California sport fishing license rules
Any person who is 16 years of age or older must have a sport fishing license to take any kind of fish, mollusk, invertebrate, amphibian or crustacean in California, except for persons angling from a public pier in ocean or bay waters. A sport fishing license is required to take reptiles, except for rattlesnakes. Anyone 16 years or older fishing anywhere in Lake Tahoe or Topaz Lake must possess either a California sport fishing license or a Nevada sport fishing license (Nevada also requires a trout stamp). In the Colorado River section on the California-Arizona border either a California or an Arizona license is accepted.
No license is required to fish from a public fishing pier in ocean waters (including San Francisco and San Pablo bays and sloughs/estuaries between the Golden Gate Bridge and the Benicia-Martinez Bridge). A public pier is a publicly owned man-made structure connected above mean high tide to the mainland or a named island, with unrestricted free public access, built or functioning primarily for angling access (T14 CCR §1.88). Publicly owned jetties or breakwaters forming the most seaward protective boundary of an ocean harbor also count. All other regulations apply, including size, bag limits,
CDFW licensing. Checked October 2026.
California fishing license fees for 2026
| License | Fee | Valid | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Sport Fishing License | $64.54 | 365 days from date of purchase | California resident 16 years of age or older |
| Nonresident Sport Fishing License | $174.14 | 365 days from date of purchase | Non-resident 16 years of age or older |
| One-Day Sport Fishing License | $21.09 | One specified day | Resident or nonresident |
| Two-Day Sport Fishing License | $32.4 | Two consecutive calendar days | Resident or nonresident |
| Ten-Day Nonresident Sport Fishing License | $64.54 | Ten consecutive calendar days | Nonresident |
| Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing License – Disabled Veteran | $10.54 | 365 days | Resident or nonresident honorably discharged veteran with a 50 percent or greater service-connected disability (prequalification required) |
| Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing License – Recovering Service Member | $10.54 | 365 days | Recovering service member of the US military (prequalification required) |
| Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing License – Low Income Senior | $10.04 | 365 days | California resident 65 or older receiving SSI or CAPI |
| Free Sport Fishing License – Low Income Native American | $0 | 365 days | Native American resident financially unable to pay the resident fee |
| Free Sport Fishing License – Mobility Impaired, Blind or Developmentally Disabled | $0 | 365 days | Person who is blind, developmentally disabled, or (resident) permanently mobility impaired |
| Lifetime Sport Fishing License – Ages 0-9 | $709 | Lifetime (license document issued annually) | California resident |
| Lifetime Sport Fishing License – Ages 10-39 | $1,160.25 | Lifetime | California resident |
| Lifetime Sport Fishing License – Ages 40-61 | $1,045 | Lifetime | California resident |
| Lifetime Sport Fishing License – Ages 62+ | $709 | Lifetime | California resident |
| Lifetime Fishing Privilege Package | $478.75 | Lifetime | Lifetime license holder |
| Duplicate Sport Fishing License | $14.3 | License holder |
Most fees include a 5% license agent handling fee and 3% nonrefundable application fee. CDFW does not accept cash at the License and Revenue Branch or regional license counters; cash is accepted by local license agents.
