Sport Fishing Regulations

Supplements updating the regulations contained in the regulations booklet are released in May and June of each year. The May and June supplements update the ocean and inland salmon regulations and any regulations that have changed since the publication of the current regulation booklet. When each supplement is released, all prior supplements should be discarded. The supplements will not contain the complete set of regulations contained in the Sport Fishing Regulation Booklet.

Start by reading through the Table of Contents: find and refer to the topic and page that interests you. License information and definitions are found in the front of the book. Pages 9-20 contain general statewide regulations for fishing and frogging in inland waters; this is an important section to review. Specific trout or salmon regulations are listed alphabetically by district beginning on page 21. Be sure to read the instructions on page 21. Regulations for ocean fishing are found in the Marine Sport Fishing Regulation Booklet. Many amphibians and reptiles are protected. For information on these species, see pages 15 and 17-18. If you need further information about the regulations, or have general questions, contact the nearest office of the Department of Fish and Game at:

Public Participation in the Commission's Regulatory Process

The Fish and Game Commission is composed of five members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. In addition to formulating general policies for the conduct of the Department of Fish and Game, and regulating aspects of commercial fishing, the Commission sets hunting and sport fishing regulations including seasons, bag limits and methods and areas of take.

Every three years, the Commission devotes its early August, October, November and December meetings to recommendations for changes in the sport fishing regulations. The public may make recommendations in writing at or before the early August meeting or give its proposals verbally at this meeting. These proposals are discussed at the October and November meetings.

Only proposals received by the early August meeting are considered. The Commission may receive additional testimony at the December meeting prior to adoption of the new regulations.

License Information

Possession and Display of License

Section 700. (Title 14, California Code of Regulations). (a) Display of Sport Fishing License: Every person, while engaged in taking any fish, amphibian or reptile, shall display their valid sport fishing license by attaching it to their outer clothing at or above the waistline so that is is plainly visible, except when diving as provided in Section 7145 of the Fish and Game Code.

Persons diving from a boat or shore may have their license on the boat or within 500 yards of shore, respectively (see Fish and Game Code Section 7145).  

*The law now provides for a minimum $100 fine for fishing without a license.

Regulations provide that a person may purchase a hunting or sport fishing license, tags, or stamps for another person, as long as the application contains the licensee's true name and address. Regulations require that prior to using any license or license stamps, the licensee shall complete the application so that it contains the licensee's true name, residence address, date of birth, height, color of eyes and hair, weight, and sex.

 License Provisions

Anyone 16 years and older must have a 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 license is required to take reptiles, except for rattlesnakes.

Only a basic fishing license is required to take amphibians, reptiles (except rattlesnakes) or any fish or for fishing in the ocean north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County. An Ocean Enhancement Stamp is required for ocean fishing south of Point Arguello except when fishing under authority of a one-day or two-day sport fishing license.

Anyone fishing in the following areas will be required to possess the Bay-Delta Sport Fishing Enhancement Stamp:

• The tidal waters of San Francisco and San Pablo bays east of the Golden Gate Bridge and west of the Carquinez Bridge. (i.e., all tidal waters, sloughs, canals and forebays within the area east of Highway 101, west of Highway 29, west of Interstates 80 and 880, and north of Highway 237, including the Napa River below the Trancas Bridge in Napa, Sonoma Creek below the Highway 121 bridge and the Petaluma River east of Highway 101)
• The Carquinez Strait.
• The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta - This includes all rivers, sloughs, canals, cuts, forebays, and flooded islands within the area south of Interstate 80, west of Highway 99, north of Interstate 580, Interestate 205, and Highway 120, and east of Interstate 680.
• The Sacramento River below Keswick Dam, the Feather River below Oroville Dam, the Yuba River below Englebright Dam, the American River below Nimbus Dam, the Cosumnes River west of Highway 99, the Mokelumne River below Camanche Dam, the Calaveras River below New Hogan Dam, the San Joaquin River below Mendota Dam, the Stanislaus River below Goodwin Dam, the Tuolumne River below LaGrange Dam, and the Merced River below Crocker-Huffman Dam.

A Klamath-Trinity Salmon Report Card is required for all anglers taking salmon in the Klamath-Trinity River system, including persons who are not required to have a sport fishing license, such as persons who are under 16 years of age, and persons who are fishing on Free Fishing Days.

A Steelhead Report Card is required for persons taking steelhead in inland waters, including persons who are not required to have a sport fishing license, such as persons who are under 16 years of age, and persons who are fishing on Free Fishing Days.

An Abalone Report Card is required for any person taking abalone from ocean waters between the center of the mouth of the San Francisco Bay and the California-Oregon border, including persons who are not required to have a sport fishing license, such as persons who are under 16 years of age, persons fishing from a public pier, and persons who are fishing on Free Fishing Days.

A Sturgeon Fishing Report Card is required for all anglers taking sturgeon, including persons who are not required to have a sport fishing license, such as persons who are under 16 years of age, and persons who are fishing on Free Fishing Days.

A Spiny Lobster Report Card is required for all anglers taking spiny lobster beginning September 27, 2008, including persons who are not required to have a sport fishing license, such as persons who are under 16 years of age, persons who are fishing from a public pier, and persons who are fishing on Free Fishing Days.

All stamps must be affixed permanently to the license being used. The license year is the calendar year.

