California Fishing Regulations

California offers an incredible diversity of fishing opportunities, from serene freshwater lakes in the Sierra Nevada to the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just starting, understanding the state’s fishing regulations is crucial for a successful, legal, and sustainable fishing experience. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of California’s freshwater and ocean sport fishing regulations for 2025, ensuring you have all the information you need for your next trip.

California Fishing License: Your First Cast

Before you can fish in California’s pristine waters, you’ll need the proper licensing. Understanding the requirements for a California fishing license is the first and most important step for any angler.

Who Needs a Fishing License in California?

Any person aged 16 or older must have a valid sport fishing license to take any kind of fish, mollusk, invertebrate, amphibian, or crustacean in California. There is a key exception: a license is not required when fishing from a public pier in ocean or bay waters.

To purchase a license, you will need to provide a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or a previously issued license document with your GO ID number. You are required by law to have your license in your immediate possession while fishing. The CDFW License App allows you to display your sport fishing license and validations electronically.

How Much is a Fishing License in California?

The cost of a fishing license varies based on residency and duration. The fees for 2025 are established to support the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) conservation and management efforts.

Here is a breakdown of the 2025 California sport fishing license fees:

Note: Most fees include a 5% license agent handling fee and a 3% ALDS application fee.

California Fishing License Online and Other Purchasing Options

Getting your California fishing permit is convenient with several purchasing options available:

1. Online: The easiest way to get your license is online through the CDFW’s official licensing website here.
2. License Agents: Licenses are sold at many local businesses, including sporting goods stores and tackle shops.
3. CDFW License Sales Offices: You can purchase licenses directly from regional CDFW offices, though cash is not accepted at these locations.
4. By Telephone: You can also purchase licenses by calling (800) 565-1458. Note that items purchased by phone will be mailed and can take up to 15 days to arrive.

Validations and Report Cards

In addition to a fishing license, some types of fishing require special validations or report cards. These are essential for managing specific fisheries.

• Second-Rod Validation ($19.70): Required to fish with two rods in most inland waters.
• Sport Ocean Enhancement Validation ($7.05): Required for fishing in ocean waters south of Point Arguello.
• Report Cards: These are mandatory for certain species, even on Free Fishing Days. Anglers must have the physical report card in their possession while fishing. Report cards must be returned or reported online by the deadline, even if you did not fish or catch anything.
  • North Coast Salmon Report Card ($8.90): Required for salmon fishing in the Klamath, Trinity, and Smith river systems.
  • Steelhead Report Card ($9.98): Required for anyone fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters.
  • Sturgeon Fishing Report Card ($11.06): Required for anyone fishing for sturgeon.
  • Spiny Lobster Report Card ($12.45): Required for taking spiny lobster. A non-reporting fee of $21.60 applies if the previous year’s card is not reported by the deadline.

Free Fishing Days in 2025

If you want to try fishing without purchasing a license, California offers two Free Fishing Days in 2025: July 5th and August 30th. On these days, you can fish without a sport fishing license, but all other regulations, including bag limits, size limits, and report card requirements, still apply.

California Freshwater Fishing Regulations

California’s freshwater ecosystems are incredibly diverse, from cold mountain streams to large warm-water reservoirs. Regulations are designed to manage these resources sustainably and vary by location, species, and time of year.

General Freshwater Provisions

Before heading out, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with statewide regulations.

• Angling Method: Fish may generally be taken only by angling with one closely attended rod and line, or one hand line, with not more than three hooks. Anglers with a valid Second-Rod Validation may use two rods in most inland waters.
• Bag and Possession Limits: In most cases, you may not possess more than one daily bag limit of any species.
• Waste of Fish: It is unlawful to cause or permit any fish to deteriorate or be wasted.
• Filleting Salmonids: All salmon and steelhead taken from inland anadromous waters must be kept in a condition where their species and size can be determined until you reach your permanent residence.

Key Freshwater Species Regulations

Regulations for popular freshwater species are highly specific. Always consult the official CDFW regulations booklet for the waters you plan to fish.

Trout and Salmon (Inland)

Trout and salmon regulations are complex and vary significantly by water body. They are divided into General Regulations and Special Regulations for specific waters.

• General Statewide Trout Regulations:
  • Lakes and Reservoirs: Open all year with a daily bag limit of five trout and a possession limit of ten.
  • Streams and Rivers: Open from the last Saturday in April through November 15 with a five-trout daily bag limit. From November 16 through the Friday before the last Saturday in April, it’s catch-and-release only (zero bag limit) with artificial lures and barbless hooks required.
• Special Regulations: Many waters have specific rules listed alphabetically in the regulations booklet. It is your responsibility to check for these special regulations before fishing. For example, sections of the American River have different seasons and bag limits for hatchery trout, steelhead, and Chinook Salmon depending on the time of year.
• Identifying Hatchery vs. Wild Trout: In many anadromous waters, only hatchery trout or steelhead may be kept. These fish are identified by a healed scar where the adipose fin has been clipped off. Wild trout, which have an intact adipose fin, must be immediately released.

