There are a number of items on the July calendar through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, CDFW, including one-time and ongoing activities.
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires, flooding or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip and are reminded that all calendar events are subject to change.
Various Days
Bat Talk and Tour, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis. Did you know that colonies of migratory bats live under the Yolo Causeway during the summer? Join Yolo Basin Foundation for a summertime Bat Talk and Tour event and learn all about these amazing and beneficial mammals. Following a presentation featuring live native bats, guests will enjoy a guided caravan tour through portions of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area using walkie-talkies to learn about the history and management of the area, rice farming practices and the diverse wildlife and plants that thrive in this unique habitat. As sunset approaches, gather to witness one of California’s largest bat colonies emerge from beneath the Yolo Causeway to feed over the wetlands and agricultural fields. This year, the Yolo Basin Foundation will introduce a new addition to the program — the Mobile Visitor Center. The Mobile Visitor Center will accompany most tours and features a large monitor and SonoBat software, allowing guests to hear bat echolocation calls and watch visual displays of the bats’ activity in real time as they fly overhead. For more information and to register, visit the Bat Talk and Tour page.
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.
July 4
Free Fishing Day. One of two Free Fishing Days being offered by CDFW in 2026 is scheduled July 4; the other is Sept. 5. While all fishing regulations — such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures — remain in effect, anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license on Free Fishing Days. Every angler must have the appropriate report card if they are fishing for steelhead or sturgeon. For more information, visit CDFW’s Free Fishing Days page.
July 5
City of Davis Wetlands Tour, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 45400 County Road 28H, Woodland. The City of Davis Wetlands tours are hosted by the Yolo Basin Foundation on the first Sunday of the month at the City of Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant. These tours offer a refreshing outdoor experience to learn about local wetlands, native fauna and flora, and the importance of these biodiverse ecosystems. There is no access to restrooms in the City of Davis Wetlands. To register, visit the Wetlands Tours page.
July 10
The 2026 Game Fish Contest initial offering (North). The Northern initial offering for Black Bass ‘Type A’ game fish contests will be held on July 10 at the CDFW office in West Sacramento. For more information, visit the CDFW Fishing Contests, Tournaments and Derbies page.
July 11
Los Banos Wildlife Area complex hunt blind brush-up volunteer day, 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are invited to help prepare waterfowl hunting blinds at the Los Banos Wildlife Area and Gadwall Unit for the upcoming season. Work will primarily consist of camouflaging stand-up blinds by cutting and bundling tules, plus cleaning pit blinds. Be prepared for sun and heat, insects and other creepy crawlies. To help at the Los Banos Wildlife Area, meet in the main parking lot at 18110 Henry Miller Road. To help at the Gadwall Unit, meet at parking lot D off Highway 152 and Santa Fe Grade. Registration is required. For more information and to sign up, email losbanoswa@wildlife.ca.gov or call 209-826-0463.
July 16
California Fish and Game Commission Marine Resources committee meeting, 9 a.m. The meeting will be conducted via teleconference with an option to participate in person at the California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, Second Floor, 715 P St., Sacramento. For more information, visit the FGC website.
Imperial and San Jacinto Wildlife Area hunting program outreach meeting, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., via Microsoft Teams. CDFW will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding hunting programs on the Imperial and San Jacinto wildlife areas. CDFW and partners will provide updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands and hunting access opportunities. CDFW annually provides an opportunity for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on public hunting programs, including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas through public meetings and outreach. A wildlife area designated as Type A is a wildlife area with restricted hunter access during waterfowl season. Join the meeting via Microsoft Teams or dial in by phone at 916-535-0984, conference ID 688411317#. If you are unable to attend, email imperialwla@wildlife.ca.gov to submit comments and questions.
July 25
Learn to Fish at Brannan Island, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brannan Island State Recreation Area, Highway 160 south of Rio Vista. Join State Parks and CDFW at this Learn to Fish/Fishing in the City Program event at Brannan Island SRA. All ages are welcome, but ages 16 and over must present a valid fishing license. After arriving, drive straight back to the roundabout dead-end by the wooden pier and meet at the Picnic Area. For more information, visit the Brannan Island SRA page.
