California
Fishing License 2026.

License required?

Yes

Where to apply?

California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW). Online, CDFW license agents, or any Walmart/Big 5 Sporting Goods.

Cost

Resident annual: $61.43. Non-resident annual: $165.80. 1-day: $20.02 both. 2-day: $31.00. 10-day non-res: $61.43. Report card ($7.15) required for steelhead/sturgeon/abalone/spiny lobster.

Validity

Annual (Jan 1 – Dec 31), 1-day, 2-day, or 10-day

Available online?

Yes

California has one of the most complex license regimes — separate report cards required for steelhead, sturgeon, spiny lobster, and abalone. Required for ages 16+. Free license days usually first Saturday in April and first Saturday after July 4. Two-pole stamp ($19) allows fishing with two rods simultaneously.

Closed seasons

Trout: closed Nov 15 – last Sat of April on most Sierra streams. Salmon: varies by river + year (ocean salmon often closed 2026). Sturgeon: slot-based year-round, no take March–June on San Francisco Bay.

Catch limits

Trout: 5/day. Bass (largemouth/smallmouth): 5/day 12" min. Rockfish: 10/day combined. Halibut: 2–3/day 22" min depending on ocean zone.

Prohibited methods

No live bait for trout in most streams (fly/lure only). White sharks, green sturgeon, coho salmon all strictly protected — no-take.

Catch & Release

Required for sturgeon outside legal slot (40–60" fork length), salmon outside season, any protected species.

Check regional regulations — California has 'special regulation' zones for many streams. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) cover 16% of state waters, often no-take. Ocean salmon seasons announced annually each spring.

Best season

Trout: April–October (Sierra streams). Bass: March–June. Salmon: July–October ocean, September–December rivers. Rockfish: April–December (closed Jan–March nearshore).

Freshwater

8,000+ lakes + 30,000 miles of rivers. Sierra Nevada for wild trout; delta + reservoirs for bass; Northern CA rivers (Sacramento, Klamath, Smith) for steelhead + salmon.

Saltwater

840 miles of Pacific coast. SF Bay + Monterey Bay for halibut/striper; San Diego + Mexico border for tuna/yellowtail; Northern coast rockfish + lingcod.

Equipment

Bass Pro stores, REI, countless fly shops (Orvis LA, The Fly Shop in Redding, Bob Marriott's in Fullerton). Kayak fishing huge in SoCal.

Fishing guides

$400–$800/day freshwater (Delta bass, Sacramento steelhead). $1,200–$2,500 offshore (tuna out of San Diego).

Transport

LAX, SFO, SAN, SJC, SMF, OAK all major. Rental car essential — distances are vast. PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) for scenic coastal access.

Safety

Rip currents on Pacific beaches — always swim with flags. Rattlesnakes in Sierra/foothills Apr–Oct. Wildfires Jun–Oct (check Cal Fire). Hypothermia in cold Pacific water year-round.

License fees

$20–$166 depending on duration + residency

Guide prices

$400–$800 freshwater; $1,200–$2,500 offshore

Daily budget

Budget: $120/day. Charter: $500–$2,500/day.