Fishing in California
Lakes, streams, the Delta, bays and license-free piers, with CDFW limits by district and ocean area.
- 1,501lakes
- 263streams
- 129public piers
Photo of Lake Tahoe: Artur Westergren ampedimagery, CC0 1.0
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Fishing in California by topic
Lakes
1,501 lakes with CDFW notes
OpenCoast
49 bays and harbors
OpenRivers
263 streams with flow and seasons
OpenThe Delta
Launches by channel
OpenPiers
License-free public piers
OpenBoat ramps
Launches by county
OpenLicense and limits
Fees, districts and ocean areas
OpenSpecies
172 fish with limits
OpenReservoir levels
CDEC storage and elevation
OpenTournaments
Bass events and results
OpenState records
Angling and diving records
OpenTrout stocking
Weekly CDFW plants
OpenBait shops
Tackle by CDFW region
OpenGuides and charters
Landings and river guides
OpenMarine protected areas
Where take is limited
OpenArtificial reefs
CDFW reef projects
OpenCounties
All 58 counties
OpenTowns
379 towns
OpenCalifornia lakes over 100 acres and coastal bays
Large dots are lakes; small dots are bays and harbors.
What the California section covers
California pages cover 1,501 lakes and reservoirs with CDFW entries, 263 rivers and creeks, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, 49 bays and harbors, 1,343 public launches and 129 license-free public piers.
The state record largemouth bass weighed 21 lbs., 12 oz., caught at Castaic Lake at the main boat ramp in 1991. CDFW splits the coast into five groundfish management areas and the inland waters into seven sport fishing districts, so every page names the rules that apply to it.
California fishing questions
How many California lakes have a page here?
1,501 lakes, reservoirs and ponds with a CDFW Fishing Guide entry or a public launch.
What is the largest lake in California?
Lake Tahoe by surface area on the CDFW list; Shasta Lake is the largest reservoir by storage.
What is the California state record bass?
21 lbs., 12 oz. from Castaic Lake at the main boat ramp, 1991.
How much is a California fishing license?
$64.54 for residents and $174.14 for nonresidents in 2026.
Where can I fish without a license in California?
On any of the 129 CDFW public piers, and anywhere on the two free fishing days.
How do I find fishing near me in California?
Type a lake, county or town into the California finder at the top, or open the towns list.
Why do ocean limits change along the coast?
CDFW sets groundfish seasons by management area, from Northern to Southern.
Where are California bass tournaments held?
Mostly on the Delta, Clear Lake, Don Pedro and Lake McClure; see the tournaments page.
Are Texas and Florida covered too?
Yes, each has its own section on this site.
Pick a lake, stream, bay or pier
Each page lists launches, limits and what CDFW says about the water.