On Thursday, the California Fish and Game Commission (CFGC) postponed its scheduled emergency meeting to consider regulations that would give relief to certain RCRC member counties that have requested delays of seasonal recreational fishing seasons in their areas to help manage the spread of COVID-19. The web-based meeting was postponed due to an unexpectedly large public turnout and technical issues that severely hindered Commission staff’s ability to manage public comment.

While the meeting was overwhelmed with members of the public who interpreted the emergency measure as a statewide ban, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Charlton Bonham and CFGC President Eric Sklar have since jointly clarified that the regulations would only be implemented in targeted areas of the state upon request of local officials to help alleviate overcrowding. Four RCRC member counties - Alpine County, Inyo County, Mono County and Sierra County - have formally requested relief in the form of targeted delays of the upcoming opening of trout season in their areas. RCRC sent a letter of support for the emergency regulations (again, which would be acted upon after a formal request from a county authority) upon postponement of Thursday’s meeting. RCRC’s letter can be viewed here.

CDFW’s emergency regulations can be viewed here.