Black Bass

• General Limit: The statewide daily bag limit is five fish.
• Size Limits:
  • For most lakes, reservoirs, and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, there is a 12-inch minimum total length limit.
  • For rivers, streams, and private ponds, there is no size limit unless specified in special regulations.
• Special Regulations: Certain waters, like Barrett Lake and Upper Otay Lake in San Diego County, are catch-and-release only for black bass.

Sturgeon

Sturgeon fishing in California is strictly regulated to protect this ancient species.

• Catch and Release Only: No white sturgeon may be kept; it is a catch-and-release-only fishery for inland waters. Green sturgeon may not be taken or possessed at all.
• Report Card: A Sturgeon Fishing Report Card is mandatory, and you must record every sturgeon caught and released.
• Gear Restrictions: Only one single-point, single-shank, barbless hook may be used. The sturgeon must voluntarily take the bait or lure in its mouth.
• Handling: Any sturgeon over 60 inches fork length may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

California Ocean Fishing Regulations

California’s coast offers world-class ocean fishing, from rocky shores to deep-sea expeditions. Ocean regulations are managed by both state and federal agencies to ensure sustainable fisheries for generations to come.

General Ocean Provisions

• General Bag Limit: The daily bag limit for finfish is 20 fish in combination of all species, with no more than 10 of any single species, unless other specific limits apply.
• Boat Limits: When two or more licensed anglers are on a vessel, they may continue fishing until the combined daily bag limits for everyone on board (the “boat limit”) are reached. However, upon disembarking, no individual may possess more than their personal daily bag limit.
• Filleting Fish at Sea: There are strict rules for filleting fish on a boat. For many species, like lingcod and rockfish, fillets must have the entire skin attached. For others, like kelp bass or barracuda, a one-inch square patch of skin is required. Specific minimum fillet lengths also apply.
• Gear Restrictions: In general, any number of hooks and lines may be used in the ocean. However, there are exceptions:
  • In San Francisco Bay, only one line with up to three hooks is allowed.
  • When rockfish, cabezon, or lingcod are on board, you may only use one line with no more than two hooks.
  • North of Point Conception, only one rod may be used when fishing for salmon.

Ocean Salmon Fishing Regulations California

Ocean salmon fishing is a highly anticipated season, but it is also heavily regulated based on population assessments. Regulations can change in-season, so it is critical to check for the latest updates before fishing.

You can get updates from the CDFW Ocean Salmon webpage (wildlife.ca.gov/oceansalmon) or by calling the National Marine Fisheries Service hotline at (800) 662-9825.

2025 Ocean Salmon Season Summary:

The 2025 ocean salmon season is structured with specific open dates and harvest guidelines for different management areas along the coast.

• Summer Season (Statewide):
  • Open Dates: June 7-8 and July 5-6 were scheduled, but an UPDATE on June 23, 2025, announced the 7,000 Chinook summer harvest guideline had been met. As a result, the remaining July and August dates were closed.
  • Daily Bag Limit: 2 salmon of any species except Coho (silver salmon), which are prohibited.
  • Minimum Size: 20 inches total length.
• Fall Season (Specific Subareas):
  • Harvest Guideline: 7,500 Chinook salmon.
  • Point Reyes to Pigeon Point (San Francisco Subarea): Open September 4-7, September 29-30, and October 1-5, 27-31.
  • Pigeon Point to Point Sur (Monterey Subarea): Open September 4-7 and September 29-30.
  • Daily Bag Limit: 2 salmon of any species except Coho.
  • Minimum Size: 20 inches total length.

Important Gear Rules for Ocean Salmon:

• Hooks: North of Point Conception, you must use no more than two single-point, single-shank barbless hooks.
• Circle Hooks: When fishing with bait (but not trolling) between the 40°10’ Line and Point Conception, you must use no more than two single-point, single-shank barbless circle hooks.
• One Rod: Only one rod per angler is allowed when fishing for salmon north of Point Conception.

Key Ocean Species Regulations

Here is a summary table of regulations for other popular ocean species. For groundfish like rockfish and lingcod, seasons are highly specific to different management areas and depths, so always check the latest regulations.

Always check for in-season changes, especially for groundfish and salmon, as seasons and depth restrictions are subject to change to stay within federal harvest limits.

This guide provides a solid foundation for understanding California’s fishing regulations. However, the official regulations booklets published by the CDFW are the ultimate authority. By staying informed, you not only comply with the law but also contribute to the health and sustainability of California’s world-class fisheries. Happy fishing!