California · Fishing license
California fishing license
Do I need one?
Yes — anyone 16 or older needs one.
A year costs $64.54 if you live here and $174.14 if you don't. Just passing through? One day costs $21.09. Fishing the ocean south of Point Arguello adds the 7.30 ocean enhancement validation, and steelhead, sturgeon or lobster each need their own report card.
What it costs
If you live in California
| license | Price |
|---|---|
| Sport fishing, 365 days | $64.54 |
| Reduced-fee, low-income senior (65+)Needs SSI or CAPI proof, and CDFW sells it only at its own licence offices. | $10.04 |
| Reduced-fee, disabled veteranHonourably discharged with a service-connected disability of 50 percent or more. CDFW lists 10.04 to 10.54 depending on the item. | $10.04 |
| Reduced-fee, recovering service member | $10.54 |
If you're visiting
| license | Price |
|---|---|
| Sport fishing, 365 days | $174.14 |
| Ten consecutive daysSame price as a resident year — worth checking the maths before you buy. | $64.54 |
| Two consecutive daysSold to residents and visitors alike. | $32.40 |
| One daySold to residents and visitors alike. | $21.09 |
Validations and report cards come on top of the licence: ocean enhancement 7.30 (ocean south of Point Arguello), second rod 20.26 (inland), steelhead report card 10.29, sturgeon report card 8.13, spiny lobster report card 12.70.
How long it lasts
Since the 2026 change, a California sport fishing licence runs 365 days from the day you buy it, not to the end of the calendar year. Buy it in July and it covers you into next July.
Who doesn't need one
- Anyone under 16 years of age
- Angling from a public pier in ocean waters — CDFW: "A sport fishing license is not required to take fish by means of angling from a public pier in the ocean waters"
- Everyone on the two Free Fishing Days, though report cards still apply
CDFW words the age rule this way: CDFW: "Any person who is 16 years of age or older must possess a valid sport fishing license." California has no age-based exemption at the upper end — low-income anglers 65 and over pay a reduced fee instead of fishing free.
Where to buy it
- Online at licenses.wildlife.ca.gov
- At CDFW licence agents — tackle shops and sporting goods stores
- At CDFW licence sales offices (the only place that issues the low-income senior licence)
Wondering about the big retailers? A shop like Walmart sells the state's license at the state's price — it sets none of its own.
Days you can fish without one
Where to use it today
Waters we read every morning in California.
- 6 Biting Lake Tahoe
- 6 Biting New Bullards Bar Reservoir
- 6 Biting Pine Flat Lake
- 6 Biting Whiskeytown Lake
- 5 Picky Cachuma Lake
- 5 Picky Camanche Reservoir
- 5 Picky Folsom Lake
- 5 Picky Isabella Lake
- 5 Picky Lake Berryessa
- 5 Picky Shasta Lake
- 5 Picky Millerton Lake
- 5 Picky New Hogan Lake
- 5 Picky New Melones Lake
- 5 Picky Trinity Lake