Choosing to fish in California will offer excellent freshwater and saltwater options. Fishing in either body of water will require you to purchase a license, resident or non-resident. Fishing license prices range from $7.98 (qualifying criteria apply)-$946.75 (resident lifetime license for the age group 10-39-years old).
The cost for a short-term fishing license, available to non-residents, costs $17.02-$26.49-$52.66 (One Day-Three Day-Ten Days). Annual fishing licenses for residents 16-years and older cost $52.66; non-residents will pay $142.05. Lifetime fishing licenses for residents cost between $391.50-$946.75.
There are also licenses available to military personnel (honorably discharged disabled veterans, recovering service members) at the cost of $7.98. Low-income seniors (65-years and older) also only pay $7.98. Free licenses are offered to low-income Native American residents and people who are blind, disabled, or have mobility issues. This article will highlight the cost of all relevant licenses and any validation and report card costs when fishing in California.
How Much Does A Fishing License Cost In California?
When purchasing a fishing license in California, it is good to know that it covers freshwater and saltwater fishing. You don’t have to buy two licenses if you plan to fish in both water bodies. Besides securing a fishing license, validation and report cards could apply to you and need to be purchased. Let us start at the beginning of the process and look at the difference between a resident and a non-resident when purchasing a license.
You can purchase fishing licenses, validation, and report cards in the following ways:
How Does California Classify Residency?
California classifies “any person who had resided continuously in the State of California for six months or more immediately before the date of their application for a license or permit, any person on active military duty with the Armed Forces of the United States or auxiliary branch thereof, or any person enrolled in the Job Corps” as a resident. Persons who do not fall within the parameters mentioned above are considered non-residents.
Short Term Fishing Licenses
| Type Of License | Description Of License | Cost Of License |
| One-Day Sport Fishing License | Allows a resident or non-resident to fish for one specified day.This license exempts you from the Ocean Enhancement Validation requirement. | $17.02 |
| Three-Day Sport Fishing License | Allows a resident or non-resident to fish for two consecutive days.This license exempts you from the Ocean Enhancement Validation requirement. | $26.49 |
| Ten-Day Non-Resident Sport Fishing License | Allows a non-resident angler to fish for ten consecutive days. | $52.66 |
Annual Sport Fishing Licenses
| Type Of License | Description Of License | Cost Of License |
| Resident Sport Fishing License | Available to any resident 16-years and older. | $52.66 |
| Non-Resident Sport Fishing License | Available to any non-resident 16-years and older. | $142.05 |
| Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing License-Disabled Veteran | Available to any resident or non-resident that is an honorably discharged disabled veteran with a 50 % or a greater service-connected disability.Prequalify: Disabled Veteran Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing License | $7.98 when purchased at CDFW offices.$8.38 when purchased at licensed agents. |
| Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing License-Recovering Service Member | Available to any recovering service member of the US military.Prequalify: Recovering Service Member Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing License | $7.98 when purchased at CDFW offices.$8.38 when purchased at licensed agents. |
| Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing License-Low Income Senior | Available to low-income California residents.Residents who are 65-years and older who meet the specified annual income requirementsReduced-Fee Sport Fishing License-Low Income Seniors | $7.98 |
| Free Sport Fishing License-Low Income Native American | Available to any Native American who is a resident of California and cannot pay for a resident sport fishing license.Free Sport Fishing License-Low Income Native American is available only at CDFW License Sales Offices. | Free |
| Free Sport Fishing License-Mobility Impaired, Blind, Or Developmentally Disabled | Available to persons who are blind, developmentally disabled, or mobility impaired.The first free license must be obtained from the CDFW License and Revenue Branch- First Free Sport Fishing License. Click on the following Application for more details. | Free |
Lifetime Fishing Licenses
| Type Of License | Description Of License | Cost Of License |
| Fishing Privilege Package | This license includes a Lifetime Second-Rod Stamp, Ocean Enhancement Stamp, North Coast Salmon Report Card, and a Steelhead Report Card. | $391.50 |
