California Fishing Compliance Checklist
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Fees verified for 2026. Generated by FishFig — informational only, not legal advice.
1 · What license do you need?
| Angler | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Resident | $64.54 |
| Non-resident | $174.14 |
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife — 2026 Sport Fishing License Fee Schedule (Title 14, Cal. Code Regs.). (2026). Verify the exact product and any one-day or short-term options with the agency.
2 · Size & bag limits
| Species | Min size | Bag limit | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12 in | 5 | CA Code of Regulations Title 14 §5.50 (2026). |
| California Sheephead | 12 in | 2 | CA Code of Regulations Title 14 §27.60 (2026). |
| General ocean finfish | — | 20 | CA Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations (2026); no size limit unless specified. |
3 · Required stamps & report cards
CDFW 365-day sport fishing license: resident $64.54, nonresident $174.14 (2026). Ocean Enhancement Validation $7.30 required south of Point Arguello. Report cards required for steelhead, sturgeon, and salmon in specified rivers.
4 · Legal citations
- CA Code of Regulations Title 14 §5.50 (2026).
- CA Code of Regulations Title 14 §27.60 (2026).
- CA Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations (2026); no size limit unless specified.
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife — 2026 Sport Fishing License Fee Schedule (Title 14, Cal. Code Regs.). (2026)
Always confirm current fees, seasons, and closures with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) before fishing. This checklist is a planning aid and may not reflect in-season changes.