California Fishing Regulations: Licenses, Limits and Seasons
By Jake Harlow · Updated September 2026 · Checked against the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) 2026 regulations and license fees.
Quick answer: anyone 16 or older needs a California sport fishing license, except when fishing from a public pier in ocean or bay waters or on a free fishing day. A 2026 resident annual license costs $64.54 and is valid for 365 days from purchase. The statewide trout limit is 5 per day and 10 in possession; black bass are 5 per day with a 12-inch minimum in lakes and the Delta; and white sturgeon are catch-and-release only. Rules vary by water, so always check the current CDFW regulations for the place you fish.
California fishing license fees (2026)
| License or stamp | 2026 fee |
|---|---|
| Resident annual sport fishing license (365 days) | $64.54 |
| Non-resident annual sport fishing license | $174.14 |
| One-day license (resident or non-resident) | $21.09 |
| Two-day license (two consecutive days) | $32.40 |
| Ten-day non-resident license (ten consecutive days) | $64.54 |
| Reduced-fee license (disabled veterans, recovering service members, low-income seniors 65+) | $10.54 |
| Second-rod validation | $20.26 |
| Ocean Enhancement Validation (ocean south of Point Arguello) | $7.30 |
| Steelhead report card | $10.29 |
| North Coast salmon report card (Smith and Klamath-Trinity systems) | $9.21 |
| Sturgeon fishing report card (2026–27 season) | $8.13 |
| Spiny lobster report card | $12.70 |
| Duplicate license | $14.30 |
Free licenses are available to qualifying blind, low-income Native American, developmentally disabled and mobility-impaired residents. Lifetime licenses ($709 to $1,160.25 depending on age) are sold only at CDFW license sales offices. Fees include agent and application fees and rise each year; source: CDFW sport fishing licenses.
Who needs a fishing license in California?
- Everyone 16 and older who takes fish, shellfish, crustaceans or amphibians.
- No license is needed to fish from a public pier in ocean or bay waters, on CDFW’s free fishing days, or for anglers under 16.
- Lake Tahoe and Topaz Lake: a California or a Nevada license is valid.
- Colorado River (the California–Arizona border section): a California or an Arizona license is valid.
- Report cards are required for steelhead, sturgeon, spiny lobster and North Coast salmon even on free fishing days, and must be reported by the deadline.
Buy online through CDFW, by phone at (800) 565-1458, from a license agent, or at a CDFW license sales office. See also when do fishing licenses expire?
Free fishing days 2026
California’s 2026 free fishing days are Saturday, July 4 and Saturday, September 5. No license is needed on those days, but bag and size limits, gear rules, report card requirements, fishing hours and closures all still apply. Source: CDFW Free Fishing Days.
Key freshwater limits (statewide rules)
| Species | Season | Daily bag limit | Size limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trout, lakes and reservoirs | All year | 5 (10 in possession) | None statewide |
| Trout, streams and rivers | Last Saturday in April – November 15 | 5 (10 in possession) | None statewide |
| Trout, streams, Nov 16 – late April | Open, catch-and-release | 0 (artificial lures, barbless hooks only) | — |
| Black bass, lakes, reservoirs and the Delta | All year | 5 | 12-inch minimum |
| Black bass, rivers, streams and private ponds | All year | 5 | None |
| Striped bass | All year | 2 (10 in some southern waters) | 18-inch minimum (none in some southern waters) |
| Sunfish and crappie combined | All year | 25 | None statewide |
| Catfish and bullheads | All year | No limit statewide (10 in the Southern and Colorado River districts) | None |
| Brook trout (extra allowance) | All year | 10 | Under 10 inches |
| White sturgeon | Oct 1 – Jun 30 in parts of the Bay-Delta | 0 (catch-and-release; report card required) | — |
Many individual lakes, streams and counties have their own seasons, limits and gear rules that override these statewide rules, so look up your water in the 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations or on CDFW’s interactive regulations map.
Rods and gear
- You may fish with one rod in inland waters, or two with a second-rod validation. Anglers under 16 may use two rods.
- The second rod is not allowed on waters restricted to artificial lures or barbless hooks.
- Snagging is illegal.
- Sturgeon may only be taken with a single-point, single-shank barbless hook, and sturgeon over 60 inches fork length may not be removed from the water.
Ocean fishing rules
In the ocean, the general bag limit is 20 finfish in combination with no more than 10 of any one species, unless a species has its own limit. Rockfish, lingcod and other groundfish have seasons and depth limits that differ between six management areas along the coast, and salmon seasons are set each year. Several species, including giant sea bass and green sturgeon, may not be kept. Marine Protected Areas restrict or ban fishing, so check the CDFW ocean sport fishing regulations and in-season changes before every trip.
How to check the rules for your water
- Read the statewide rules above and the general provisions in the current CDFW booklet.
- Find your sport fishing district and check its general district regulations.
- Look up your lake, river or stream in the special regulations list; those rules override the statewide ones.
- For ocean trips, check the management area map and in-season updates the week you fish.
- Carry your license, validations and report cards with you.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a California fishing license in 2026?
$64.54 for a resident annual license, $174.14 for non-residents, $21.09 for one day and $32.40 for two days. Reduced-fee licenses cost $10.54.
Do you need a fishing license to fish from a pier in California?
No, not from a public pier in ocean or bay waters. All other rules, such as bag and size limits, still apply.
What is the trout limit in California?
Statewide, 5 trout per day and 10 in possession, but many waters have different limits, and most streams are catch-and-release from November 16 until late April.
Can you keep sturgeon in California?
No. White sturgeon are catch-and-release only with a report card, and green sturgeon are fully protected.
When are the free fishing days in California?
In 2026: Saturday, July 4 and Saturday, September 5.
More California fishing: the best Northern California fishing spots and fly fishing in Southern California. For other states, see our fishing license guide for every state. Regulations change during the year; always check CDFW before you fish.
