What are the bag limits for waters that have special regulations for trout? In some cases, specifically the middle fork of the Stanislaus River, the river is broken into sections.

Modesto-area fishing report

An old Christmas carol was on my mind during last week's visit to the San Joaquin National Wildlife Refuge. From the viewing platform on Beckwith Road, I saw an amazing show of Aleutian cackling geese and Ross' geese.

Question: My buddies and I fish for rockfish out of Pillar Point Harbor and are very careful about following the rules. We usually return with legal limits. However, on occasion one or more of my friends decides not to take their entire catch home. When that happens I might leave the marina parking lot with my 10 fish plus the additional fish caught by other licensed fishers. I'm thinking that since we caught them legally and returned to the dock legally, we are OK. Am I right?

Fishing Report (12/28/11)

Ski Report for December 23, 2011

Question: I live in Stallion Springs, a rural community about 15 miles west of Tehachapi, and we have bands of elk that roam in the neighborhood. They move freely between the huge Tejon Ranch and the neighboring Bear Valley Springs community.

Here's a look at what's biting, and what's not, in the Central Valley and Northern California. Fishing report for December 21, 2011.

Badger Pass at Yosemite National Park sparkles in winter, or summer, or any time of year. Its majesty in cold weather, however, borders close to Shangri La, especially when it's blanketed with snow.

For years, the Homewood Mountain Resort offered skiers and snowboarders both glorious views of Lake Tahoe and an unpretentious setting popular with locals.

Tahoe Donner: Getting There: Donner Pass Road off I-80. Drive time 3:15.

Choosing a destination for your first ski trip of the season? Comparing lift-ticket prices at various resorts? Seeking more information on various Web sites? The ski/snowboard and cross-country skiing charts, covering every resort in Northern and Central California, are handy references to answer all questions.

Question: A recent innovation on the pro bass-fishing trail is something called the "Alabama Rig," which is similar to a hook setup called an "Umbrella Rig" by saltwater anglers. The Alabama Rig consists of five or six lures (usually plastic grubs or small swimbaits) radiating from a central attachment point by wires, imitating a school of baitfish. It looks similar to a "mobile" that you might suspend above a baby's crib.

Modesto, Northern San Joaquin Valley area fishing report for the week of December 14, 2011.

While shredders and snow angels alike wait on the Sierra's first bountiful storm, there's no mistaking the change in season.