Report cards, validations and permits
| Item | Fee | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Rod Validation | $20.26 | 365 days | Allows a person to fish with two rods or lines in inland waters, except waters where only artificial lures or barbless hooks may be used. Not required in ocean |
| Ocean Enhancement Validation | $7.3 | 365 days | Required to fish in ocean waters south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County). Not required with a One or Two-Day license. Still in effect for 2026. |
| Recreational Crab Trap Validation | $2.98 | 365 days | Required for any person taking crabs with crab traps (CCR T14 §29.80(c)); not required for hoop nets or crab loop traps. From January 1, 2026 not required for a |
| North Coast Salmon Report Card | $9.21 | Calendar year | Required for any person taking salmon in the Smith River System or Klamath-Trinity River System (including anglers under 16 and on free fishing days). Report by |
| Steelhead Report Card | $10.29 | Calendar year | Required for any person taking steelhead in inland (anadromous) waters. Report by January 31. |
| Sturgeon Fishing Report Card (2026-2027 season) | $8.13 | October 1 – June 30 | Required for any person taking sturgeon; catch-and-release only. Available from August 15, 2026; report by July 31 after the season. The 2025-2026 card was $0.0 |
| Spiny Lobster Report Card | $12.7 | Lobster season | Required for all persons taking spiny lobster, including from public piers. $21.60 non-return fee if not reported by April 30. |
| Abalone Report Card | n/a | N/A – fishery is currently closed. | |
| Declaration for Multi-day Fishing Trip | $8.76 | Per trip | Listed under Other Permits in the 2026 fee table. |
| Duplicate Second-Rod or Ocean Enhancement Validation | $3.81 |
T14 CCR §1.74: report cards required regardless of license status for salmon in the anadromous waters of the Klamath, Trinity and Smith river basins, steelhead, white sturgeon, red abalone (closed) and California spiny lobster.
Required to fish in ocean waters south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County); not required under a One or Two-Day license.
Who fishes free or at a reduced fee
No license needed
- Persons under 16 years of age
- Persons angling from a public pier in ocean or bay waters (FGC §7153)
- Everyone on Free Fishing Days (July 4 and September 5, 2026)
- Persons taking rattlesnakes (no license required; bag limits apply)
Free or reduced-fee licenses
- Free license (application required): blind persons; developmentally disabled persons; residents permanently unable to move without a wheelchair, walker, forearm crutches or similar device; low-income Native American residents
- Reduced-fee license: disabled veterans (50%+ service-connected), recovering service members, low-income seniors 65+ on SSI/CAPI
The CDFW license page lists no age-based senior exemption and no active-duty military exemption; seniors and military appear only under the reduced-fee categories above (active-duty military count as residents for license pricing).
The seven inland sport fishing districts
CDFW inland waters are divided into seven Sport Fishing Districts (T14 CCR §6.31-6.37). Trout and steelhead seasons default to the district general regulations (§7.00) unless the water is listed in §7.40(b) (hatchery trout, steelhead and salmon waters) or §7.50(b) (trout waters).
| District | Counties and boundaries |
|---|---|
| North Coast | All of Trinity, Humboldt and Del Norte counties and the portion of Siskiyou County northwest of a line between Mt. Eddy and the Black Butte Summit railroad crossing of I-5, west of I-5 between the crossing and Weed, and west of Hwy 97 between Weed and the Oreg |
| North Central | All of Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties. (§6.32) |
| South Central | All of Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties; Alameda County west of I-680 and the portion east of I-680 and south of I-580; Contra Costa County west of I-80 and the portion south of Hwy 4 and west |
| Southern | All of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and those portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties outside the Colorado River District. (§6.34) |
| Sierra | All of Modoc, Lassen, Shasta, Sierra, Plumas, Alpine, Inyo and Mono counties; Tulare, Fresno and Madera counties east of the west boundaries of the national forests/park (Fresno excludes Pine Flat Lake); Mariposa, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Amador, El Dorado, Placer |
| Valley | All of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties; western Tulare, Fresno (incl. all of Pine Flat Lake) and Madera; Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer and Tuolumne |
| Colorado River | Imperial County and portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties south and east of a line along Hwy 86, I-10, Cottonwood Springs Road, Mecca Dale Road to Amboy, old Hwy 66, I-40 and Hwy 95 to the Nevada line; includes the Coachella Canal and Lake Cahuilla |
T14 CCR 6.31 to 6.37 as summarized in the 2026 freshwater booklet.
