Fishing in Mariposa County Sierra Sun Times file photo
All calendar items are subject to change.
June 30, 2026 - 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.
Various Days — Bat Talk and Tour, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis (95618). Did you know that colonies of migratory bats live under the Yolo Causeway during the summer? Join Yolo Basin Foundation for a summertime Bat Talk and Tour event and learn all about these amazing and beneficial mammals. Following a presentation featuring live native bats, guests will enjoy a guided caravan tour through portions of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area using walkie-talkies to learn about the history and management of the area, rice farming practices and the diverse wildlife and plants that thrive in this unique habitat. As sunset approaches, gather to witness one of California’s largest bat colonies emerge from beneath the Yolo Causeway to feed over the wetlands and agricultural fields. This year, the Yolo Basin Foundation will introduce a new addition to the program — the Mobile Visitor Center. The Mobile Visitor Center will accompany most tours and features a large monitor and SonoBat(external link) software, allowing guests to hear bat echolocation calls and watch visual displays of the bats’ activity in real time as they fly overhead. For more information and to register, visit the Bat Talk and Tour page(external link).
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 — General Season for Rabbits and Varying Hare Opens Statewide (extending through Jan. 31, 2027). For more information on small game seasons and limits, visit the Small Game Mammal Hunting page.
1 — California’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) Goes Digital. The new SWAP Hub(external link) provides a more accessible, interactive, user-friendly platform for CDFW staff and tribal and conservation partners. The new SWAP Hub includes the SWAP Data Explorer(external link), an interactive tool for visualizing key SWAP data, and SWAP Conservation Success Stories(external link), a StoryMap highlighting State Wildlife Grant funded projects. For more information, direct questions to swap@wildlife.ca.gov.
4 — Free Fishing Day. One of two Free Fishing Days being offered by CDFW in 2026 is scheduled July 4 (the other is Sept. 5). 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. Every angler must have the appropriate report card if they are fishing for steelhead or sturgeon. For more information, visit CDFW’s Free Fishing Days page.
4 — Learn to Fish at Bethany Reservoir SRA, 10 a.m. to noon, Bethany Reservoir SRA, 13638 Christensen Road, Byron (94514). Join CDFW and State Parks for a Fishing in the City/Learn to Fish event. All ages are welcome. July 4 is Free Fishing Day and no fishing license is required, even for those 16 and over. Meet staff near the boat launch. For more information, visit the Bethany Reservoir SRA page(external link).
5 — City of Davis Wetlands Tour, 9-11 a.m., 45400 County Road 28H, Woodland (95776). The City of Davis Wetlands tours are hosted by the Yolo Basin Foundation on the first Sunday of the month at the City of Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant. These tours offer a refreshing outdoor experience to learn about local wetlands, native fauna and flora, and the importance of these biodiverse ecosystems. There is no access to restrooms in the City of Davis Wetlands. Tours are rain or shine unless the roads are closed due to flooding. To register, visit the Wetlands Tours page(external link).
9 — Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve Public Workshop, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Westchester Municipal Building, 7166 W Manchester Ave., Los Angeles (90045). CDFW is hosting a public workshop for the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve Land Management Plan. The workshop will kick off with a short presentation from CDFW staff on the purpose and process of a Land Management Plan followed by a breakout session for small group discussion and activities to provide input on topics related to the management and future vision for Ballona Wetlands ER (e.g. compatible public uses, volunteerism and community engagement). For more information, visit the Ballona Wetlands page or email landmgmtplanning@wildlife.ca.gov with “BWER Land Management Plan” in the subject line.
10 — 2026 Game Fish Contest Initial Offering (North). The Northern Initial Offering for Black Bass ‘Type A’ Game Fish Contests will be held on July 10 at the CDFW office in West Sacramento. For more information, visit the CDFW Fishing Contests, Tournaments and Derbies page.
11 — Los Banos Wildlife Area Complex Hunt Blind Brush-up Volunteer Day, 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are invited to help prepare waterfowl hunting blinds at the Los Banos Wildlife Area and Gadwall Unit for the upcoming season. Work will primarily consist of camouflaging stand-up blinds by cutting and bundling tules, plus cleaning pit blinds. Be prepared for sun and heat, insects and other creepy crawlies! To help at the Los Banos Wildlife Area, meet in the main parking lot at 18110 Henry Miller Road. To help at the Gadwall Unit, meet at parking lot D off Highway 152 and Santa Fe Grade. Registration is required. For more information and to sign up, email losbanoswa@wildlife.ca.gov or call (209) 826-0463.
11 — Celebration of the Blues, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Join us for a special one-hour viewing of the El Segundo blue butterfly in its restored dune habitat. Learn about the history of this special butterfly and the efforts underway to bring it back from the brink of extinction. Parking and entrance gates are located behind Local Market. Registration is required. For more details and to register, visit the event page(external link).
11 — 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 on site will consist 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.
16 — Imperial and San Jacinto Wildlife Area Hunting Program Outreach Meeting, 5:30-7:30 p.m., via Microsoft Teams. CDFW will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding hunting programs on the Imperial and San Jacinto wildlife areas. CDFW and partners will provide updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands and hunting access opportunities. CDFW annually provides an opportunity for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on public hunting programs, including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas through public meetings and outreach. A wildlife area designated as Type A is a wildlife area with restricted hunter access during waterfowl season. Join the meeting via Microsoft Teams(external link) or dial in by phone at (916) 535-0984, conference ID 688411317#. If you are unable to attend, email imperialwla@wildlife.ca.gov to submit comments and questions.
16 — California Fish and Game Commission Marine Resources Committee Meeting, 9 a.m. The meeting will be conducted via teleconference with options to participate in person at the California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, Second Floor, 715 P Street, Sacramento (95814), or the Scripps Institute of Oceanography Eckart Building, 8755 Biological Grade, room to be determined, La Jolla (92037). For more information, visit the FGC website(external link).
17 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3-5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves to help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. The time and effort put into clearing out invasive vegetation give 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).
18 — 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, teaching 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 details about the event and to register, visit the event page(external link).
24 — 2026 Game Fish Contest Initial Offering (South). The Southern Initial Offering for Black Bass ‘Type A’ Game Fish Contests will be held on July 24 at the CDFW office in San Diego. For more information, visit the CDFW Fishing Contests, Tournaments and Derbies page.
25 — Learn to Fish at Brannan Island SRA, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 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 and meet at the Picnic Area. For more information, visit the Brannan Island SRA page(external link).
25 — Community Habitat Restoration, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves to help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. The time and effort put into clearing out invasive vegetation give 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).
25 — 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.
Source: CDFW
