Hunting and fishing in Palo Alto? Click for more info!

2011-12-04

December crabbin begins!

2011-11-25

Dungeness with mussels?

2011-11-19

Dungeness Beefcakes, Yum!

On the way home, I ran into a group getting out of the Big Game at Stanford. They kept saying how cold it was in Palo Alto. Wearing four layers and just coming from the chilly wind and rain in Pacifica, it felt pretty nice to me. ;-) Not to mention my green knit cap keeps me ultra cozy.



I got home kinda late so ended up having to put them on the aerator and chiller.



Fresh Dungeness Crab, nothing like it. Tastes just like the Pacific. Yummy.

2011-11-13

Dungeness Dinners Continue

2011-11-05

Dungeness Season Opens!

aka. Deadliest Catch - Pacifica

2011-10-28

Almost Mega-tide fishing!

2011-10-23

Bay Area Duck Hunting Press Coverage

2011-10-22

Duck Season 2011 is here!

2011-10-20

THE MAX-4 IS AT THE DOOR

2011-10-08

SHARK DAY!

2011-10-07

Matadero Creek Carp? Yup

2011-10-01

Honker Bonkin' is Here!

2011-09-29

Mega-Tide Fishing!

Five leopard sharks and three carp. No keeper sizes though, largest was 30 inches. A perfect day for fishing.

Only downer was a mis-informed California Land Management patrolman...

2011-09-24

Pheasants and... crayfish?

A winning combination. Thanks for the nose Spur! Even in the gale force winds.

2011-09-21

Duck Hunt Meeting

2011-09-17

California Coastal Cleanup Day!

2011-09-01/05

Labor Day Weekend Leopards

2011-08-25

2011-08-21

2011-08-06

2011-07-29/30

More New Moon Fish

THE LEOPARDS ARE BACK!

2011-07-01/02

Stealth New Moon Fishing Results!

2011-06-13/14

Stealth Full Moon Fishing Results!

2011-05-26

National Coverage of Shark/Ray Die Off - Thanks Linda!

http://www.earthfiles.com/news.php?ID=1856&category=Environment

Unprecedented Die-Off of Leopard Sharks
in Redwood City, Calif. Bay Area

© 2011 by Linda Moulton Howe

“The one thing that we do know is that the leopard sharks
are washing up dead in record numbers.”

- Sean Van Sommeran, Exec. Dir., Pelagic Shark Research Foundation

2011-04-23

RED ALERT!

South Bay Leopard Sharks and Bat Rays are in trouble!

Something has been killing off the leopard sharks and bat rays in Redwood City. So far I haven't seen anything south of the Dumbarton Bridge. Here is a story with some photos from the Chronicle.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/21/BAK71J5IFB.DTL

There is an organization named the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation out of Santa Cruz, California that is investigating the deaths.

Please support them via a direct donation or by a purchase from their online store.

Help save our shark buddies!

2011-04-16

Bad news from Fairfield.

The pheasants are being put out to pasture. Thanks for all the memories Fritz!

2011-04-07

*resurrected Kennedy accent* "4HP of FURY!" LOL

2011-03-16

The Fishing SuperMoon Delivers! Including a golfing pheasant...

2011-01-30

2011-01-23

2011-01-20

2011-01-18

Support the California Department of Fish and Game K-9 Program

2010-12-05

2010-12-04

2010-11-27

2010-11-21

2010-11-07 Duck Hunt

HOH + Cold Front = Duck Hunt Fun

Rain, I feel it, it's coming
The ducks coming down like...
Rain.

2010-10-30 Duck Hunt

GITSUM!

2010-10-23 Duck Hunt

SUCCESS!

2010 Duck Hunt Countdown!

Palo Alto Fishing Report

2010-10-07

Fishing at the gate was great today. Three bat rays, two huge ones. Circle hooks and squid. Lots of ducks moving in, and three more days of fishing!

2010-09-26

2010 Duck Season is almost here!

Take 'Em!

Hunter information meeting October 6th!

http://www.fws.gov/desfbay/Hunt/Hunt_meeting.htm

2010 South Bay Fishing Photos!

Hunting and fishing in Palo Alto you say?
Nearby fantastic seasonal watefowl hunting, and some really fun fishing!

 I often get asked when I am out and about with a fishing rod or shotgun, where I'm headed. Living in the urban environment, often you run into folks that are completely disconnected from the natural world around them. Many folks are often surprised to find out that even though we live in this urban area, you can still experience a little of the sportsman, angler, or hunter life without a road trip.

