Photo credit
Fly fishing Meadow Creek in the Scapegoat Wilderness, Montana. Photo: Brandan W. Schulze, US Forest Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
California fishing license
You need one to fish in California. Buy it from California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Where to buy it
Online from California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Many fly shops and sporting goods stores sell them too.
Buy a license on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website (opens in a new tab)
Where this link comes from
The agency's license store, opened Nov 8, 2026.
Before you go
| License | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Resident annual fishing license | $64.54 | Agency page (opens in a new tab) Nov 8, 2026 |
| Non-resident annual fishing license | $174.14 | Agency page (opens in a new tab) Nov 8, 2026 |
| Non-resident 1-day license | $21.09 | Agency page (opens in a new tab) Nov 8, 2026 |
Free fishing days
- two Free Fishing Days each year Source (opens in a new tab) (Nov 8, 2026)
Who needs one
- No license needed under 16 Source (opens in a new tab) (Nov 8, 2026)
- Carry it while you fish, on paper or on your phone if the state allows.
- Fishing for trout? Some states also need a trout stamp or permit; the agency's page says.
- Read the special regulations for the water you pick: seasons, lures and limits can differ.
- Veteran or service member? California concessions, quoted from the agency.