The Two-Day Sport Fishing License is valid for two consecutive designated calendar days and may be used in inland and ocean waters. A One-Day Sport Fishing License is valid in both inland and ocean waters. (Anglers do not have to buy an ocean enhancement stamp with the purchase of this license).

A resident is defined as any person who has resided continuously in California for six months or more immediately before the date of application for a license, or persons on active military duty with the armed forces of the United States or an auxiliary branch or Job Corps enrollees.

Anyone fishing from a boat or other floating device on the Colorado River or adjacent waters forming the California-Arizona border must have a special use stamp in addition to either a California or Arizona fishing license. The holder of a California license must have an Arizona use stamp, and the holder of an Arizona license must have a California Use Stamp.

Anyone 16 years or older fishing anywhere in Lake Tahoe or Topaz Lake must possess either a California fishing license or a Nevada fishing license. (Nevada also requires a trout stamp.)

Information concerning license requirements and fees may be obtained from license agents, or from any Department of Fish and Game office.

A license or permit application shall indicate the correct mailing address of the applicant. The mailing of any notice required by law in connection with such license or permit shall be deemed sufficient if addressed to the last current address on file with the Department.

Fish, mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians and reptiles taken under authority of a sport fishing license may not be bartered or sold.

All fish, mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians and reptiles, and any device or apparatus capable of being used to take them, and all licenses, must be exhibited upon demand of any authorized officer.

 Refund Policy

Refunds will not be issued for sport fishing licenses, stamps and punch cards. These items are considered valid and in use from the date issued and, therefore, are nonrefundable.

For further information, contact the License and Revenue Branch at (916) 928-5805.

Free and Reduced-fee Licenses

The Department offers free and reduced-fee fishing licenses to eligible persons. For example, reduced-fee fishing licenses are available to certain low-income seniors at least 65 years of age, and honorably-discharged veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 50 percent. Free fishing licenses are available to eligible persons who are blind; low-income American Indians; developmentally disabled persons; and residents who are so severely physically disabled that they are permanently unable to move from place to place without the use of a wheelchair, walker, forearm crutches, or a comparable mobility-related device. Proof of eligibility for all free and reduced-fee licenses is required. For more information about reduced-fee and free fishing licenses, contact the nearest Department of Fish and Game office.

 Lifetime License Provides

• Protection against future fee increases due to inflation.

• Convenience of receiving licenses, regulations and other information by mail.

• Pride in knowing you are contributing toward a permanent, reliable source of funding for the protection and preservation of fish and wildlife.

Lifetime licensees can also buy one or more of the following packages and save even more money while helping wildlife conservation:

• Additional Fishing Privileges. Fee: $290.50--Includes one bay-delta sport fishing enhancement stamp, second-rod stamp, salmon punch card, steelhead report card, and ocean enhancement stamp each year for life.

• Additional Bird Hunting Privileges. Fee: $249.00--Includes one California duck stamp and one upland game bird stamp each year for life.

• Additional Big Game Hunting Privileges. Fee: $527.25--Includes one deer tag application and book of five wild pig tags each year for life. The deer tag application can be used to apply for a deer tag in our annual automated drawing, or to pick up an over-the-counter tag.

Lifetime Licenses—An investment in the future of wildlife.
Available from the DFG's License and Revenue Branch in Sacramento.
Call (916) 928-5805.

NOTE:

*Valid for ten consecutive calendar days
**Can be purchased by residents or nonresidents, and valid for two consecutive calendar days.
***Can be purchased by residents or nonresidents.

If you lose your annual fishing license, then take your Department-issued receipt (the one that came with your license) to any agent selling fishing licenses. Give them your receipt, pay the appropriate fee, and you can get a duplicate fishing license.

If you lose your receipt or your duplicate fishing license, you must purchase another license at full-fee.

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORIES ON FISH CONSUMPTION

Sport fish may present a health hazard when eaten due to natural and industrial chemicals in their flesh, especially when they are consumed often over a long time. Although the chemical levels found in sport fish are usually low, harmful levels do occur in some locations. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) provides consumption advice.

These advisories are not intended to discourage you from eating fish. Fish are nutritious and an excellent source of low-fat protein. The advisories should be followed to make your sport fish eating safer.

OEHHA can provide more information on the advisories and the health effects of chemical contaminants in the fish. An illustrated brochure can be requested in several languages. Please note that the specific advisories provided below may be revised or new ones added. To stay current, and to request additional information, please see the OEHHA website at www.oehha.ca.gov or contact the Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology Section (PETS) of OEHHA in Sacramento at (916) 327-7319 or in Oakland at (510) 622-3170, or write to us at PETS/OEHHA, 1515 Clay St., 16th Floor, Oakland, CA, 94612. OEHHA publications are also available on the Internet at www.oehha.ca.gov.

Cities, counties, and other local land management authorities may require permits and impose other access/trespass restrictions in addition to the restrictions in the Sport Fishing Regulations. It is the responsibility of the angler to be aware of and comply with these local rules.

SALMON SPORT FISHING SPECIAL ALERT
for California In-River Fishery

Coho (silver) salmon may not be taken in any of the waters of the State, except in Lake Oroville. Incidentally hooked coho (silver) salmon, except those in Lake Oroville, must be immediately released unharmed to the waters where they are hooked.