Fishing in the City

Learn-to-fish programs

Fishing Clinics

These 45 minute clinics offer instruction in the basics of fishing including knots, casting, rigging, safety, ethics and urban runoff. All equipment and tackle is available to participants and anglers are required to use rods provided. There is no charge for the clinics; however there may be a park entrance fee. Each adult may bring up to 2 children and a driver’s license is required for rod loan. These events are for children ages 5-15.

Most programs begin at 8 AM.  Clinics begin about every 10 minutes with the final clinic starting at 10 AM, or when we have reached the maximum capacity for the day which is usually 150 participants.

• A few things to know about fishing clinics

2009 Clinic Schedule:

Date	Location	City	Time	Phone	Email
Sunday , 2/8	Sandy Wool Lake	Milpitas	8-10 AM	(415) 892-0460	erotman@dfg.ca.gov
Sunday, 3/15	Campbell Perc Ponds	Campbell	8-10 AM	(415) 892-0460	erotman@dfg.ca.gov
Sunday, 3/29	Lake Chabot	Vallejo	8:00 - noon	(415) 892-0460	erotman@dfg.ca.gov
Saturday, 4/18 Note: Pre-registration encouraged (415) 899-8200	Scottsdale Pond	Novato	8 AM to 10 AM	(415) 899-8200	erotman@dfg.ca.gov
Saturday, 4/18	Lake Ralphine	Santa Rosa	9 - 11 AM	(707) 543-3282
Sunday, 4/26	Sandy Wool Lake	Milpitas	8 AM - 10 AM	(415) 892-0460	erotman@dfg.ca.gov
Sunday, 4/26	Lake Ralphine	Santa Rosa	8 AM - 10 AM
Saturday, 5/16	Lake Cunningham	San Jose	8 AM - 10 AM	(415) 892-0460	erotman@dfg.ca.gov
Saturday, 6/20	Lakeshore Park	Newark	8 AM - noon	(510) 578-4400	Bryan.cobb@newark.org

Free Fishing DAy

Fish without a license in 2009 – Saturday, July 4 (Independence Day) and Monday, September 7 (Labor Day)

On Free Fishing Days, Californians can fish without a fishing license. All other regulations apply.

Special Events and Derbies

• Sunday, March 8,  8:30am to 11am
  Kayak Fishing at McNear’s, San Rafael
  All skill levels are welcome. Bring your own kayak, paddles and drinking water. Salt water rods and reels will be provided by the Department of Fish & Game. Life vests are required. Heavy rains and/or high winds will cancel. Parking is $5/vehicle. Meet at the park’s Snack Bar for registration (201 Cantera Way, San Rafael).
  Offered by Marin County Parks (415) 507-4045
• Sunday, March 29, 7 - 11 AM
  Gone Fishing Derby for kids age 5-15
  Lake Chabot, Vallejo
  Pre-registration required at GVRD office at 395 Amador Street, Vallejo or (707) 648-4611
• Saturday, April 18
  Outdoor Adventure Fair at Shadow Cliffs
  Call to register (888) 327-2757 EBRPD
• Sunday, May 3,  9am to 11am
  Learn to Salt Water Fish at Paradise Beach, Tiburon
  Bring the kids to Paradise Beach Park and learn the basics of salt water fishing from a Park Ranger. A limited number of fishing poles and bait will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. There is an $8/vehicle parking fee. A fishing license is required when fishing from the shore, but not when fishing from the pier. Meet at the park’s fishing pier (3450 Paradise Dr, Tiburon).
  Offered by Marin County Parks (415) 507-4045
• Saturday, May 9
  City of Pleasanton/EBRPD fishing Derby at Shadow Cliffs

Supplemental Fish Stocking

To enhance angler’s abilities to enjoy lakes close to home in the urban area, The Fishing in the City program provides supplemental stocking of Rainbow Trout and Channel Catfish at lakes around the Bay Area.

1 pound rainbow trout (1 pound per fish) are planted in the cool months (generally October – April) and Catfish weighing between 1 and 2 pounds per fish are planted in the early fall and late spring.

The following lakes receive fish in varying amounts at different time of the year. We are unable to provide you with fish stocking information prior to planting; however, you may call (707) 944-5581 for lakes stocked by the Department. Many lakes are also stocked by the local park districts. For up-to-date fish stocking information, go to www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcheries/FishPlanting/BayDelta.asp.

Alameda County

• Don Castro Lake
• Horseshoe Lake
• Lakeshore Park Pond
• Shadow Cliff Lake
• Temescal Lake
• Lake Elizabeth
• Contra Costa County
• Contra Loma Res.
• Heather Farms Pond
• Hidden Valley Pond

Marin

• Scottsdale Pond
• McInnis Park Pond
• Stafford Lake

San Francisco

• Merced Lake North

Santa Clara

• Campbell Perc Pond
• Cunningham Lake
• Sandy Wool Lake 

Solano

• Lake Chabot

Sonoma County

• Lake Ralphine

The 10 pound Murdock Fish

A special 10 pound tagged Rainbow Trout dubbed the “Murdock Fish” has been released into Bon Tempe Reservoir (Marin County) to honor the late Outdoor Writer Dick Murdock. Anyone catching the Murdock fish should either have their picture taken or record the number from the tag and contact Marin Independent Journal at (415) 382-7822 or Ethan Rotman at erotman@dfg.ca.gov.

Please contact Ethan Rotman at erotman@dfg.ca.gov or (415) 892-0460 if you have any questions.