At California's public docks, you can fish without a license. You must still comply with all other laws and regulations in terms of species,. If you are new to the sport of fishing and are not sure if you will enjoy it, a great opportunity awaits you. CDFW offers two days of free fishing each year.
These days, you can fish without a sport fishing license. Free fishing days offer a great and affordable way to try your hand at fishing. Some CDFW regions offer a city fishing program, where you can fish in the center of major metropolitan areas, perhaps just a few blocks from your home. Fishing in the City and free day fishing clinics are designed to educate novice anglers about fishing ethics, fishing habits, effective methods for fishing and fishing tackle.
You can even learn how to clean and prepare your fish so you can enjoy it at dinner that night. In California, anyone 16 years of age or older who attempts to catch fish, mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates, amphibians, or reptiles in inland or ocean waters (unless fishing on a public pier) must have a sport fishing license. In California, anyone 16 years of age or older must obtain a sport fishing license to catch any type of fish (mollusks, reptiles, or amphibians) from the state. Like other fishing regulations, the license requirement is intended to protect fish stocks so that generations of anglers have good opportunities to fishing.
There are also gear restrictions for certain species (for example, those contained in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, sections 28.65 (c) and 28.20 (d)). California has its own set of fishing laws and regulations that must be followed to protect its fish stocks. When fishing recreationally from a public pier in ocean or bay waters, a fishing license is not required. It's important to note that you don't need a license if you're going to fish from a public pier in ocean waters.
When fishing off the coast of San Francisco and São Paulo bays, between the Golden Gate Bridge and the West Carquinez Bridge, you can only use a fishing line with no more than three hooks; you can also use up to 10 crab traps. Additional resources and information can be found directly on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website. In California, any person who has resided continuously in the state for six months or more immediately before the date of their request for a license or permit, anyone who is in active military service, or anyone enrolled in the Job Corps is considered a resident. While a fishing license is not required at a public pier, all other regulations (including minimum size, baggage limits, report cards, and seasons) apply when fishing on a public pier.
Public piers must be connected to the coast, allow free and unrestricted public access and be currently built or operated for the primary purpose of fishing. A few simple practices and tackle options can greatly improve your enjoyment of fishing for California perches, corbines, and California halibut year-round, year-round. While all fishing regulations, such as baggage and size limits, tackle restrictions, report card requirements, fishing schedules, and stream closures, remain in effect, there are two days a year when anyone can fish without having to buy a fishing license. Public piers have a specific definition in section 1.88 of title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) (opens in a new tab)).
Although the spiny monkeyface is considered a population of nearshore fish under Section 1.90 of the regulations, it is not a nearshore rockfish or any other type of rockfish. When fishing anywhere in the ocean south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County), where a fishing license is required, an ocean improvement seal is required. In the event that your license is lost or destroyed, a CDFW licensing agent or license sales office can also help you obtain a duplicate sport fishing license.
