Chico Municipal Code Art. VI Rules for Waterways

A. Big Chico Creek, as it travels through Bidwell Park, is primarily dedicated to the uses of swimming, bathing, or otherwise playing in the waters. No person shall place, use or operate any nonmanually-powered boat, watercraft, or other floatation device in Big Chico Creek. No person shall place, use or operate any manually-powered boat, watercraft, or other floatation device in Big Chico Creek except as provided in subsection B.

B. The following boats, watercrafts, or other floatation devices shall be permitted:

i. Pneumatically-inflated air mattresses, tubes, and other floatation devices used primarily in aid of swimming, bathing, or otherwise playing in the waters;

ii. Kayaks, whitewater rafts, and whitewater canoes during the period of November 1 through April 30; and

iii. Any other boat, watercraft, or other floatation device, after receiving the written permission of the park director.

(Ord. 2556; Ord. 2557)

No person shall make any use of that portion of Big Chico Creek and its adjacent banks which lies within 200 yards upstream of the footbridge located in the municipal golf course except that kayaks, whitewater rafts, and whitewater canoes may use this portion of Big Chico Creek during the period of November 1 through April 30. Uses of such area which are incidental to the use of the municipal golf course are excluded from the prohibition of this regulation.

(Ord. 2556; Ord. 2557)

No person shall place, use or operate any motorboat, or other motorized equipment in or upon the reservoir in Bidwell Park, commonly known as Horseshoe Lake, except with written permission of the director.

(Ord. 2556; Ord. 2557)

Fishing in the reservoir in Bidwell Park, commonly known as Horseshoe Lake, shall be allowed only as follows:

A. Children 14 years of age and younger may catch and keep fish in accordance with the rules and regulations of the state of California Department of Fish and Game.

B. Persons over the age of 14 years may fish in Horseshoe Lake only on a catch-and-release basis.

(Ord. 2556; Ord. 2557)

A. No person shall contaminate or pollute, or cause to be contaminated or polluted, any water of any creek flowing through or any reservoir located within any park in the city, or deposit or cause to be deposited any refuse, rubbish or other waste matter of any kind or character, in such waters, or wash or clean automobiles or other vehicles in the waters of any creek or reservoir.

B. No person shall construct a dam, or otherwise obstruct or divert, any creek flowing through any park in the city.

(Ord. 2556; Ord. 2557)

Fishing from any bridge over Big Chico Creek or the bank of any swimming pool or area in Bidwell Park is prohibited.

(Ord. 2556; Ord. 2557)