California Decides Against Setting Striped Bass Upper Size Limit

SACRAMENTO — At a meeting earlier this month, the California Fish and Game Commission voted not to impose a maximum size limit for recreational striped bass fishing. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reports that the decision came after years of discussion, public comment, and scientific research. The restriction under consideration involved keeping an 18-inch minimum and imposing a 30-inch maximum to protect larger, mature fish. The vote by the Commission was three against, two for.

In 2024, the CDFW concluded via analysis that a 30-inch upper slot limit may provide stock conservation benefits through increased recruitment resulting from protections for older, larger spawning females. No specific recommendation was given by the CDFW for whether an upper limit should be imposed. The agency does not support increasing the lower harvest limit from 18 inches due to the apparent stability of the striped bass population.

In a presentation during public comment, CDFW fisheries biologist Brad Cavallo explained that the agency has little credible data on the striped bass population. “We don’t know how many there are. We don’t have good estimates for the size of this population. We haven’t for quite a while,” said Cavallo. He added that striped bass may have a negative impact on salmon populations, citing studies connecting striped bass with salmon predation, and low salmon survival rate data (around 10%) juxtaposed against a good striped bass season based on anecdotal reports. Cavallo argued that the idea of protecting larger, mature striped bass has merit, but that the maximum size restriction is an incomplete mechanism and should not be adopted as proposed.

Dr. David Ostrach, founder of the UC Davis Population Biology Laboratory and science advisor for several fishing organizations, countered, saying, “There is no credible scientific evidence that predation in general or predation by striped bass is affecting populations of any listed species.” Ostrach says that striped bass over 30 inches comprise about 5% of the total population, “which is significantly lower than in the past.” Ostrach urged the Commission to take action to protect an important recreational species he believes is in steep decline.

CDFW Director Chuck Bonham weighed in before commissioners voted, saying that the Department could support either decision. “I think you have a divided commission, not divided in the sense of fighting, but rather it’s a complicated decision where it feels like many are making good faith arguments from either perspective, and you’re trying to factor that in,” said Bonham. He also backed up the idea that striped bass affect the salmon population: “Striped bass eat salmon. Is it the single most important thing causing the decline? No. Is it a factor you gotta deal with? Absolutely.”

Ultimately, Commissioner Erik Sklar made a motion not to implement the limit, which Vice President Samantha Murray seconded. Sklar, Murray, and President Erika Zavaleta voted in favor of the motion. Commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin and Darius W. Anderson voted against.