Can sport caught fish be donated to a food bank?

Question: We often take folks out fishing while they are visiting the area and staying at hotels, bed-and-breakfasts or campsites. Unfortunately, they are often not able to consume all of the fish that they catch.

We understand we are allowed to gift fish to friends and family members (as long as each individual does not possess more than one bag limit per person per day).

Are there restrictions on gifting extra fish to local food banks or soup kitchens as long as the food bank would want and accept them? This is a question from a traveler who is interested in planning a future trip. (Jenny O., Santa Cruz)

Answer: Yes, a person is allowed to donate (gift) any fish taken to a food bank or soup kitchen that does not charge money for the fish as long as the fish were legally taken and the daily bag limit was not exceeded.

Since every person is only allowed to take or possess one daily bag limit of fish per day, anglers should individually donate their fish to avoid having someone transport more than a possession limit of fish at any time. 

Since many food banks and soup kitchens no longer accept donations of meat or fish that is not USDA-certified, you may want to check with them in advance.

Airguns and upland game hunting

Question: My buddy and I are part of the ever increasing population of airgun hunters. We typically take rabbits and ground squirrels, but would like to use these .22 caliber precharged pneumatics for turkey and other upland game, such as quail and dove.

While we believe the regulations cover the turkey hunting explicitly, can you confirm if it is also legal to take dove and quail with these firearms? (Jason C., Windsor)

Answer: Resident small game (as listed in California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 257) may be taken with an air rifle firing pellets and powered by compressed air or gas. This includes: wild turkey (must use at least 0.177 caliber or larger), Eurasian collared doves, quail, non-protected squirrels, jack rabbits and cottontails, in addition to the other resident small game species defined in section 257.

Western mourning dove, white-winged dove and band-tailed pigeons are listed as migratory game birds and may not be taken with an air rifle.

Continue diving for fish after abalone limit reached?

Question: Just a quick question now that abalone season is upon us. I took up spearfishing last season and really enjoy it. I know the regulations state that once you reach your limit on abalone you must immediately stop diving.

Does this mean stop diving altogether or just for abalone? I guess the question I am asking is can I continue to dive and spearfish after I get my limit of abalone? (Tom R.)

Answer: It is legal to spearfish after harvesting abalone. Abalone divers may take up to three abalone per day, and no more than three abalone may be possessed at any time.  Nothing in the regulations requires you to exit the water after harvesting a limit of abalone.

However, individuals “taking abalone shall stop detaching abalone when the limit of three is reached” (CCR Title 14, section 29.15(c)). This section also requires abalone divers to retain all legal-sized abalone they detach until they reach the limit.

Crayfish for bait?

Question: I was wondering if you can use crayfish as bait when fishing for freshwater fish, such as bass? (Jerry Y.)

Answer: Generally, crayfish may be used for bait statewide, with some exceptions (see CCR Title 14, sections 4.00 and 5.35). Even though crayfish are allowed as bait for bass fishing in most areas of California, if the crayfish were not caught and used in the same waters from where taken, many lakes prohibit anglers entering lakes with live bait.

This is due to the potential for the introduction of exotic species, such as quagga and zebra mussels. There is no way to certify the bait and water holding the bait are free from these species.

If you plan on using crayfish brought into a lake, it is important to check ahead of time with the operator of the lake to see if they allow importation of legally acquired bait.

Underwater camera to find trout?

Question: Is it legal to use an underwater camera to look for trout that may be hiding underneath the creek/river bank?

Does it matter if it’s used while engaged in the actual activity of trout fishing or when not in possession of a fishing pole? (Jim B., Elk Grove)

Answer: An electronic viewing device, such as an underwater camera, would be legal but a non-electronic viewing device (such as goggles, scuba mask, etc.), would be prohibited for taking fish (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 2.09).

There’s an exception, though, under the provisions of spearfishing (CCR Title 14, section 2.30).

Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

UKIAH, Calif. – On the evening of May 10 in the Mendocino College Center Theatre, the Human Services (HUS) Programs held their inaugural Student Awards Ceremony.

Guests, faculty, and honorees were welcomed with an array of food and coffee, very generously donated by local businesses.

William Feather began the celebration with a heartfelt welcome and offered appreciation for the families and the many supporters of HUS students and faculty.

The student honorees at this inaugural awards event included Otaka Redhawk, Amanda Coggins and Devi Kirsch.

Otaka Redhawk was presented with the Student Choice Award and was recognized for her support of other students and her dedication to her family, community and her education.

Well-respected HUS faculty, Christine Price, presented Amanda Coggins with the Academic Excellence Award.

Dan Jenkins emphasized Coggins’ interpersonal perceptiveness, advanced skill-level, academic rigor and dedication to her education in the face of extreme adversity.