California freshwater bag and size limits
| Species | Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass | Statewide: lakes/reservoirs and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta | 5 a day | 12 in minimum | All year |
| Black bass | Statewide: rivers, streams, canals and private ponds | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Black bass | Colorado River District | 6 a day | 13 in minimum | All year |
| Black bass | Inyo County (streams east of Hwy 395/Hwy 6; all lakes, Big Pine Canal, Fish Spring Canal, | 5 a day | 12 in minimum | All year |
| Black bass | Mono County streams (except Fish Slough and §7.50(b) waters) | 5 a day | none | Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15 |
| Black bass | Plumas County (all waters) | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Trout | Statewide: inland lakes, reservoirs and ponds | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Trout | Statewide: inland streams, rivers and canals | 5 a day | none | Last Saturday in April through November 15 |
| Brook trout | Statewide | 10 a day | under 10 in | All year |
| Landlocked salmon | Statewide | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Landlocked salmon | Bucks Lake, New Bullards Bar Reservoir, Pardee Lake, Trinity Lake | 10 a day | none | All year |
| Striped bass | Statewide inland | 2 a day | 18 in minimum | All year except closures in special regulations |
| Striped bass | Colorado River District, Southern District, New Hogan, San Antonio and Santa Margarita lak | 10 a day | none | All year |
| White sturgeon | Inland waters (Sacramento-San Joaquin system) | none (release) | none | Oct. 1 – June 30 from the west Carquinez Bridge east to downstream of the Feather River confluence (Sacramento |
| Green sturgeon | Statewide | none (release) | none | see rule |
| Catfish | Statewide (except listed areas) | no limit | none | All year, except closures under special regulations |
| Catfish | Colorado River District | 10 a day | none | All year |
| Catfish | Southern District (waters not listed separately) | 10 a day | none | All year |
| Bullheads | Statewide | no limit | none | All year |
| Sunfish and crappie | Statewide | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Crappie | Hodges and El Capitan lakes (San Diego Co.) | 25 a day | 10 in minimum | All year |
| American shad | Statewide | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under special regulations |
| White bass | Statewide | no limit | none | All year |
| Sacramento splittail | Statewide | 2 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Orangemouth corvina | Salton Sea | 2 a day | 18 in minimum | All year |
| Gulf croaker and sargo | Salton Sea | 6 a day | none | All year |
| Mountain whitefish | Statewide | 5 a day | none | see rule |
| Lamprey | Statewide | 5 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Tilapia | Statewide | no limit | none | All year |
| Yellow perch | Statewide | no limit | none | All year |
| Carp and other species not listed | Statewide | see rule | none | All year |
| Grass carp | Statewide | none (release) | none | see rule |
| Northern pike | Statewide | see rule | none | see rule |
| Crayfish | Statewide | no limit | none | All year, except Shasta crayfish protection closures |
| Freshwater clams | Statewide | see rule | none | All year |
| American bullfrog | Statewide | no limit | none | All year |
| Coho salmon | Statewide | none (release) | none | see rule |
| Hatchery trout / hatchery steelhead | North Coast District: anadromous waters tributary to and north of Humboldt Bay (not Klamat | 2 a day | none | Fourth Saturday in May through Oct. 31 |
| Hatchery trout / hatchery steelhead | Sierra District: anadromous waters of Tehama and Shasta cos. not listed in §7.40 | 2 a day | none | Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15 |
| Hatchery trout / hatchery steelhead | Valley District: anadromous waters not listed in §7.40 | 2 a day | none | All year |
| Hatchery trout / hatchery steelhead | South Central District: streams west of any Highway 1 bridge (not listed in §7.40) | 2 a day | none | Dec. 1 through Mar. 7, but only on Sat., Sun., Wed., legal holidays and opening and closing days |
| Steelhead and trout | North Central District | see rule | none | see rule |
| Steelhead and trout | Southern District | see rule | none | see rule |
| Chinook salmon | Lower Klamath mainstem (Hwy 96 bridge to mouth); Upper Trinity (250 ft below Trinity River | 1 a day | none | Lower Klamath: July 1 – Aug. 14, 2026; Upper Trinity: July 1 – Aug. 31, 2026 |
| Chinook salmon | Klamath River (I-5 bridge to mouth); Trinity River (250 ft below Trinity River Hatchery to | 2 a day | none | Klamath: Aug. 15 – Dec. 31, 2026; Trinity: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Chinook salmon | Waters listed in §7.40(b) | see rule | none | see rule |
T14 CCR §2.00(a): one closely attended rod and line or one hand line with not more than three hooks or three artificial lures (each lure up to three hooks). Anglers with a valid two-rod stamp (Second-Rod Validation) and anglers under 16 may use up to two rods in inland waters, except waters restricted to artificial lures or barbless hooks.
