What will it cost? Calculator
Pick your trip and we'll work out the cheapest licenses to buy, including any required stamps.
Licenses and prices
Checked Nov 4, 2026Prices for 2026. Prices include a 5% license agent handling fee and a 3% non-refundable application fee. All sales are final.
How long annual licenses last: Annual licenses and validations run 365 days from purchase. Report cards have their own fixed seasons. Official source
Non-residents (visitors)
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-resident sport fishing license | FreshSalt | Annual | $174.14 | Official source |
| One-day sport fishing license | FreshSalt | 1 day | $21.09 |
Open to residents and non-residents aged 16 or over (California Fish and Game Code 7149.05). Includes: Ocean Enhancement validation not needed Official source2 |
| Two-day sport fishing license | FreshSalt | 2 days | $32.40 |
Open to residents and non-residents aged 16 or over (California Fish and Game Code 7149.05). Includes: Two consecutive days. Ocean Enhancement validation not needed Official source2 |
| Ten-day non-resident sport fishing license | FreshSalt | 10 days | $64.54 |
Includes: Ten consecutive days Official source |
Residents
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident sport fishing license | FreshSalt | Annual | $64.54 | Official source |
| One-day sport fishing license | FreshSalt | 1 day | $21.09 |
Open to residents and non-residents aged 16 or over (California Fish and Game Code 7149.05). Includes: Ocean Enhancement validation not needed Official source2 |
| Two-day sport fishing license | FreshSalt | 2 days | $32.40 |
Open to residents and non-residents aged 16 or over (California Fish and Game Code 7149.05). Includes: Two consecutive days. Ocean Enhancement validation not needed Official source2 |
| Age-limited licenses | ||||
| Lifetime sport fishing license (ages 0-9) Under 10 | FreshSalt | Lifetime | $709 |
First purchase at a CDFW license sales office. Renew (free) each year. Optional Fishing Privilege Package $478.75 adds lifetime Second-Rod and Ocean Enhancement validations and North Coast Salmon and Steelhead report cards. Official source |
| Lifetime sport fishing license (ages 10-39) Ages 10–39 | FreshSalt | Lifetime | $1,160.25 |
First purchase at a CDFW license sales office. Renew (free) each year. Optional Fishing Privilege Package $478.75 adds lifetime Second-Rod and Ocean Enhancement validations and North Coast Salmon and Steelhead report cards. Official source |
| Lifetime sport fishing license (ages 40-61) Ages 40–61 | FreshSalt | Lifetime | $1,045 |
First purchase at a CDFW license sales office. Renew (free) each year. Optional Fishing Privilege Package $478.75 adds lifetime Second-Rod and Ocean Enhancement validations and North Coast Salmon and Steelhead report cards. Official source |
| Lifetime sport fishing license (ages 62+) Ages 62+ | FreshSalt | Lifetime | $709 |
First purchase at a CDFW license sales office. Renew (free) each year. Optional Fishing Privilege Package $478.75 adds lifetime Second-Rod and Ocean Enhancement validations and North Coast Salmon and Steelhead report cards. Official source |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Reduced-fee license: disabled veteran | FreshSalt | Annual | $10.54 |
Only for: Veterans with a service-connected disability of 50% or more. $10.04 at CDFW offices, $10.54 from license agents. Official source |
| Reduced-fee license: recovering service member | FreshSalt | Annual | $10.54 |
Only for: Recovering service members. $10.04 at CDFW offices, $10.54 from license agents. Official source |
| Reduced-fee license: low-income senior | FreshSalt | Annual | $10.04 |
Only for: Residents aged 65 or over receiving SSI or CAPI. CDFW license sales offices only; reverified each year. Official source |
| Free license: low-income Native American | FreshSalt | Annual | Free |
Only for: Low-income Native American residents. Official source |
| Free license: blind, mobility-impaired or developmentally disabled | FreshSalt | Annual | Free |
Only for: Anglers who are blind, mobility-impaired or developmentally disabled. Official source |
Extra stamps and permits
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
Ocean Enhancement validation
$7.30Fishing ocean waters south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County). Not needed with a one- or two-day license.
Everyone · salt water Official source
-
Second-Rod validation
$20.26Using two rods or lines in inland waters (not allowed in artificial-lure or barbless-hook waters). Not needed in the ocean.
Everyone · fresh water Official source
-
Recreational Crab Trap validation
$2.98Using crab traps (not needed for hoop nets or crab loop traps).
Everyone · salt water Official source
-
Sturgeon report card
$8.13Fishing for sturgeon, including from public piers and if under 16. White sturgeon are catch and release only.
Everyone Official source
-
Steelhead report card
$10.29Fishing for steelhead in inland waters. From January 1, 2027 also needed for steelhead or rainbow trout in anadromous waters from August 1 to April 30.
Everyone · fresh water Official source
-
Spiny lobster report card
$12.70Taking spiny lobster, including if under 16 or on a public pier. A $21.60 fee applies if not returned or reported by April 30.
Everyone · salt water Official source
-
North Coast Salmon report card
$9.21Fishing for salmon in the Smith River and Klamath-Trinity river systems.
