Bowfishing in Pleasanton "ditches"

[Epaphroditus]

Sure DFG would be more relevant for some answers but pretty sure Pleasanton PD would be the first contact ...

Daughter really wants to go bowfishing and I routinely see giant carp in those ditches that are all over town. Can't seem to find out if fishing generally is permitted in those ditches or bowfishing for that matter. I'm not even sure what those ditches are ...

Sure would be fun to go bowfishing and bag some of those big carp .. anyone know if that is allowed in those ditches in Pleasanton? Primarily there is a big one that runs parallel to the 680 and intersects another one that runs parallel to Las Positas blvd (that's where I see the big ones swimming around).

Thanks

[IrishJoe3]

No idea...but sounds like fun!

[yoteassasin]

The ditch is off limits to travel for safety reasons from what I remember . Buy I say give it a shot but you might get a stink eye and a trespass order. We shoot them al the Tim in Brentwood in the residential areas cops stop and think its cool

[P5Ret]

I'm thinking the Vector control people might have an issue with it. I think they put the fish in there to help with mosquito control.

[Epaphroditus]

A bit more detail on location ...

The canal that parallels hwy 680 is the Arroyo de la Laguna and is part of the south San Ramon creek.
The canal that parallels Las Positas blvd is Arroyo Mocho canal/creek.

From here
"The project area is more specifically located in the 388-square mile Livermore Basin within the larger Alameda Creek drainage. The major streams in this drainage unit are Arroyo Valle, Arroyo Las Positas, Arroyo Mocho, Alamo Canal, and South San Ramon and Tassajara Creeks. Smaller creeks of the Livermore Basin include Alamo, Cottonwood, Collier Canyon, Cayetano, Altamont, Arroyo Seco,and Dry Creek"

And here is a decent map in pdf

[Epaphroditus]

Hmmm, Alameda Creek and its tributaries closed to fishing all season F&G code 7.50(b)(1.5)(A). Except a tiny stretch that is catch and release only. I think the whole Livermore/trivalley watershed feeds into Alameda Creek so it is all tributaries!

Also code section 5.37 No grass Carp may be taken - I don't know what kind of carp those are but it could well be planted Grass Carp for vegetation control.

Looks like no bowfishing ....

And another thing/rant ... there are maintained hiking/walking trails all along there with fences and entry points with signage everywhere but not a single "No Fishing" sign to be seen.

[duckhunterflyfisher]

As a kid 30+ years ago we fished those and got busted by CDFG. Spent some time picking trash up on Mt. Diablo. Were told back then the canals were technically a waterway connected to the SF Bay....and therefore under the jurisdiction DFG. There is also a creek up in Concord by the airport near the mall that has annual runs of Salmon in it...Also a NO NO but people still get in there an snag them illegally. I would say do not fish either...

I think it also subject to private property laws too...so there is a host of issues being in there as an adult. It doubtful one of the less than 40 DFG officers would see you doing it but i am guessing local LEOs would have no issue handing you a citation for trespassing. There things we did as kids we cant do as adults...We used to fish all the reservoirs that were off limits to the public as kids...Got to clean Mt. Diablo a few times...as a kid...as a resort.

[Caddis]

If it's not posted with regulatory "no trespassing" or "no fishing" signage you cannot be ticketed but may be asked to leave by an agent of the property or a government official if it's public property. Knowing fish and game laws regarding rules and regs does not have to be posted as it is your responsibility to know fishing laws per the F & G code.