Overview
As of January 1, 2010, the Bay Delta Stamp is no longer required for anglers in the Delta. Money collected in past years will still be used to fund projects benefitting sport fishing within the Delta boundaries.
The Bay-Delta Sport Fishing Enhancement Stamp (BDSFES) Program was established in 2004 to benefit Bay-Delta sport fisheries. Exhisting law requires a person to first obtain a BDSFES before sport fishing in the tidal waters of the San Francisco Bay Delta and the mainstem of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, including major tributaries, below the most downstream dam.
The BDSFES Program has authority to spend approximately $1 million a year on projects that benefit sport fish populations, sport fishing opportunities, and anglers within the stamp's geographic range. The Department of Fish and Game solicits proejcts for funding annually through the Proposal Solicitation Notice process. The BDSFES Program has funded a wide range of projects including warden overtime for sturgeon poaching, salmon acclimation, sturgeon forensics, fishing access facility improvements, salmon spawning habitat restoration, salmon escapement monitoring, angler surveys, fish tagging programs, and more. For a complete list of stamp-funded projects click on the Funded Projects link at the top of the page. For more information on the BDSFES Program and funding opportunities, please contact Karen Mitchell by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at (916)445-0826.
FUNDING
The stamp costs $6.30 annually. Fees received by the Department are deposited into a separate account within the Fish and Game Preservation Fund.
PURPOSE
The Department will spend the funds to benefit sport fish populations, sport fishing opportunities, and anglers within the stamp's geographic range. In addition, funds will be used for the long-term, sustainable benefit of the primary Bay-Delta sport fisheries including, but not limited to, striped bass, sturgeon, black bass, halibut, salmon, surf perch, steelhead trout, and American shad.
Expenditures will be consistent with state and federal Endangered Species Act requirements and applicable commission policies.
THE COMMITTEE
The Director will appoint a nine-member advisory committee and they will serve at the Director's discretion for terms not more than four years. The Director will appoint people who will be able to balance the perspectives of different anglers.
The advisory committee will recommend projects and budgets for the expenditure of BDSFES revenue. The Department will give full consideration to the committee's recommendations.
TERM
This stamp remains in effect until January 1, 2010.