Everyone · fresh water Official source
Who doesn't need a license
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
Anyone under 16 (report cards still needed for sturgeon, steelhead, lobster and North Coast salmon)
FreshSalt Everyone Official source
-
Anyone fishing from a qualifying public pier in ocean waters (limits and report cards still apply)
Salt Everyone · check this applies to you Official source
-
Anyone, on California's two free fishing days (report cards still needed)
FreshSalt Everyone Official source
Fishing licenses from other states aren't valid in California, except under the border-water agreements below.
Free fishing days
Checked Nov 4, 2026Dates can move, and some free days are for residents only. Confirm with CDFW before you go.
- Sat, Jul 3, 2027 FreshSalt
- Sat, Sep 4, 2027 FreshSalt
Next dates not yet announced. Check the official page.
The rule: Two days a year, set by CDFW.
All other rules apply, including report cards for steelhead, sturgeon and North Coast salmon.
Residents and visitors
Checked Nov 4, 2026- Who counts as a resident
- Lived in California continuously for six months or more immediately before applying. People enrolled in the Job Corps also count as residents.
- Military
- Anyone on active military duty with the US armed forces (or an auxiliary branch) counts as a resident. Reduced-fee licenses exist for disabled veterans and recovering service members.
How to buy a California fishing license
Checked Nov 4, 2026Sold online, at license agents and at CDFW license sales offices. Some reduced-fee licenses and lifetime licenses start at CDFW offices only. CDFW offices don't accept cash.
- Online
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife license sales
- Phone
- (800) 565-1458
- App
- CDFW License App
- License on your phone
- Accepted
Buy online, by phone through CDFW's telephone sales agent, from license agents or at CDFW license offices (no cash at CDFW counters). Listed prices already include the 5% agent handling fee and 3% application fee. A license shown in the CDFW License App counts as proof; screenshots don't. Report cards must still be carried on paper. The app links to the online shop rather than selling licenses itself.
One sport fishing license covers both fresh and salt water.
Charters, guides and piers
Checked Nov 4, 2026Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license.
California has no license covering a party boat's or guide's customers: everyone aged 16 or over needs their own sport fishing license (a one-day license works) on a charter, party boat or guided trip. No license is needed to fish from a public pier in ocean waters, but report cards and all other rules still apply. Since January 1, 2026, people using crab traps from a commercial passenger fishing vessel no longer need the Recreational Crab Trap Validation.
Charter rules depend on the boat and where you fish. Ask the captain, and check CDFW's rules before you book.
Border waters
Colorado River (California–Arizona)
A valid California or Arizona sport fishing license lets you fish from either shore of the stretch of the Colorado River that forms the California–Arizona boundary. The old Colorado River Special Use Validation ended after 2013. Official source
Lake Tahoe and Topaz Lake (California–Nevada)
Nevada accepts a valid California sport fishing license (with any stamps needed) anywhere on Lake Tahoe and Topaz Lake. Nevada license holders need a Nevada fishing license or Nevada Interstate Boundary Waters license (annual licenses also need a trout stamp). Check CDFW rules before using a Nevada license in California waters. Secondary source: Nevada Administrative Code 502.286 (Cornell Legal Information Institute)
Seasons and limits
Checked Nov 4, 2026Limits change, and many lakes, rivers and coastal areas have their own rules. Check CDFW's current rules before you keep a fish.
Statewide and district general rules. California has many waterbody-specific rules, and ocean rules vary by management area and change in season. Possession limit equals the daily bag unless stated (trout: 10 in possession).
| Species | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass Fresh Also: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass |
Lakes, reservoirs and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta | 12" minimum | 5 | Open all year |
| Black bass | Rivers, streams, canals and private ponds | No minimum | 5 | Open all year |
| Black bass | Colorado River District | 13" minimum | 6 | Open all year |
| Many lakes have their own limits, and some Inyo and Mono County streams close from November 16 to late April. Secondary source: California freshwater regulations booklet (eRegulations) Largemouth bass limits in other states | ||||
| Striped bass Fresh | Statewide | 18" minimum | 2 | Open all year |
| Striped bass | Colorado River and Southern districts; New Hogan, San Antonio and Santa Margarita lakes | No minimum | 10 | – |
| Ocean and bay rules are the same: 2 a day, 18" minimum. Hybrids with white bass count as striped bass. Secondary source: California Code of Regulations, Title 14 §5.75 Striped bass limits in other states | ||||
| Trout Fresh Also: rainbow trout, brown trout |
Lakes, reservoirs and ponds | – | 5 (10 in possession) | Open all year |
| Trout | Streams, rivers and canals | – | 5 (10 in possession) | Last Saturday in April to November 15; catch and release with barbless artificial lures the rest of the year |
| Many waters have special trout rules. Brook trout under 10" have an extra limit of 10 in most waters. Secondary source: California freshwater regulations booklet (eRegulations) Trout limits in other states | ||||
| Crappie and sunfish Fresh Also: bluegill, redear sunfish |
Statewide | No minimum (crappie 10" at Hodges and El Capitan lakes) | 25 in total, all species | Open all year |
