California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 1 - Fish and Game Commission-Department of Fish and Game
Subdivision 1 - Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles
Chapter 4 - Ocean Fishing
Article 1 - Ocean and San Francisco Bay District
Fin Fish-Minimum Size Limits, Bag and Possession Limits and Seasons
Section 27.90 - White Sturgeon

(a) Open season: All year except as described in Section 27.95 of these regulations.

(b) Daily limit: One fish per day. After harvesting a White Sturgeon, anglers shall not continue to catch and release White Sturgeon on the same day. Anglers that have retained and tagged a fish are permitted to fish catch and release for White Sturgeon starting on the day after the tag was used.

(c) Annual bag limit: One fish per calendar year statewide.

(d) Daily vessel maximum harvest: All persons aboard a vessel may be cited for violation of a daily vessel maximum harvest limit. No more than two White Sturgeon may be harvested per day on a vessel, regardless of the number of anglers on board. Anglers must have in their possession a report card with a valid tag in order to retain a White Sturgeon. When the daily vessel maximum harvest is reached, only anglers that have not tagged a White Sturgeon that day may continue to fish catch and release for White Sturgeon.

(e) Size limit: No fish less than 42 inches fork length or greater than 48 inches fork length may be taken or possessed.

(f) Methods of take: Only one single point, single shank, barbless hook may be used on a line when taking sturgeon. The sturgeon must voluntarily take the bait or lure in its mouth. No sturgeon may be taken by trolling, snagging or by the use of firearms. Sturgeon may not be gaffed, nor shall any person use any type of firearm or snare to take any sturgeon.

For the purposes of this section, a snare is a flexible loop made from any material that can be tightened like a noose around any part of the fish.

(g) Removal from water. Any sturgeon greater than 68 inches fork length may not be removed from the water and shall be released immediately.

(h) Report card required: Any person fishing for or taking sturgeon shall have in their possession a nontransferable Sturgeon Fishing Report Card issued by the department and shall adhere to all reporting and tagging requirements for sturgeon defined in Sections 1.74 and 27.92, Title 14, CCR.

(i) For regulations on take and possession of sturgeon in inland waters as defined in Section 1.53, see Section 5.80 and Section 5.81.

(j) Boat limits, as defined in Subsection 27.60(c) and Section 195, are not authorized for sturgeon fishing and shall not apply to the take, possession or retention of White Sturgeon.