Hillary James, supervisor with Substance Use Disorder Treatment programs at Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency, presented Devi Kirsch with the Excellence in Service Award. 

James expressed her deep appreciation for Kirsch’s contributions as an intern with SUDT and her congratulations for Kirsch’s recent employment with the agency.

Kirsch described her experience at the ceremony. “I listened to everyone speak on behalf of the program, students, teachers and mentors, I noticed a theme: each person was faced with adversity, and overcame it, arriving at the conclusion that they must face it again and again alongside their fellow man.  I saw the faces of many people who offered me guidance and inspiration throughout my life.” 

She went on to say many of her role models started out in the HUS/Alcohol and Other Drug Services programs at Mendocino College which has inspired her to continue her education, working toward her bachelor’s degree this fall, with the intention to continue on to obtain her master’s degree.

Special acknowledgement was made to Darletta Fulwider, an administrative assistance in the college’s Students Services department and an invaluable support for many Mendocino College students, but especially American Indian students.

American Indian students make up 33 percent f the HUS scholarship students, and 24 percent of the college’s total HUS students – compared to 5.5 percent of the students college-wide.

The unprecedentedly large proportion of American Indian students in the HUS programs, can, in part, be attributed to Fulwider.

“Human service workers address the needs of people with behavioral health issues, substance use disorders, mental illness, homelessness, unemployment, poverty,” said Professor Jenkins, director of Cooperative Work Experience Education and founder of the Human Services programs at Mendocino College. “They are the ones who provide the help to the marginalized, oppressed and disenfranchised, the victims of endemic racism and violence. They are the ones who fight for social justice every day, one person and one family at a time.”

In 2014 Mendocino College received a three-year, $300,000 grant to provide access to education in HUS.

Scholarship applications are being accepted for the 2016-17 school year. Many of the students recognized at this event are the beneficiaries of that grant.

“It takes many people to make a program like this work,” Jenkins said. “We have wonderful faculty, who deserve continued acknowledgement, but I also want to acknowledge the dedication and support of Dawn Banks, administrative assistant, who has been the glue holding this grant program together.” 

The awards event was organized by student ambassadors and program graduates Diana Billy-Elliott, Paul Murguia, William Feather and Corinna Avila, each of whom dedicated substantial time and energy to this program.

NAPA, Calif. – Beginning June 22 and continuing for three weeks, Martin Brothers Construction will begin construction of the Silverado Trail overlay project.

The project limits are from Calistoga to Larkmead Lane.

Construction will be scheduled 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Motorists should expect 15-minute delays. Avoid the area if possible.

Detours include Highway 29, using Tubbs Lane to the north, and Deer Park Road to the south in order to cross the valley.

Depending on the location of the work on any given day, other crossroads from Silverado Trail to Highway 29 may be available.

An overlay is the placement of a two-inch thick layer of brand new pavement over the existing road surface.

The contractor will perform some repairs of the existing roadway first to ensure the maximum longevity of the new pavement.

Once completed, it will restore the road condition, with a smooth, quiet ride and greatly extend the life of the road.

To stay updated on this and other roads projects or events that could impact your commute, view the online map at http://services.countyofnapa.org/roadinfo or sign up for Nixle to receive alerts to your cell phone by texting your zip code to 888-777.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Considered by many film critics to be the most perfect film noir ever made, “Chinatown,” starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, screens at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport on Tuesday, July 12, at 1 and 6 p.m.

Made in 1974, this was the last film that director Roman Polanski made in America, and features a Robert Towne script set in 1930s Los Angeles.

It stars Nicholson as the cynical cop turned private eye, and Dunaway as the mysterious lady in distress.

The film won six Academy Awards including best picture, actor, actress and director.

The movie is sponsored by Westside Park Grillin’ On The Green. Rated R with run time of 2 hours 10 minutes.

Entry to the film is by donation.

The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707-263-0577, www.soperreesetheatre.com .

Harry Hollis Woodworth
1929-2016

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport resident Harry Woodworth passed away on June 10, 2016. He was 87.

A child of the Depression, Harry was born in Nebraska to Paul and Venita Woodworth on May 24, 1929.

He survived Dust Bowl pneumonia to become an MP in the U.S. Army.

A drama major in college, he went on to use his flair for public speaking as a science teacher at McPherson Jr. High School in Orange, Calif., for more than 30 years.

He remained married to Celia Hamilton Woodworth, his wife of 46 years, until her death in 2011.

In retirement, Harry was an avid participant in the Lake County Rock Club, the Writers Club, the Senior Center and in the monthly luncheons of the local retired teachers’ association.

Full of enthusiasm and good humor, he endeared himself to loved ones and strangers alike and will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his stepson Christopher Conkle, his son Stephen Woodworth, and his granddaughter Courtny Conkle, as well as by his extended family and in-laws.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary on Thursday, July 14, at 11 a.m. 

