The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has released its September calendar of activities, from informational hikes to the start of hunting season for certain types of game.
As a reminder, officials note that all calendar items are subject to change. Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
Various Days
Kokanee salmon at Stampede Reservoir, CA-89, Truckee. In May 2025, 50,000 kokanee fingerlings with clipped adipose fins were released into Stampede Reservoir. Anglers who catch kokanee from now through 2028 are encouraged to report their catch, whether the fish has a clipped fin or not. Your reports help CDFW understand how stocking contributes to the kokanee fishery. For more information, visit CDFW’s Fishing for Kokanee page or contact rachel.fichman@wildlife.ca.gov.
General bear season opening in select deer zones. General black bear season will open concurrently with the general deer hunting season in deer zones A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10 and X12 and extend through Dec. 27. Please note these deer zones have varying opening season dates. In the remaining deer X zones, the general bear season begins Oct. 10 and extends through Dec. 27. CDFW shall close the season earlier if 1,700 bears have been reported taken. The daily bag limit is one legal bear per day. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. Cubs and females accompanied by cubs may not be taken. For more information and daily updates on reported bear harvest, visit CDFW’s Bear Hunting page.
Saturdays and Sundays
Guided hike at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Join a guided hike with a naturalist and learn about the wildlife, plants, history and conservation of this beautiful landscape. Hikes are 1.5-2 miles and take approximately 90 minutes, adapted to the participants’ interests. No registration required. For more information, contact (831) 728-2822 or elkhornsloughed@cdfw.onmicrosoft.com.
September 5
Early Bird Hike at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Amateur and expert birders alike will find a place on the Early Bird Hike. Join an early morning guided hike with an expert local birder and learn about the species that live in or migrate through the diverse habitats of this watershed. Hikes are 2-3 miles and take approximately three hours, adapted to the participants’ interests. Check in at the Visitor Center for this free activity. No registration is required – the tour is filled on a first-come, first-served basis up to a capacity of 18. For more information, visit the Elkhorn Slough Calendar page.
California Biodiversity Day Kickoff, 9 a.m. to noon, Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park, 9980 Greenback Lane, Folsom. Come join this kickoff event for California Biodiversity Day, where you can learn more about California’s amazing biodiversity while helping to preserve local flora and fauna. The event starts with tabling from community and naturalist groups who will share their expertise on nature, ecology and public service. Afterwards, attendees will break into groups to embark on a biodiversity walk (also known as a bioblitz) to observe the various plant and animal species around the park, utilizing the iNaturalist app to track what we observe and help scientists learn more about the ecology of the area. We will teach you how to use this free app before heading out but recommend downloading it before the event. Parking is available onsite ($6/hour or $10 day pass) and in nearby public parking lots. This event is free and open to all ages, but please leave your canine companions at home. Contact laura.drath@wildlife.ca.gov or folsomlake@ports-ca.gov for more information.
Mobile Visitor Center pop-up at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 45211 County Road 32B, Parking Lot A, Davis. Yolo Basin Foundation’s Mobile Visitor Center is your hub of information for all things related to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and local wildlife. Grab a map, meet friendly volunteer ambassadors, take a selfie with their colorful van and learn more about wetland species.
September 5-13
California Biodiversity Day Celebrations
California Biodiversity Day takes place on September 7 of each year and celebrates the state’s exceptional biodiversity while also encouraging actions to protect it. CDFW and partner organizations are hosting activities statewide throughout the week of September 5-13. For a list of events and volunteer opportunities, visit the California Biodiversity Day page. One easy way to get involved is to join the Find 30 Species project. Find and document 30 wild species anywhere in California September 5-13 and submit your observations through iNaturalist. Tag your adventures and follow along on social media at #CABiodiversityDay. For more information, contact californiabiodiversityday@wildlife.ca.gov.
September 10
California Fish and Game Commission Wildlife Resources committee meeting, 9 a.m., Natural Resources Headquarters Building, Second Floor, 715 P St., Sacramento. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit the FGC website.
Teach About Bats Webinar, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., via Zoom. Join staff from Project WILD, Bat Conservation International and CDFW to learn about the importance of bats, stewardship efforts that students and teachers can take to help bats, and resources for teaching about bats. The only mammals that truly fly, bats navigate the night with extraordinary echolocation and play vital roles in keeping ecosystems healthy. When students learn about bats, they discover how misunderstood animals can be heroes of our forests, farms and communities. An on-demand recording of the webinar will be available through October 2026 to anyone who registers. Visit the Zoom registration page to sign up.
