California Fishing License
Fishing in California
California spans nearly every fishery type in North America. The Pacific coast offers Chinook salmon, halibut, lingcod, and a deep rockfish complex from San Diego to the Oregon line. Inland, the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta holds stripers, sturgeon, and largemouth, while High Sierra streams and lakes give up trout and golden trout above 10,000 feet. Lakes Shasta, Oroville, Berryessa, and Diamond Valley produce trophy bass, and Pyramid-style trolling for kokanee runs deep all summer.
License Types & Fees
| License | Fee |
|---|---|
| Resident Sport Fishing (365-day) | $64.54 |
| Non-Resident Sport Fishing (365-day) | $174.14 |
| Low-Income Senior Reduced-Fee (65+) | $10.04 |
| Disabled Veteran Reduced-Fee $10.54 from license agents | $10.04 |
| One-Day Sport Fishing | $21.09 |
| Two-Day Sport Fishing | $32.40 |
| Ten-Day Non-Resident Sport Fishing | $64.54 |
| Ocean Enhancement Validation Required south of Point Arguello | $7.30 |
| Second Rod Validation | $20.26 |
| North Coast Salmon Report Card | $9.21 |
| Steelhead Report Card | $10.29 |
| Sturgeon Fishing Report Card | $8.13 |
| Spiny Lobster Report Card | $12.70 |
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current pricing on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website before purchasing.
License agents add a small fee ($0.50). Low-income tribal, blind, mobility-impaired, and developmentally-disabled licenses are issued free.
Log Your California Catches
CatchVault is available on iOS. Identify species with AI, measure with LiDAR, and keep a private journal of every fish you land in California.