Hey D,Right Now is The Very Best time,as Most of the canals are Empty or Very Low around Farms,at least in the Bakersfield-Kern/Tulare County area.I know you want to test the survival aspect of catching them,However If you get the hankerin' for more than a Handful,Get your MuckBoots,Gloves,Gunneysacks&Friends,& Hit the Irrigation canals,They are at their lowest point,The muck/mud will be about 2 feet deep,It's also a real good Time of year for Froggin'at night.Frogs have the Red eyes,Toads have the yellow eyes, Toads are poisonous. Good Luck!