Sports

Jug line fishing in California lakes?

Question: I would like to know if it’s OK to jug line fish for catfish in California lakes. Jug line fishing is having a float (such as a one-gallon plastic jug) tied to a series of hooks, all on one fishing line. The hooks are spread 20 inches apart and submerged while the fishing line floats on the water. The line is about 10 feet long and does not drift due to it being tied to the fishing pole main line. The jug is also weighed down for this purpose. I do not see any laws in the fish and game manual that states this is prohibited.

—Benjamin T.

San Jose

The residual effects of our very long and wet winter are still apparent on many local trails. I hiked the mountain-bike loop at Bucks Summit last weekend and encountered a number of snow patches, downed trees and muddy spots. It was all passable on foot, but a trip by bicycle would be another matter.

By the time you read this, the main road through Lassen Volcanic National Park will be open. Park officials expected to open it Saturday, July 16. They also anticipate opening Summit Lake and Juniper Lake campgrounds soon. As of last week, the road to Juniper Lake was still covered with snow.

Importing exotics … reindeer?

Q: I am planning to start a business within the next few years that will involve domesticated reindeer. I will likely need to import them into California from another state and am wondering what licenses, fees and requirements I will need to meet in order to do this. I do not plan to have more than five animals at any time and they will live on my property with me. I will not be using them for anything related to food or human/animal consumption. In other words, they will not be hunted or slaughtered.

I also want to know what areas are subject to zoning and other limitations. How can I know which geographical areas within Southern California will allow me to keep reindeer? I want to figure out which cities/towns I should look into, in terms of the real estate market, to meet these requirements.

—Erica A.

This has been a most interesting, if not frustrating, year for fishing so far.

The most successful anglers are those who have had the opportunity to get to know the water they fish.  Every lake and stream changes through the year so getting to "know the water" means understanding the feeding and migration patterns the fish are likely to engage in at any particular time.

It takes time to learn that.  That is why I prefer fishing our local waters rather than traveling far from home to waters I don't know well.  (For those who do travel, even experienced anglers, a guide can be instrumental to learning where the fish are as well as when and what they are feeding on. )