag and possession limits were expired on that day, which allowed for a May 28, 2020 opening day for Inyo County. This decision does not affect the trout season in any other county.
On behalf of trout fishermen throughout California: Thanks, Melissa Miller-Henson!
From the CDFW website: “CDFW reminds anglers to abide by all state and local health guidelines regarding non-essential travel and physical distancing. Staying home in order to stay healthy is still the best way to keep yourself and others safe. Anglers are also advised to check with local authorities on the status of access points as many site closures and access restrictions exist and may change daily.”
California hunters and fishermen can get the latest updates to openers throughout the state at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website HERE.