For further information, contact Chapel of the Lakes at 707-263-0357 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The University of California Master Gardeners group will host Dr. Harry Lyons at its monthly meeting in July.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, at the Hartley Masonic Lodge, 375 N. Main St. in Lakeport. The entrance is on Fourth Street.

Lyons' topic will be “Lessons from Green Water.”

Lyons, a retired biology professor, weaves the stories of two nutrient-rich aquatic ecosystems, the Hudson River and Clear Lake, in addressing the problems and promises of such rich biological communities.

Although differing in their geological and hydrologic histories, the two systems face similar problems with over-enrichment and point-source contamination.

Most feel the biological condition of the Hudson has improved; some feel the biological condition of Clear Lake has not.

Can the political action taken on behalf of the Hudson River serve as a model for pushing improvement of water quality in Clear Lake? How is the chance of success through political action dependent on the type of pollution and its causes?

Dr. Lyons grew up swimming and fishing in the Hudson. His lifelong interest in water led him to pursue his PhD in oceanography from the Scripps Institution of the University of California after academic work at Rutgers and Stanford.

He has lived by, sampled from, and swum in Clear Lake for more than 35 years. His talks are always peppered with the spirit of relevant songs.

To RSVP call 707-263-6838 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Investment Centers of America, Inc. (ICA) presented Jennifer Strong, Certified Financial Planner and owner of JE Strong Financial Network located in Lakeport, Calif., with the Courage Award at the company’s national conference in Boca Raton.

The annual event, held April 27 to 30, provided an opportunity for attendees to share strategies for developing effective solutions to assist clients with their financial goals.

The Courage Award is awarded annually to someone who leads effortlessly during times of crisis, ensuring the safety of their clients, business operations and human resource capital.

When the Valley fire broke out in Lake County in September 2015, Strong was attending a conference in Colorado. Upon receiving the news, she immediately went into action.

From her cell phone, she called on her fellow Lakeport Rotarians to set in motion the establishment of the Lake Area Rotary Club Fire Relief Fund.

She began dispersing information to neighboring Rotary Clubs, business and personal contacts as to the existence of the Fund.

The donations began flooding in to her office, and to date, the fund has raised nearly $750,000 for the residents and businesses that have been affected by the devastation of the 2015 wildfires.

Her office staff also quickly mobilized to contact every one of their clients that lived in the affected area and assisted them in finding temporary housing within their own homes as well as that of fellow Rotarians and community members.

In addition, her office quickly created a master list of available rentals in the area which was shared countless times throughout the community with local organizations working with fire victims, individuals and anyone that lost their home in the fire.

Finally, Strong is the ride director of the annual Konocti Challenge cycling event sponsored by Lakeport Rotary and held every year on the first weekend in October.

The 2015 event was just two weeks after the Valley fire broke out. Not only were she and her fellow Rotarians successful in producing an incredibly successful event that brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars of benefit to the fire ravaged community, she was also able to garner the donations of over 200 new children’s bicycles and helmets for the kids that lost theirs during the fires.

The bicycles were given out to these kids and their families the afternoon of the ride and all of the cyclists in attendance were able to spend time with the kids by helping them locate their bike and size their helmets.

“Jennifer showed true leadership this past year during great adversity,” said ICA Regional Manager Debbie Chandler. “Even the best laid plans become obsolete when life throw storms your way. It was truly inspirational to see this office thrive in the face of one of the biggest hardships in life.”

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Arts Center is once again offering its fun-filled and creative summer art camp for children aged 5 to 13.

This year’s theme, “Adventures in Art with Animals,” will engage your child’s imagination, creativity and curiosity through animal-related projects in painting, drawing, ceramics, mask making, performance art, paper mache and more.

“Adventures in Art with Animals” will take place Monday, June 20, through Friday, July 1, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The cost is $250 for 10 days of awesome creative fun, plus healthy snacks. There is a 10-percent discount for Middletown Art Center members or multiple siblings.

Scholarships for those who lost their home in the Valley fire or are otherwise in need are available through generous donations from the Lake Area Rotary Club Association Fire Relief Fund, Lake County Rising and Middletown Art Center benefactors.

Download a scholarship application from the Web site at www.middletownartcenter.com/classes.html , or email or call to ask about the center’s scholarships. They encourage people in need to reach out to them as they want every child to have an opportunity to experience the arts.

Advance registration is requested as spaces are filling up.

Visit www.middletownartcenter.org and click “classes” to easily register online and pay via Pay Pal, send a check to P.O. Box 1616, Middletown, CA 95461, call 707-809-8118 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve your child’s spot. Advance payment is preferred.