T14 CCR §3.00: day is one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. All fish may be taken day or night except: night fishing prohibited on the American River between Business 80 and Nimbus Dam and in Mono County waters (except Topaz Lake, where fishing is prohibited from two hours after sunset to one hour before sunrise); Lake Tahoe closed from two hours after sunset to one hour before sunrise
T14 CCR §1.53: inland waters are all the fresh, brackish and inland saline waters of the state, including lagoons and tidewaters upstream from the mouths of coastal rivers and streams; excludes San Francisco Bay and Elkhorn Slough west of Elkhorn Road. Marine fin fish taken in lagoons and tidal waters follow ocean limits (§5.45).
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations, 2026 (CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet. Checked October 2026.
Groundfish by management area
Each coastal page on this site names its area; open an area for its full table.
| Area | RCG complex (boat) | Lingcod |
|---|---|---|
| Northern | 10 a day, April 1 – December 31: open all depths | 2 a day, April 1 – December 31: open all depths |
| Mendocino | 10 a day, April 1 – December 31: open all depths | 2 a day, April 1 – December 31: open all depths |
| San Francisco | 10 a day, April 1 – December 31: open all depths | 2 a day, April 1 – December 31: open all depths |
| Central | 10 a day, April 1 – December 31: open all depths | 2 a day, April 1 – December 31: open all depths |
| Southern | 10 a day, Apr. 1 – Jun. 30: open all depths; Jul. 1 – Sep. 30: 50 fathom – inshore only (t | 2 a day, Apr. 1 – Jun. 30: open all depths; Jul. 1 – Sep. 30: 50 fathom – inshore only; O |
Northern management area
CA-OR border (42°00' N) to Cape Mendocino (40°10' N)
OpenMendocino management area
Cape Mendocino (40°10' N) to Point Arena (38°57.5' N)
OpenSan Francisco management area
Point Arena (38°57.5' N) to Pigeon Point (37°11' N)
OpenCentral management area
Pigeon Point (37°11' N) to Point Conception (34°27' N)
OpenSouthern management area
Point Conception (34°27' N) to U.S.-Mexico border
OpenDivers and shore-based anglers (beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks and other man-made structures connected to shore) are exempt from season and depth restrictions affecting the RCG Complex and other federally managed groundfish (§27.20(b)(1)(C)-(D)).
No person shall take or possess any federal groundfish or greenlings from any boat in ocean waters without a descending device in possession and available for immediate use (CCR T14 §27.20(b)(2)).
