Free Fishing Day Opens California Waters July 4

SACRAMENTO — Californians can fish without buying a sport fishing license on Saturday, July 4, the first of two Free Fishing Days offered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife this year. The second free day is scheduled for Saturday, September 5.

The day can be used at accessible lakes, rivers, and streams across the state, subject to public access rules, local closures, and site-specific regulations. People planning a trip can use CDFW’s online Fishing Guide to look up freshwater regulations, fish planting locations, boat launches, fishing spots, and license sales agents. CDFW’s fish planting schedule is updated in real time by hatchery staff, although plants can change because of road, water, weather, or operational conditions.

Free Fishing Day does not suspend California’s fishing laws. Bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours, stream closures, and all other rules remain in effect. CDFW says every angler must still have the proper report card when fishing for steelhead, sturgeon, or salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity river systems. The license waiver also does not override private property rules or other local access requirements.

Children 15 and younger can already fish year-round without a California sport fishing license, as the license requirement does not begin until age 16. Otherwise, anglers who fish outside of Free Fishing Days must be licensed unless they qualify for another exemption. CDFW lists a resident 365-day sport fishing license at $64.54, a nonresident license at $174.14, and a one-day sport fishing license at $21.09. Additional validations and report cards may be required for certain species and areas.