Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
California
State, United States. Authority : California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
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- Licence
- US$174.14Nonresident 365-Day Sport Fishing License
- Calendar lines open on
- 223 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 30.5 cmBlack bass (lakes/reservoirs and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta)
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearFish Unhooking Mat with 100 cm RulerTo check the minimum size: Largemouth bass 30.5 cm here.
€48.90£24.90Not shipped to the United States
8-Strand Multicolour PE Braid, 500 mFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · vertical jigging
€72.90£49.90Not shipped to the United States
Small Floating Tail-Spinner Lures 6 cm, Pack of 5For : largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, european perch · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€36.90£22.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
From Nov 16 to the Friday before the last Saturday in April: zero-trout bag, artificial barbless lures only; exceptions in Sections 7.40(b)/7.50(b)
general statewide rule
general statewide restriction, except listed special waters
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–60 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (lakes/reservoirs and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta)2 general statewide; no size limit in rivers/streams/private ponds | 30.5 cm |
To check the minimum size: Largemouth bass 30.5 cm here. Fish Unhooking Mat with 100 cm Ruler €48.90£24.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass2 general statewide (lakes, reservoirs, Delta, rivers, streams) | 5 per day |
| Trout (combined)2 possession 10; zero bag in streams Nov 16 – opener | 5 per day |
| Northern pike2 prohibited species: must be killed immediately (head removed), retained and reported to CDFW (CalTIP 1-888-DFW-CALTIP); never released | not published |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident 365-Day Sport Fishing License1 | 365 days from purchase | US$64.54 |
| Nonresident 365-Day Sport Fishing License1 | annual (365 days) | US$174.14 |
| One-Day Sport Fishing License (residents and nonresidents)1 | 1-day | US$21.09 |
| Two-Day Sport Fishing License (residents and nonresidents)1 | 2-day | US$32.40 |
| Ten-Day Nonresident Sport Fishing License1 | 10-day | US$64.54 |
| Reduced Fee (disabled veterans / recovering service members)1 | annual (365 days) | US$10.54 |
| Second-Rod Validation (inland waters)1 | annual (365 days) | US$20.26 |
| Steelhead Trout Report Card (Jan 1 – Dec 31 2026)1 | annual | US$10.29 |
Buy the licence on licenses.wildlife.ca.gov
- Ages and exemptions1
- A sport fishing license is required for any person 16 years of age or older (under 16 exempt, but report cards still required). Reduced-fee license available to low-income California residents 65+ receiving SSI/CAPI.
Good to know
Licenses valid 365 days from purchase. Black bass: 5/day statewide, 12 in minimum in lakes/reservoirs/Delta. Northern pike is an invasive: every pike caught must be killed and reported. Walleye not present/regulated. Stream trout season last Saturday in April – Nov 15 (winter catch-and-release with barbless artificials).
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- No 3-day/7-day license (1-day, 2-day and 10-day nonresident exist)
- Low-income senior reduced-fee price not confirmed for 2026 (web page shows $10.04, year not stated)
- Walleye: no California regulation
- wildlife.ca.gov unreachable from non-US IPs; pages fetched via a US server
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Lake Shasta reservoir, Shasta County View on the map
- Lake Almanor reservoir, Plumas County View on the map
- Eagle Lake lake, Lassen County View on the map
- Lake Berryessa reservoir, Napa County View on the map
- Trinity Lake reservoir, Trinity County View on the map
- Lake Oroville reservoir, Butte County View on the map
- New Melones Lake reservoir, Calaveras County View on the map
- Folsom Lake reservoir, El Dorado County View on the map
- Isabella Lake reservoir, Kern County View on the map
- Lake Crowley reservoir, Mono County View on the map
- Lake Davis reservoir, Plumas County View on the map
- Big Bear Lake lake, San Bernardino County View on the map
- Bridgeport Reservoir reservoir, Mono County View on the map
- Lake Casitas reservoir, Ventura County View on the map
- Shaver Lake reservoir, Fresno County View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in California in 2026?
The “Nonresident 365-Day Sport Fishing License” licence costs US$174.14 (annual (365 days)). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for largemouth bass in California?
Largemouth bass: 30.5 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- CDFW 2026 Sport Fishing Items and Fees (Rev 11/2025) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (updated July 10, 2026) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- CDFW Sport Fishing Licenses and Report Cards (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- wildlife.ca.gov/Regulations
Last checked : 23 September 2026.