California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Last Call for the 2026 Big Game Draw!

Today, June 2, at 11:59 p.m. is the deadline to apply for the 2026 Big Game Draw!

In addition to the possession of an annual hunting license, tags are required to hunt big game species (deer, bear, elk, pronghorn and bighorn sheep).

Apply for the Big Game Drawing online, at select CDFW license sales offices, license sales agents or by calling telephone sales at (800) 565-1458.

Seasons, tag drawing application instructions and drawing statistics can be found in the 2026 California Big Game Hunting Digest. https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=200602&inline

Where to buy your license:

Online sales portal: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales

CDFW license sales offices: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Organization/LRB

License sales agents: https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/landingsite/home?component=internetsales

This spring, more than 5,000 students representing 214 classrooms across California participated in the Classroom Aquarium Education Program’s new webinar series, “Go With the Flow: Explore Salmonids and Watershed Science.” This virtual series supports K–12 educators by directly connecting their students with CDFW wildlife interpreters, biologists and environmental scientists to learn about California’s native fish species and the habitats they depend on.

The five-part series introduced students to a wide range of fisheries and watershed topics, including fish anatomy, salmonid life cycles and migration, hatchery operations, watershed restoration, and careers in fisheries and environmental science. Programs also included a live fish dissection demonstration and discussions on CDFW science guides conservation and resource management across the state.

CDFW extends special appreciation to tribal partners from Save California Salmon and the Learning Support Services Team with Humboldt County Office of Education for hosting a program focused on the cultural importance of salmon, steelhead and trout for California Native peoples, and for sharing how traditional ecological knowledge supports the stewardship of rivers and aquatic ecosystems.

Please stay tuned for more live online presentations for California classrooms during the 2026-2027 school year!

To view recorded lessons or for more information about the Classroom Aquarium Education Program visit: www.wildlife.ca.gov/caep/webinars

Know your mackerel. Here are three easy ways to identify a jack mackerel versus a Pacific mackerel.

Pacific Mackerel (Scomber japonicus):
• Wavy lines on blue-green background
• Dorsal fins are widely separated
• Finlets present

Jack Mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus):
• Dark spot on gill cover
• Scutes along arched lateral line
• No finlets

The torpedo shape and finlets of the Pacific mackerel make it look like a tiny tuna. This is because Pacific mackerel are in the same family as tunas (Scombrid family). The jack mackerel is in a completely different family with jacks (Carangidae). Jacks and yellowtail are in the same family as the jack mackerel. If you think about it, knowing your mackerel is really just a matter of recognizing the difference between a jack and a tuna.

Illustration by CDFW Environmental Scientist Claudia Makeyev.

A tip from the public reporting poaching activity in San Luis Obispo County led to a trip to the county jail for one individual who was hunting out-of-season upland game birds.

On May 14, 2026, a wildlife officer responding to a tip located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop after observing a traffic violation.

During the stop, the officer observed an air rifle (an often-used method of take for poachers as it is quiet) and feathers inside the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed a hen turkey, a California quail and a mourning dove — all of which are not currently in season.

An investigation determined the suspect had unlawfully shot and killed all three birds. They were arrested and booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on multiple wildlife violations.

CDFW reminds the public that California’s wildlife belongs to all Californians. Wildlife laws and seasonal regulations are in place to protect these shared natural resources and ensure healthy, sustainable populations for future generations.

If you witness a poaching or polluting incident or any fish and wildlife violation, or have information about such a violation, call the toll-free CALTIP number 1 888 334-CALTIP (888 334-2258). And anyone with a cell phone may send an anonymous tip to CDFW by texting "CALTIP,” followed by a space and the message, to 847411 (tip411).

CDFW joined state and local agencies, partners, and restoration leaders at California Natural Resources Agency’s Roundtable on Restoration to explore how the Cutting the Green Tape tools are helping accelerate watershed-scale restoration projects in San Mateo County. The discussion highlighted recent restoration successes, ongoing challenges, and the critical role collaboration and partnerships play in increasing the pace and scale of environmental restoration.

California anglers now have a new way to stay informed this salmon season. CDFW has launched new online tools that help track ocean salmon harvest activity and provide updates throughout the season. These resources are designed to help anglers plan trips, stay informed about potential changes, and support sustainable fisheries management across the state. Check CDFW’s Ocean Salmon Fishery Information webpage for the latest updates before you head out on the water. Learn more: https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-releases-ocean-salmon-harvest-tracking-tools

Can you identify this saltwater fish species?

Hints: Off the California coast they are most common south of Point Conception in the summer months. All California bait fish species are on the menu for this striped pelagic predator. They live to be 20 years old. The reported maximum size is 14 ft. and 450 lbs. and the California fishing record was 339 lbs., taken off Catalina Island in 1985.

The striped marlin, scientific name Kajikia audax, is important to the recreational fishery in California and several annual tournaments are held in Southern California each year. Most effort for striped marlin is catch and release. Commercial marlin fishing is prohibited offshore California.

We are seeing a significant decline in western monarch butterfly populations. CDFW and partners are hard at work to help monarchs by implementing conservation priorities identified in a recent report from the Multiagency Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative. You can do your part by planting milkweed in your garden and purchasing plants not treated with pesticides. Check out FOX40’s recent story to learn more:

Inside efforts to save California's monarch butterflies A new report shows a roadmap to help save the western monarch butterfly.