Other California ocean limits
| Species | Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General finfish bag | Statewide ocean and San Francisco Bay | 20 a day | none | see rule |
| Copper rockfish | Statewide | 1 a day | none | see rule |
| Canary rockfish | Statewide | 2 a day | none | see rule |
| Bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod, quillback rockfish, yelloweye rockfish | Statewide | none (release) | none | see rule |
| California scorpionfish | Statewide | 5 a day | none | Year round |
| Leopard shark | Statewide | 3 a day | 36 in minimum | Year round |
| Pacific sanddab | Statewide | no limit | none | Year round |
| Sole | Statewide | 10 a day | none | Year round |
| Petrale sole and starry flounder | Statewide | no limit | none | Year round |
| Other federal groundfish | Statewide | 10 a day | none | Year round |
| California halibut | North of Point Sur, Monterey County | 2 a day | 22 in minimum | Year round |
| California halibut | South of Point Sur, Monterey County | 5 a day | 22 in minimum | Year round |
| Pacific halibut | North of Point Arena | 1 a day | none | Open April 1, 2026 through November 15, 2026 or until quota is reached, whichever is earlier |
| Pacific halibut | South of Point Arena | 1 a day | none | Open April 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 or until quota is reached, whichever is earlier |
| Chinook salmon | Klamath Management Zone (OR/CA border to 40°10') | 2 a day | 20 in minimum | 2026 spring/summer: June 13 – July 19 (harvest guideline of 3,900 Chinook attained; August closed) |
| Chinook salmon | 40°10' line to Point Arena (Fort Bragg) | 2 a day | 20 in minimum | 2026 spring/summer: June 13 – July 19 and August 1-9 |
| Chinook salmon | Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco) | 2 a day | 20 in minimum | 2026 spring/summer: June 27 – July 22 and August 1-23 (harvest guideline 34,900 Chinook); fall: September 1 – October 31 |
| Chinook salmon | Pigeon Point to U.S.-Mexico border (Monterey and south) | 2 a day | 20 in minimum | 2026: April 11 – August 31 (harvest guideline 21,800 Chinook); fall: September 1-30 |
| Coho salmon and steelhead | Statewide ocean | none (release) | none | see rule |
| White seabass | Statewide | 3 a day | 28 in minimum | Year round |
| Yellowtail | Statewide | 10 a day | 24 in minimum | Year round |
| Kelp bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass | Statewide | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | Year round |
| Barred sand bass | Statewide | 4 a day | 14 in minimum | Year round |
| Pacific bonito | Statewide | 10 a day | 24 in minimum | Year round |
| California barracuda | Statewide | 10 a day | 28 in minimum | Year round |
| California sheephead | Statewide | 2 a day | 12 in minimum | Boat-based anglers: March 1 through December 31; recreational divers and shore-based anglers: year round |
| Ocean whitefish | Statewide | 10 a day | none | Year round |
| California corbina | Statewide | 10 a day | none | Year round |
| Striped bass | North of Point Conception | 2 a day | 18 in minimum | Year round |
| Striped bass | South of Point Conception | 2 a day | none | Year round |
| Surfperch | Statewide (except SF and San Pablo bays) | 20 a day | none | Year round |
| Surfperch | San Francisco and San Pablo bays | 5 a day | none | Year round except April 1 – July 31 |
| Redtail surfperch | Statewide | 10 a day | 10.5 in minimum | Year round (see SF/San Pablo Bay closure) |
| Shiner perch | Statewide | 20 a day | none | Year round |
| White sturgeon | Ocean waters (§27.00) | none (release) | none | October 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 |
| Green sturgeon | Statewide | none (release) | none | see rule |
| Albacore tuna | South of Point Conception | 10 a day | none | Year round |
| Albacore tuna | North of Point Conception | 25 a day | none | Year round |
| Pacific bluefin tuna | Statewide | 2 a day | none | Year round |
| Other tunas | Statewide | 10 a day | none | Year round |
| Skipjack tuna | Statewide | no limit | none | Year round |
| Dolphinfish | Statewide | 10 a day | none | Year round |
| Marlin | Statewide | 1 a day | none | Year round |
| Broadbill swordfish | Statewide | 2 a day | none | Year round |
| Shortfin mako, common thresher and blue shark | Statewide | 2 a day | none | Year round |
| Sixgill and sevengill shark | Statewide | 1 a day | none | Year round |
| Soupfin shark | Statewide | 1 a day | none | Year round |
