A wild turkey in Mariposa County Credit: Sierra Sun Times/Linda Gast
All calendar items are subject to change.
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires, flooding or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
April 30, 2026 - Various Days — Kokanee Salmon at Stampede Reservoir, CA-89, Truckee. In May 2025, 50,000 kokanee fingerlings with clipped adipose fins were released into Stampede Reservoir. Anglers who catch kokanee from now through 2028 are encouraged to report their catch, whether the fish has a clipped fin or not. Your reports help CDFW understand how stocking contributes to the kokanee fishery. For more information, visit CDFW’s Fishing for Kokanee page or contact rachel.fichman@wildlife.ca.gov.
1 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3-5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetlands in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Local Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit the event page(external link).
2 — Fishing in the City Clinic, 8 a.m. to noon, Granite Regional Park, 8200 Ramona Ave., Sacramento (95826). Do you know a kid eager to catch fish? Great, because it’s catfish season in Sacramento! Join CDFW at Youth Beginner Fishing Clinics, held monthly at local parks through September. These free fishing clinics are for beginners ages 5-15 to learn the basics of fishing, casting, conservation and more. Everything needed is provided, and clinics are held rain or shine. To learn more about Fishing in the City and to register for a Sacramento area clinic, visit the Sacramento Fishing in the City page. To learn more about opportunities in other areas, visit CDFW’s Fishing in the City page.
3 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Explore the wonder of nature in the middle of urban Los Angeles! Friends of Ballona docents will lead the tour through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and teach participants about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and unique native plants on the journey through different habitats. Participants might even meet some of the local wildlife. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Local Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit the event page(external link).
3 — City of Davis Wetlands Tour, 9 a.m. to noon, 45400 County Road 28H, Woodland (95776). Yolo Basin Foundation offers tours of the City of Davis Wetlands, located at the City of Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant. These tours offer a great outdoor experience to learn more about local and migratory bird species, mammals and native ecosystems. It is also an excellent opportunity for photography. Prepare for unpredictable weather by dressing in layers and bringing a water bottle. For more information and to register, visit the Wetland Tours page(external link).
4 – Archery-only Spring Wild Turkey and Additional Junior Spring Turkey Seasons Open (archery-only spring wild turkey extends through May 18). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit the Upland Game Bird Hunting page.
5-6 — California Fish and Game Commission Committee Meeting: Marine Protected Area Petitions and Inland Sport Fishing, 8 a.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 6878 Hollister Ave., Goleta (93117). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit the FGC website(external link).
9 — Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join CDFW for a free, family-friendly, guided tour to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River on the second Saturday of each month (please note no tours will be held June-Aug. due to our summer closure). Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants may see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. The maximum group size is 25 people, first-come, first-served. Tours are cancelled in heavy rain/extreme heat. The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information, call (916) 358-2884 or email Molly.Shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
9 — Ballona Creek Cleanup at Ballona Reserve, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands clean up the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Did you know that 130 square miles of storm drain flow into Ballona Creek? Gutter trash from as far away as North Hollywood can end up right in the wetlands. The time and effort put into clearing out debris means less trash in the wetlands, on beaches and in the open ocean. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Local Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit the event page(external link).
9 — Fiji Trail Invasive Plant Removal at Ballona Reserve, 9-11 a.m., 13730 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey (90292). Help CDFW remove invasive weeds in the public access trail known as the Fiji Trail in Area A. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology with a chance to witness the beauty of the area’s flora and fauna. The time and effort put into clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking is free on a first-come, first-served basis with an area to lock up bicycles. Registration will be on site consisting of a volunteer signup form/waiver. All ages are welcome, but minors will need a parent or guardian present at all times. For more information, email Michael.Schneider@wildlife.ca.gov.
9 — San Joaquin Hatchery Community Planting Day, 9 a.m. to noon, Friant Interactive Nature Site, 3735 E Flemming Street, Friant (93626). Join CDFW for a hands-on native planting and invasive plant removal volunteer day. The day will also feature a discussion of the iNaturalist app and how to use it to identify native plants and conclude with a tour of the San Joaquin Hatchery. For more information and to register, visit the event page(external link) or email Rachel.Sapper@wildlife.ca.gov.
14 — California Fish and Game Commission Wildlife Resources Meeting, 8:30 a.m., California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, 715 P Street, Second Floor, Sacramento (95814). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit the FGC website(external link).
15 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3-5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetlands in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Local Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, visit the event page(external link).
16 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Explore the wonder of nature in the middle of urban Los Angeles! Friends of Ballona docents will lead the tour through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and teach participants about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and unique native plants on the journey through different habitats. Participants might even meet some of the local wildlife. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Local Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit the event page(external link).
16 — Birdwatching at Los Banos Wildlife Area, 9 a.m., 18110 Henry Miller Ave., Los Banos (93635). This event will start with a brief introduction of the Merlin Bird ID app and a history of Los Banos Wildlife Area as a migratory bird area. Participants will then be taken to different viewing points to look for and log bird species.
17 — Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join CDFW for Tot Time every third Sunday of the month at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to create fun crafts! Please note there will be no Tot Time June-Aug. due to our summer closure. Recommended for children ages 2-7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, email Molly.Shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
19 — California Fish and Game Commission Committee Meeting: Marine Protected Area Petitions, 8 a.m., Holiday Inn Express, 35 Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente (92672). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit the FGC website(external link).
23 — Learn to Fish at Brannan Island SRA, 9 a.m. to noon, Brannan Island State Recreation Area, Highway 160 south of Rio Vista. Join State Parks and CDFW at this Learn to Fish/Fishing in the City Program event at Brannan Island SRA. All ages are welcome, but ages 16 and over must present a valid fishing license. After arriving, drive straight back to the roundabout dead-end by the wooden pier. For more information, visit the State Parks event page(external link).
23 — Community Habitat Restoration, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetlands in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Local Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, visit the event page(external link).
23 — Fiji Trail Invasive Plant Removal at Ballona Reserve, 9-11 a.m., 13730 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey (90292). Help CDFW remove invasive weeds in the public access trail known as the Fiji Trail in Area A. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology with a chance to witness the beauty of the area’s flora and fauna. The time and effort put into clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking is free on a first-come, first-served basis with an area to lock up bicycles. Registration will be on site consisting of a volunteer signup form/waiver. All ages are welcome, but minors will need a parent or guardian present at all times. For more information, email Michael.Schneider@wildlife.ca.gov.
28 — California Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 10 a.m., Natural Resources Agency Headquarters, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento (95814). The public is welcome. For more information, please visit WCB webpage(external link).
Source: CDFW
