If there are problems in a thread, one should fix them. This will make sure that those wishing to educate themselves get the most correct information.
The following is directly from the 2008-2009 California freshwater sportfishing regulations guide.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/08-09-inland-fish-regs.pdf
"5.05. Amphibians.
(a) Only the following amphibians may be taken
under the authority of a sportfishing license,
subject to the restrictions in this section. No
amphibians may be taken from ecological
reserves designated by the commission in
Section 630 or from state parks, or national
parks or monuments.
(1) Pacific giant salamander (Dicamptodon
tenebrosus)
(2) California giant salamander (Dicamptodon
ensatus)
(3) Southern Seep (Torrent) Salamander
(Rhyacotriton variegatus) (4) Rough-skinned newt (Taricha
granulosa)
(5) California newt (Taricha torosa)
(6) Red-bellied newt (Taricha rivularis)
(7) Northwestern salamander (Ambystoma
gracile)
(8) Long-toed salamander (Ambystoma
macrodactylum), except Santa Cruz long-toed
salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum
croceum)
( 9) Black salamander (Aneides
flavipunctatus)
( 10) Clouded salamander (Aneides
ferreus) ( 11) Arboreal salamander (Aneides
lugubris)
( 12) California slender salamander
(Batrachoseps attenuatus): See Special
Closure (f)( 1)
( 13 ) Pacific slender salamander
(Batrachoseps pacificus): See Special
Closure (f)( ( 14) Relictual slender salamander
(Batrachoseps relictus): See Special Closure
(f)( 1)
( 15) Dunn’s salamander (Plethodon dunni)
( 16) Ensatina salamander (Ensatina
eschscholtzii)
( 17) Western toad (Bufo boreas)
( 18) Woodhouse’s toad (Bufo woodhouseii)
( 19) Red-spotted toad (Bufo punctatus)
(20) Great Plains toad (Bufo cognatus)
(21) Great Basin spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus
(Spea) intermontana)
(22) Couch’s spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus
(Spea) couchii)
(23) California chorus frog (Hyla (Pseudacris)
cadaverina)
(24) Pacific chorus frog (Hyla (Pseudacris)
regilla)
(25) Northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens)
(26) Southern leopard frog (Rana
yutricularia)
(27) Rio Grande leopard frog (Rana
berlandieri)
(28) Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
(b) Open season: All year. The season closures
in Chapter 3 (District Trout and Salmon District
General Regulations and Special Regulations)
do not apply to fishing for amphibians with
methods other than hook and line (see sections
7.00 and 7.50(a)(2)).
(c) Limit: The daily bag and possession limit
for each of the amphibian species listed
in subsection (a), above, is four except for
bullfrogs, which have no daily bag or possession
limit.
(d) Hours: Amphibians may be taken at any
time of day or night.
(e) Methods of take:
( 1) Amphibians may be taken only by hand,
hand-held dip net, or hook and line, except
bullfrogs may also be taken by lights, spears,
gigs, grabs, paddles, bow and arrow, or
fishing tackle.
(2) It is unlawful to use any method or means
of collecting that involves breaking apart of
rocks, granite flakes, logs, or other shelters in
or under which amphibians may be found.
(f) Special closures:
( 1) No slender salamanders (Batrachoseps
spp.) may be taken from Inyo and Mono
counties and from the Santa Rosa Mountains,
Riverside County."
The following is can be seen here: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/pdffiles/fg1518.pdf
"California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Excerpts
§671. Importation, Transportation and Possession of
Live Restricted Animals.
(a) It shall be unlawful to import, transport, or possess
alive animals restricted in subsection (c) below except under
permit issued by the Department of Fish and Game. Permits
may be issued by the department as specified herein and for
purposes designated in Section 671.1 subject to the conditions
and restrictions designated by the department. Except
for mammals listed in Fish and Game Code Section 3950 or
live aquatic animals requiring a permit pursuant to Fish and
Game Code Section 2271, no permit is required by this section
for any animal being imported, transported, or possessed
pursuant to any other permit issued by the department. Cities
and counties may also possession or require a permit for these
and any other species not requiring a state permit.
(b) The commission has determined the below listed animals
are not normally domesticated in this state. Mammals
listed to prevent the depletion of wild populations and to provide
for animal welfare are termed “welfare animals”, and are
designated by the letter “W”. Those species listed because
they pose a threat to native wildlife, the agriculture interests of
the state or to public health or safety are termed “detrimental
animals” and are designated by the letter “D”. The department
shall include the list of welfare and detrimental wild animals
as part of DFG MANUAL NO. 671 IMPORTATION, TRANSPORTATION
AND POSSESSION OF RESTRICTED SPECIES,
to be made available to all permittees and other interested
individuals.
(c) Restricted species include:
...
(3) Class Amphibia-Frogs, Toads, Salamanders
(A) Family Bufonidae-Toads Bufo marinus, Bufo paracnemis,
Bufo horribilis (Giant toad or marine toad
group) and all other large toads from Mexico and Central
and South America (D).
(B) Family Pipidae-Tongueless Toads
All species of the Genus Xenopus (D).
(C) Family Ambystomatidae-Mole Salamanders
All species of the genus Ambystoma (tiger
salamanders)"
However, there is a bill that is currently trying to get passed in the CA senate that would do away with these restrictions. More information about thispiece of legislation can be found here:
http://www.pijac.org/files/public/CA_SB_1424.pdf
I have yet to see any official information about manipulation in the wild for photography.
Hopefully, that will give more clarity to this issue.