| Barrett and Upper Otay lakes: none may be kept. Secondary source: California freshwater regulations booklet (eRegulations) Crappie limits in other states | ||||
| Catfish and bullhead Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | No limit | Open all year |
| Catfish and bullhead | Colorado River and Southern districts; Inyo and Mono counties | – | 10 | – |
| Several counties (including Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Clara) have a limit of 5 at listed waters. Secondary source: California freshwater regulations booklet (eRegulations) Catfish limits in other states | ||||
| White sturgeon Fresh | Inland waters | – | 0: catch and release only | Generally October 1 to June 30 in the lower Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and Delta; shorter or closed further upstream |
| White sturgeon | Ocean and San Francisco Bay | – | 0: catch and release only | October 1 to June 30, closed January 1 to March 15 |
| Sturgeon report card required. Fish over 60" fork length must stay in the water. Secondary source: California freshwater regulations booklet (eRegulations) | ||||
| California halibut Salt | South of Point Sur (Monterey County) | 22" minimum | 5 | Open all year |
| California halibut | North of Point Sur | 22" minimum | 2 | Open all year |
| Official source2 | ||||
| White seabass Salt | Statewide | 28" total length | 3; only 1 south of Point Conception from March 15 to June 15 | Open all year |
| Official source | ||||
| Yellowtail Salt | Statewide | 24" fork length, but up to 5 under 24" may be kept | 10 | Open all year |
| Official source | ||||
| Kelp, barred sand and spotted sand bass Salt Also: calico bass |
Statewide | 14" minimum | 5 in total, no more than 4 barred sand bass | Open all year |
| Official source | ||||
| California spiny lobster Salt | Statewide | 3¼" carapace | 7 | 2026-27: 6 pm October 2, 2026 to March 17, 2027 |
| Spiny lobster report card needed by everyone, including under-16s. Hoop nets: 5 per person, 10 per boat. Season dates change each year. Official source | ||||
| Rockfish, lingcod and other groundfish Salt | Set each year: check here. Seasons, depths and limits vary by management area and can close early. Check CDFW's current groundfish table for your area. | |||
| Ocean salmon Salt | Set each year: check here. Seasons are set each year and often closed or cut short. Check CDFW before fishing. | |||
| Dungeness crab Salt | Set each year: check here. Season opening is often delayed or restricted (whale entanglement, domoic acid). Never open in San Francisco and San Pablo bays. Check CDFW before fishing. | |||
Compare California with other states
Neighboring states, side by side: prices, age rules, free days and shared waters.
Questions
Do I need a fishing license in California?
Yes, if you are 16 or older and fish public waters in California, unless an exemption applies. No license is needed for: Anyone under 16 (report cards still needed for sturgeon, steelhead, lobster and North Coast salmon).
How much is a non-resident fishing license in California?
For an adult fishing fresh water, the cheapest options for 2026 are $21.09 for one day (One-day sport fishing license); $64.54 for seven days (Ten-day non-resident sport fishing license); $174.14 for a year (Non-resident sport fishing license). Prices include a 5% license agent handling fee and a 3% non-refundable application fee. All sales are final.
Do seniors need a fishing license in California?
Senior options for residents: Lifetime sport fishing license (ages 62+): $709 (ages 62+). Non-resident seniors pay the normal non-resident prices.
When is the next free fishing day in California?
Sat, Jul 3, 2027 (). All other rules apply, including report cards for steelhead, sturgeon and North Coast salmon.
How do I get a fishing license in California?
Buy it from California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Sold online, at license agents and at CDFW license sales offices. Some reduced-fee licenses and lifetime licenses start at CDFW offices only. CDFW offices don't accept cash.
Do I need a license to fish on a charter in California?
Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license. California has no license covering a party boat's or guide's customers: everyone aged 16 or over needs their own sport fishing license (a one-day license works) on a charter, party boat or guided trip. No license is needed to fish from a public pier in ocean waters, but report cards and all other rules still apply. Since January 1, 2026, people using crab traps from a commercial passenger fishing vessel no longer need the Recreational Crab Trap Validation.
Sources and checks
Every fact on this page comes from California Department of Fish and Wildlife unless it's marked secondary. We use a secondary source only when the official site doesn't show something, and we name it.
- Licenses and prices
- Checked Nov 4, 2026 (prices for 2026)
- Free fishing days
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
- Seasons and limits
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
All 12 source pages
- california.public.law/codes/fish_and_game_code_section_7149.05
- fishingbooker.com/blog/california-fishing-license-quick-guide
- wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Fishing-Map/SF-Bay
- wildlife.ca.gov/LicenseApp
- wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing
- wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days
- wildlife.ca.gov/Regions/Marine/FAQ/general-commercial-and-recreational-recreational-when-do-i-need-a-sportfishing-license
- www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Fishing-Map/Southern
- California Code of Regulations, Title 14 §5.75 secondary
- California freshwater regulations booklet (eRegulations) secondary
- California freshwater regulations booklet (eRegulations) secondary
- Nevada Administrative Code 502.286 (Cornell Legal Information Institute) secondary
Spotted something out of date? Tell us.