A sport fishing license is required for any person who is 16 years of age or older attempting to take fish, mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates, amphibians, or reptiles in inland or ocean waters. Additional validations and report cards are required for certain species and areas.
EXCEPTIONS:
- When recreationally fishing from a "public pier" in ocean or bay waters, a fishing license is not required. Even though a fishing license is not required on a public pier, all other regulations (including minimum size, bag limits, report cards, and seasons) apply while fishing from a public pier. Additionally, only two rods and lines, handlines, or nets, traps, or other appliances used to take crabs may be used per person on a public pier (CCR Title 14, Section 28.65(b))
- CDFW offers two Free Fishing Days each year. On these days, you can fish without a sport fishing license. While all fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect, there are two days each year when anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license.