Before embarking on your South Bay sporting expedition, I recommend a few things:

• Make sure you have the proper licenses.

• Familiarize yourself with California Fish and Game laws as well as California Firearms Laws.

• Pay special attention to California Penal Code 12025, 12027, 12031.

• Be familiar with the Palo Alto Municipal Code.

Obtaining a California Fishing License

 A California Fishing License is simple to obtain, it can be purchased from any local sporting goods shop, and now even online. I recommend Big 5 in Menlo Park on El Camino. Make sure you get the Bay/Delta Endorsement Stamp as well. Without this stamp, you can't fish the bay. One oddity about the California Fishing License is how it has to be displayed. It must be visible above the waste line while fishing. Big 5 sells a little waterproof zip lock bag and pin which works perfectly. Just make sure it is on tight. It can get windy out on the bay! The CA DFG removed the Bay/Delta stamp and display requirements in 2010.

Obtaining a California Hunting License

  A California Hunting License requires an extra hoop in order to get. If you have never had a hunting license before you will be required to take a California Hunter Safety Class and pass a test. The tests consist of a multiple choice exam as well as a live-fire range test. Don't worry if you aren't a great shot yet, the range test is just for testing your ability to safely handle a firearm, not hit a target accurately. This a great introduction to hunting and firearm safety and is actually a lot of fun. That class can be taken at Reed's Indoor Range in Santa Clara. The class is taught by Bill Tidwell, he is a fantastic instructor with decades of experience.
 After taking the class, you will receive a California Hunting Class Certificate. It can be used to purchase a California Hunting License, or even apply for a non-resident concealed carry permit (Thanks Florida!) Don't forget to also pick up your ducks stamps ( California, Federal, and even Upland if you want!) and Harvest Information Program stamp.

Ok, I am licensed. Where can I go fishing?

Palo Alto Saltwater Fishing

Palo Alto Baylands

The City of Palo Alto website has a FAQ that states the following:

http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/csd/faqs.asp#875

Where can I fish in the Baylands?

The fishing areas are the sides of the levee in front of the Nature Center and out by the Tide Gate. All Fish and Game laws apply. You may only fish with one pole in the bay.

Palo Alto Freshwater Fishing

Palo Alto Foothills Park

The Palo Alto Foothills Park has one gotcha you have to watch out for. It is open to residents only! Make sure you have some kind of documentation with you that shows you are a resident. Often times, when you arrive early to fish, the ranger station at the front gate won't be manned. I have never actually had to show that I was a resident to enter, but there is always a first time.

The Palo Alto Foothills Park website states:

http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/csd/parks_and_open_space/preserves_and_open_spaces/foothills_park.asp

Lake, Fishing, and Boating

Fishing is permitted in Boronda Lake with a license only. The lake is stocked with bass, catfish, and sunfish. While swimming is prohibited you can enjoy the lake with your non-motorized and hand-launched boat. Canoes are also available for rent on the weekends and holidays from May 1st to October 31st, weather permitting.

Arastradero Park

Arastradero Park doesn't have any of the odd residential requirements like Foothills Park, just a hefty hike to the lake.

http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/csd/parks_and_open_space/preserves_and_open_spaces/pearson_arastradero.asp

Lake and Fishing

Arastradero Lake is a twenty minute hike from the parking lot and is open all year to fishing. All California Fish and Game rules apply. Boats, flotation devices, and swimming are not permitted.

Ok, I have caught my fishing limit, where can I go hunting?

For hunting you have to head out to the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge near Mountain View or East Palo Alto.

Duck, geese, and coot hunting start in October and last through January.

Also, don't forget when hunting these ponds to use a non-toxic lead free shot.

Ravenswood Ponds near East Palo Alto

These are the only two nearby ponds in the refuge that can be hunted from the levees. Others exist near Alviso.)

Refuge Ponds near Mountain View

(Pond A2E a few years ago with Moffett Field in the background.
All the duck blinds have since been replaced.)

The refuge ponds require a boat to hunt, as hunting can only be done from the existing duck blinds.

In order to hunt these reclaimed salt ponds, you must obtain a special refuge permit.

http://www.fws.gov/desfbay/Hunt/Hunt_Information.htm

Anyone can volunteer to help make the duck blinds better for all bay area hunters.