| Lifetime Fishing License | Available to residents only.Lifetime Fishing License holders will receive an annual Sport Fishing License for each year of their life.Lifetime Fishing Packages must be purchased from a CDFW License Sales Office the first time. | Ages 0-9 years old: $579.25Ages 10-39 years old: $946.75Ages 40-61 years old: $853.00Ages 62 years and older: $579.25 |
Replacement Fees
| Title Of Document | Description | Cost Of Replacement |
| Duplicate Sport Fishing License | Replace a lost or stolen Sport Fishing License | $11.62 |
| Sport Fishing Validation | Replace lost or stolen Sport Fishing Validations (Second-Rod and Ocean Enhancement) | $3.24 |
| Sturgeon Report Card | Replace lost or stolen Sturgeon Report CardOnly available at CDFW License Sales Offices via Sturgeon Fishing Report Card Affidavit (PDF) | $16.48 |
| Abalone Report Card | Replace lost or stolen Abalone Report CardOnly available at CDFW License Sales Offices via Duplicate Abalone Report Card Affidavit (PDF) | 19.06 |
Validation And Report Cards
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, report cards are required for any person who fishes for:
- Steelhead
- Sturgeon
- Abalone
- Spiny Lobster
- Salmon (Klamath, Trinity, and Smith rivers only)
Any person fishing these species must have the appropriate report card. It includes any person who is not required to have a Sport Fishing License:
- Children under 16-years of age
- Person fishing from a public pier
- A person who is fishing on a free fishing day
| Title of Report/Validation Card | Description Of Card | Cost Of Card |
| Ocean Enhancement Card | The card is required to fish in ocean water south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County)The card is not required when fishing under the authority of a One/Two-day Sport Fishing License | $5.97 |
| Second-Rod Validation | The card allows a person to fish with two rods/lines in inland watersNot valid in waters where only artificial lures/barbless hooks are allowed | $16.46 |
| Sturgeon Fishing Report Card | It is required for any person who fishes and takes Sturgeon.Only one card to be issued per year. | $9.21 |
| North Coast Salmon Report Card | Required for any person fishing and taking salmon in the Smith River SystemRequired for any person fishing and taking salmon in the Klamath-Trinity River Systems | $9.21 |
| Steelhead Report Card | Required for any person fishing for and taking steelhead in inland waters | $8.13 |
| Spiny Lobster Report Card | Required for all anglers taking spiny lobsterFailing to return the Spiny Lobster Report Card before 30 April each year, the angler will be charged a $21.60 non-return fee when purchasing a card for the following season. | $10.54 |
Free Fishing Days
Should you be a resident in California, or just a non-resident who happen to be in California, you will be able to fish without a fishing license on the following days:
- Saturday 03 July 2021
- Saturday 04 September 2021
These free fishing days will give the people a chance to fish without a license and the perfect opportunity to experience fishing, especially those new to the sport. Some regions offer residents and non-residents the opportunity to fish in the city. Check out Fish In The City for more information.
All fishing regulations, such as bag limits, size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours, will still need to be adhered to, even when you don’t have to have a fishing license.
On Free Fishing Days, anglers catching the following species will still be required to have the required report card:
- Steelhead
- Sturgeon
- Salmon in the Smith, Klamath, or Trinity rivers
Fishing Regulations
Before you embark on your fishing expedition in California, please make sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations about fishing in freshwater and saltwater. Knowing what is allowed and what is required from your side will, in effect, save you money as you will not be fined for penalizable behavior.
Click on the following link for more information: Fishing and Hunting Regulations (ca.gov)
Popular Fishing Spots In California
By now, you should know how much your licenses and report cards will cost you, and your next step should be identifying where you are going to fish. There are many excellent options when fishing in California; here is a list of popular fishing destinations:
- The Delta
- The McCloud River
- Santa Monica Pier
- Lake Shasta
- Russian River
- Coronado Ferry Landing Pier
- Lake Almana
- Clear Lake
- Lake Cuyamaca
- Castaic Lake
Other Fishing License Cost
- How much is fishing license in West Virginia?
- How much is a fishing license in Florida?
- How Much is a Fishing License in Colorado?
- How Much is a Fishing License in South Dakota?
Conclusion
Fishing in California is on many an angler’s bucket list. Hopefully, this article has answered all your questions around the cost of licenses, validation, and report cards required. If you are planning a fishing trip, please do some research on the fishing spots mentioned above to ensure that you find your perfect fishing destination.
Go fish or go home!
