California Fishing Regulations
Managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Summary below verified 2026-07-27.
⚠️ This is a planning summary, not the law. Rules change mid-season and many waters carry special regulations. Verify with the official California rules before keeping fish.
License fees
Licenses are valid 365 days from purchase. Anglers 16+ need one; report cards required for sturgeon, steelhead, and some other fisheries. Ocean fishing from public piers needs no license.
| Resident annual (365-day) | ≈$62 |
| Non-resident annual | ≈$167 |
Fees approximate as of 2026-07-27; agency fees pages have exact current pricing.
Season, size & bag limits — popular species
| Species | Waters | Season | Daily bag | Size limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) | Freshwater | Open year-round | 5 combined | 12" minimum | Some waters have slot or trophy rules |
| Trout | Freshwater | Varies by district; many waters year-round | 5 (general) | Varies | Sierra district seasons and special waters differ widely |
| Striped bass | Freshwater & bays | Open year-round | 2 | 18" minimum | |
| Kokanee salmon | Freshwater | Open year-round | 5 (10 on some lakes) | None | |
| White sturgeon | Freshwater & bays | Catch-and-release only | 0 | — | Harvest closed; check CDFW for current status |
California's freshwater regulations run district-by-district and ocean rules change in-season — use the CDFW regulations pages or app for the water you plan to fish.
Plan your California trip
Check today's bite forecast: