The "California Fishing Passport" program, introduced by the Department of Fish and Game, will offer awards, prizes and other incentives to encourage anglers of all skill levels to explore California's full range of fishing opportunities.

Set to kick off on Sat., June 10, the program contains a list of all game fish in California waters, including more than 40 species of freshwater sportfish, 150 species of saltwater game fish and a handful of shellfish species. Anglers will receive stamps on their passports when they fish a wide variety of California's waters, from lakes to rivers and streams, to coastal kelp beds.

The department's initial sponsors and partners in the program are the United Anglers of Southern California, West Marine, Berkley Fishing, and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.

With 1,100 miles of ocean coastline, 4,175 lakes and reservoirs, 29,700 miles of streams and rivers and 1,800 miles of bay and delta waters, California has more fishing opportunities than any other state in the country. In 2003, sport fishing contributed more than $9 billion to California's economy.

Additional information on the program will be announced in the upcoming months and posted online at www.dfg.ca.gov.

This story provided by StatePoint Media.