Fishing in Mariposa County
Sierra Sun Times file photo

July 4, 2021 - All calendar items are subject to change as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to adhere to all safety protocols including physical distancing, wearing masks and frequent hand washing.

Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfire damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.

Various Dates — Bat Talk and Walk Events, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis (95618). Summer is here, and the bats are back! The Mexican free-tailed bat maternity colony under the I-80 Yolo Causeway is growing daily as they return for the summer. Although many of the bats overwinter in the bridge, most seem to leave. As the weather warms, crops grow, insect populations explode and the bats return to the causeway. Yolo Basin Foundation hosts popular Bat Talk and Walk events where you can learn all about these amazing and beneficial animals and watch the “flyout” of the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in California! These events are held on various dates from June to September. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/bats2021(opens in new tab). 

Various Days — Ecological Reserve Tours at Elkhorn Slough, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Capacity is limited due to physical distancing requirements, and individuals must sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 to reserve a tour. For more information, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours(opens in new tab).  

1 — Dungeness Crab Sport Fishing Season Closed in the San Francisco and Central Management Areas (South of Mendocino County). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/crabs.

1 — Kellet's Whelk Recreational and Commercial Fishing Season Opens Statewide. For more information on Kellet’s whelk, please visit marinespecies.wildlife.ca.gov/kellet%E2%80%99s-whelk. 

1 — General Season for Rabbits and Varying Hare Opens Statewide (extending through January 30, 2022). For more information on small game seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/small-game.

3 — Free Fishing Day. One of two Free Fishing Days being offered by CDFW in 2021 is scheduled July 3 (the other is September 4). While all fishing regulations – such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures – remain in effect, anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license on Free Fishing Days. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/free-fishing-days.

3 — Tour of the Davis Wetlands, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Road 30, Davis (95618). Yolo Basin Foundation offers monthly tours of the City of Davis Wetlands. The tours are appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts and birders. The Davis Wetlands is a managed, native California wetland ecosystem that includes oak riparian woodlands and native grasslands. The group will caravan along the hard-packed gravel roads of the auto tour route. Several stops will be made along the way providing guests with a closer look at the many species of birds that utilize the more than 400 acres of reconstructed wetlands. Registration is required to attend. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours(opens in new tab).

21 — California Fish and Game Commission Marine Resources Committee Meeting, time to be determined. The meeting is to be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov(opens in new tab).

24 — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadline for Elk Hunting Opportunities. An $11.50 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.

24 — Explorer Series: Batty for Bats, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., 45211 County Road 32B, Davis (95618). Be part of an exclusive bat experience! Learn about their natural history and biology and even get an up-close look at live bats. The group will meet at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters and caravan to the bat viewing site in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Often a rice farmer or cattle rancher joins the group and shares his/her experience about wildlife friendly farming and ranching in the Central Valley. As the sun sets, enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres as the group awaits the spectacular fly-out of hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats! For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/explorer(opens in new tab). Proceeds support environmental education programs offered by the Yolo Basin Foundation.

29 — Evenings at the Estuary: Tidy Tips for Native Gardening Virtual Event, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join local experts to explore different aspects of gardening with native plants, and get your own questions answered during a facilitated Q&A session. This presentation will cover the basics of gardening with native plants before diving deeper into the intricacies of planning based on where you live. For more details and to register, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/events/evenings-at-the-estuary-tidy-tips-for-native-plant-gardening(opens in new tab).

30 — Last Day of Dungeness Crab Sport Fishing Season in Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/crabs.
Source: CDFW