Notes About Fishing in Redwood Shores

The Redwood City Police Department frequently recieves calls for service as well as expressions of concern from residents about fishing and, more particularly, commercial trapping, in the Redwood Shores area. In an effort to help everyone better understand the legalities of fishing and trapping in the Shores, RCPD provided this information on what is and is not allowed on Shores lands.

Generally speaking, fishing and trapping in Redwood Shores lagoon waterways is legal, but accessing the lagoon by means of trespassing through private property (including apartment complex walkways, parking lots, and shorelines) is not legal. Because much of the Redwood Shores lagoon is bordered by private property or city park lands, those planning to fish or trap here will find many areas of Redwood Shores off-limits without specific permission, even though the lagoon waterway itself technically allows fishing. Hopefully the following information helps clear up some common misconceptions.

Fish and Game Code 7145(a) allows anyone, over the age of 16 years, to fish with a standard recreational fishing license in any waterway that is open to the public.

Fish and Game Code 7850(a) allows commercial fishing and trapping with a commercial license.

Trapping and fishing is allowed in Redwood Shores Lagoons subject to the following restrictions:

• Trapping and Fishing is Not Allowed when Accessed from Private Property Without the Owner’s Permission. Most of the Redwood Shores Lagoon borders HOA-owned private property or individual private property. The shoreline along the HOA rockbeds is considered HOA private property. Fishing from these areas without permission is trespassing.
• Trespassing on HOA Property to Fish or Trap – Penal Code section 602 (Trespassing) requires that officers, acting upon the behalf of the Owner/Owner’s Agent, give trespassers an opportunity to leave prior to taking any enforcement action. Police are able to issue a “No Trespass Warning Notice”, which is valid for 30 days. To issue this specific warning, it is not enough to call the police, even if the caller is a resident of that communal property; there must be an HOA Board Member or designated security officer on scene who can sign the warning notice or make a citizen’s arrest for trespassing. It is recommended that HOA residents keep contact information handy for their security officer or HOA Board Members, so that the proper chain of process can be followed if there is a violation to report. If the previously-warned trespasser(s) returns within the 30-day warning period, officers can make an arrest based on the previously signed notice without an HOA representative present.
  We recommend HOA’s that have lagoons on their properties have a representative or security company be aware that they may be called when there is a trespasser on HOA property. This assigned person will work with the police to sign the warning notice.
• Trespassing on Individual Residential Property – Crossing a resident’s own property without permission is trespassing. Individual homeowners can request a responding officer complete a “No Trespassing Notification” or make a citizen’s arrest involving persons refusing to leave their own specific private property.
• Fishing or Trapping from a Park – Fishing or trapping from any Redwood City Park is illegal. The individual can be cited for Redwood City Ordinance 25.2.02E (prohibited acts: No fishing). Fishermen can also be cited for being in a designated city park between sunset and sunrise, when the parks are closed (Redwood City Ordinance 25.2.01B).
• Where is Fishing or Trapping Legal? There are specific Redwood Shores lagoon areas which boarder city-owned property that are also not designated a City Park. In these areas, fishing and trapping are allowed. An accurate map of these locations is in the works with the Redwood City Police Department.

Additional Information: If you contact the police to report a potential violation, it’s best to report trespassing. Because fishing is allowed in the lagoon if you do not access the lagoon by foot, such as with a boat. You, as full time residents, always have more knowledge of what is going on in your neighborhoods more than the responding officers. Posting proper signage on HOA property can assist in both prevention and the enforcement of applicable laws. An example of appropriate signage would be the large blue and white “No Trespassing and No Fishing” sign located in the common area at the north east corner of The Shore at California Bayside HOA, on Shearwater Parkway. The Parks and Recreations Department is also working to ensure that all city parks have proper signage posted for appropriate enforcement.

RCPD is committed to ensuring compliance with the law and providing local fishermen and residents with correct information, and the PD has consulted with the California Department of Fish and Game for assistance in the preparation of this notice. Residents are encouraged to know the best methods of reaching their local law enforcement services. Report emergency incidents by dialing 911. Report non-emergency incidents by dialing the police non-emergency line at (650) 780-7100.