| White shark, giant sea bass, garibaldi, gulf and broomtail grouper | Statewide | none (release) | none | see rule |
| Pacific chub mackerel and jack mackerel | Statewide | no limit | none | Year round |
| California grunion | Statewide | 30 a day | none | July 1 through March 31 |
| Pacific herring | Statewide | see rule | none | Year round |
| Dungeness crab | Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino counties | 10 a day | 5.75 in minimum | First Saturday in November through July 30 (2026-27 season: Saturday November 7, 2026 – Friday July 30, 2027) |
| Dungeness crab | All other counties | 10 a day | 5.75 in minimum | First Saturday in November through June 30 (2026-27 season: Saturday November 7, 2026 – Wednesday June 30, 2027) |
| Rock crabs | Statewide | 35 a day | 4 in minimum | Year round |
| California spiny lobster | Statewide (Southern California) | 7 a day | 3.25 in minimum | 6:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding the first Wednesday in October through the first Wednesday after March 15 (2026-27: Fr |
| Pismo clam | Statewide | 10 a day | 5 in minimum | Santa Cruz and Monterey counties: September 1 through April 30; open year-round in all other counties |
| Pacific razor clam | Statewide | 20 a day | none | see rule |
| Mussels | Statewide | see rule | none | Year round (annual CDPH quarantine, usually May 1 – Oct. 31) |
| Abalone | Statewide | none (release) | none | see rule |
T14 CCR §27.60(a): No more than 20 finfish in combination of all species with not more than 10 of any one species.
T14 CCR §28.65: any number of hooks and lines may be used in ocean waters and bays except: San Francisco Bay, one line with not more than three hooks; public piers, no more than two rods and lines, two hand lines, or two crab nets/traps; when rockfish, scorpionfish, lingcod, cabezon, greenlings or §28.49 species are aboard, only one line with not more than two hooks. No sinker over four pounds north of Point Arguello. A Second Rod Validation is not required in ocean waters.
CDFW 2026 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations, 2026 (CDFW 2026 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet, last updated .
Related California pages
- California A to Zevery lake, stream, bay, county and town
- State recordsangling and diving records
- Reservoir levelsCDEC storage and elevation
- Marine protected areaswhere take is limited
- Guides and charterslandings, charters and river guides
- Trout stockingweekly CDFW plants
- Artificial reefsCDFW reef projects
- Public piersno license needed
- Boat rampslaunches by county
- Bait shopstackle by CDFW region
- License and limitsfees, districts and ocean areas
- Tournamentsbass events and results
California free fishing days in 2026
CDFW offers two Free Fishing Days each year (dates set annually; no fixed rule published).
No sport fishing license required; all regulations (bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures) remain in effect. Report cards required for steelhead, sturgeon, and salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity River Systems.
Both 2026 dates have passed as of the retrieval date (2026-10-09). CDFW also notes that some regions offer Fishing in the City clinics on free fishing days.
- 2026-07-04
- 2026-09-05
California license and limit questions
How much is a California fishing license in 2026?
Resident annual $64.54; nonresident annual $174.14; one day $21.09; two days $32.4.
Who needs a fishing license in California?
Anyone 16 or older, except on a public pier in ocean or bay waters and on the two free fishing days.
Do I need a license to fish from a pier in California?
Not on a public pier in ocean or bay waters that meets 14 CCR 1.88; every pier page here says whether it qualifies.
What is the Ocean Enhancement Validation?
A $7.3 add-on required to fish ocean waters south of Point Arguello with an annual license.
Can I fish with two rods in California?
In inland waters only with the Second Rod Validation; ocean anglers may use more lines except where limits apply.
What is the black bass limit in California lakes?
Five a day, 12 inches minimum, in lakes, reservoirs and the Delta unless a special rule applies.
What is the trout limit in California?
Five a day in lakes year round; streams open the last Saturday in April through November 15 unless listed.
When are the free fishing days in 2026?
July 4 and September 5, 2026.
Which CDFW documents back these rules?
The CDFW 2026 freshwater and ocean regulation booklets and CDFW license pages, checked October 2026.