You can fish at the outermost piers and on the short pier without a license. All other areas of the port require a license and permission from the owner. A fishing license is required for anyone over 16 who wants to fish in California waters. This includes both residents and non-residents.
Licensing rights go to conservation efforts and the maintenance of the state's fish stocks. While a fishing license is not required at a public pier, all other regulations (including minimum size, baggage limits, report cards, and seasons) apply while fishing on a public pier. In addition, only two rods and fishing lines, hand lines or nets, traps, or other devices used to catch crabs per person may be used at a public pier (title 14, section 28.65 (b) of the CCR). The law requires everyone over 16 to have a fishing license (unless they are not going fishing during the trip).).
If you don't have one yet, you can purchase a license one day before departure. Fishing licenses can also be purchased online at this link. The warm waters that leave the port of Dana Point are teeming with marine life, such as whales, dolphins, common seals and California sea lions. A few simple practices and equipment options can greatly improve your enjoyment of surfing perch fishing in Central California all year round.
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 from the coast in the bays of San Francisco and São Paulo, between the Golden Gate Bridge and the Carquinez Bridge, to the west, you can only use a fishing line with no more than three hooks; you can also use up to 10 crab traps. Public piers must be connected to the coast, allow free and unrestricted public access, and have been built or currently operating for the primary purpose of fishing. Dana Wharf is conveniently located in Dana Point, Orange County, just south of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Laguna Beach.
The type of equipment you need to fish in California will depend on the type of fishing you plan to do. Even if you hooked the fish on the pier and only went down to the beach to fish, you'll need a valid license to avoid a possible fine. The cost of a California fishing license varies depending on several factors, such as age, state of residence, and the type of license you need. A few simple practices and tackle options can greatly improve your enjoyment of fishing for perch, croaker, California cormorant and California halibut all year round, throughout the year.
When purchasing a fishing license, you'll need to provide certain personal information, such as your name, address, and date of birth. When fishing from a pier, restrictions apply to species-specific gear (for example, for rockfish, cod and salmon).
