Free fishing piers, piers and breakwaters If you're new to the sport of fishing and you're not sure if you'll 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 fishing. Some CDFW regions offer a fishing program in the city, where you can go fishing in the center of major metropolitan areas, perhaps just a few blocks from home.
Fishing in the City and free day fishing clinics are designed to educate novice anglers about fishing ethics, fishing habits, effective fishing methods, and fishing gear. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catches so you can enjoy them at dinner that night. Where can you go to catch delicious California ocean fish if you don't have a recreational fishing license? Try one of the many free fishing piers, piers or breakwaters along the coast, where you can wet your line to catch fish such as perch, greenfish, rockfish and bass. A list of free fishing piers and an expandable map of pier locations are now available on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website to help you plan your wharf fishing adventure.
I learned to fish in Humboldt County with all my friends, but since I moved south to Mendocino County, I have no friends or locals who fish and are willing to show me anywhere. While a fishing license is not required, keep in mind that all other regulations apply (including minimum sizes, baggage limits, report cards, and seasons). Recreational fishing licenses are not required to fish from a public pier in ocean or bay waters. They 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. 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.
With a little luck, you'll soon be able to enjoy a delicious meal of fish or saltwater crab caught at one of California's free fishing piers, piers, or breakwaters. 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.