September 12
Dive Into Salmon & Steelhead: Nimbus Fish Hatchery Public Tour, 11 a.m. to noon, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for a free, family-friendly, guided tour to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River on the second Saturday of each month. Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants may see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. Registration is not required. For more information, contact molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
Tree squirrel general season opens (extending through Jan. 31, 2027). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit the Small Game Mammal Hunting page.
Mountain quail general season opens in zone Q1 (extending through Oct. 16).
Sooty (Blue)/ruffed grouse general season opens (extending through Oct. 12).
White-tailed ptarmigan general and archery seasons open (extending through Sept. 20).
For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit the Upland Game Bird Hunting page.
September 13
California Biodiversity Day: Bird Walk at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Herons, woodpeckers, and finches, oh my! Join a CDFW Naturalist for a stroll along the American River to look for the wide diversity of birds around the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. Binoculars will be available to borrow if you don’t have your own. This event is part of a series of events celebrating California Biodiversity Day. Registration is not required. For more information, contact molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
Bat Chat for California Biodiversity Day, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center, 13501 Franklin Blvd., Walnut Grove. Join us at the Cosumnes River Preserve for an evening to learn all about bats. Discover the important role these fascinating creatures play in our ecosystem. From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., there will be a Bat Discovery Festival with educational booths, exhibits and family activities. Then from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., there will be a Bat Walk with guides and bat detectors. This family-friendly event is a great way to learn about these important and fascinating nighttime creatures! Bring a headlamp, walking shoes, water, snacks and clothing needed to be outside at sunset. To register, visit the sign up page. For more information, visit the Cosumnes River Preserve website.
September 17
General snipe season opens statewide (extending through Jan. 31, 2027). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit the Upland Game Bird Hunting page.
September 19
Band-tailed pigeon season opens in the north zone (extending through Sept. 27). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit the Upland Game Bird Hunting page.
General deer season opens in zones B1-3, B5, B6, C1-4, D6, D7, X9a, X9b and X12. Hunters should check for area closures and restrictions before heading to their destination. For information on land closures, contact the agency in charge of the hunting grounds. More information about general deer season opener dates, end dates and additional hunts is available on CDFW’s Deer Hunting page. Please remember to report deer tags. All deer tags purchased, whether used for a hunt or not, must be reported. Successful hunters must report their tags within 30 days of their successful hunt or by Jan. 31, 2027, whichever is first. Hunters who are unsuccessful or who do not hunt are also required to report by Jan. 31, 2027. Visit CDFW’s Online License Sales page for information on reporting. Hunters are reminded that as of July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife for any purpose in California.
September 19-20
Youth waterfowl hunt days for northeastern California zone. To participate, hunters must be 17 years of age or younger and be accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 years of age or older. People should contact the wildlife area or national wildlife refuge they wish to hunt for details. For more information, visit the Waterfowl Hunting page.
September 20
Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for Tot Time every third Sunday of the month at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to create fun crafts. Recommended for children ages 2-7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
September 26
General deer season opens in zones D3-5, D8-10, X8 and X10. More information about general deer season opener dates, end dates and additional hunts is available on CDFW’s Deer Hunting page.
Fishing in the City: Brannan Island State Recreation Area, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Highway 160 south of Rio Vista. This Fishing in the City event in partnership with State Parks introduces youth ages 5-15 and adults 16 and up to fishing in the channels and sloughs of the Delta. Learn what to fish here and how to fish along a bank or pier through local fish identification, fishing ethics, equipment needed, rigging, knot tying, baiting and casting a fishing rod, and hopefully landing a catch. Meet at the wooden pier towards the back of the park. Continue straight upon entering, drive straight past the boat launch until the parking lot ends with the wooden pier on your right before a roundabout. Participants ages 16 and up require a fishing license, which can be purchased at CDFW’s Online License Sales page. Some fishing poles will be available for loan during the event or participants can bring their own. The event is first come, first served. For questions, please email sabreena.britt@wildlife.ca.gov.
Mindfulness Hike at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Treat yourself to an outer and inner exploration on a two-hour walk to open the senses. Experience the different habitats and their varying cycles in this amazing place which many species call home. The tour is two hours and covers about two miles of easy-moderate grade trail. Check in at the Visitor Center for this free activity. No registration is required. For more information, visit the Elkhorn Slough Calendar page.
Quail general season opens for all quail species in zone Q2 (extending through Jan. 31, 2027). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit the Upland Game Bird Hunting page.
Oroville Salmon Festival, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feather River Fish Hatchery, 5 Table Mountain Blvd., Oroville, and in downtown Oroville. The event will feature tours to view salmon spawning, information booths, educational displays and vendor booths. For more information, visit the Oroville Salmon Festival web page.
