Can you catch and release without a license in California?
Feb 4, 2021 11:42:40 #
Hey all, I’m not much of a fisherman, but my great uncle Charles gave me a fishing rod when I went on a fishing trip with my papa to Charles and his families area in Minnesota. I haven’t used it since because I’m fairly unfamiliar with what I’ll need and where to go, let alone if it’s legal. I’ve wanted to get into fishing as it is very peaceful for me and I love the water. I just don’t have a need to keep the fish and am not in a good position to pay for a fishing license if I don’t need one 🤷
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by baronbaxter
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by baronbaxter
Feb 4, 2021 11:44:07 #
Feb 4, 2021 12:18:20 #
Feb 4, 2021 12:45:19 #
neverfish
Loc: petaluma california
I don’t know but it used to be if you fish with 3 sides of water around you like a pier you didn’t need one not sure anymore if thats ok
Feb 4, 2021 12:47:21 #
Rutinbuck
Loc: Haysville, Kansas
Are you kidding me, you’re talking about California. They are all about charging you for everything.
Feb 4, 2021 13:00:01 #
Public fishing piers are no licenses.
Some jetties are no licenses but have weird rules about a license there, so you’ll have to check the rules for jetties.
Some jetties are no licenses but have weird rules about a license there, so you’ll have to check the rules for jetties.
Feb 4, 2021 13:16:36 #
If you have a pole in your hand and line from that pole is in the water you need a fishing licenses unless you are fishing from a public pier.
Feb 4, 2021 13:16:57 #
JimH
Loc: Pomona CA
It's a fishing license, not a catching license. If you put a hook in the water you need a license. Exceptions are private owned lakes or on the day that the state let's you fish without a license. There is an amnesty day each year where you don't need a license.
Feb 4, 2021 13:24:22 #
captjim
Loc: Antioch Ca
FS Digest wrote:
Hey all, I’m not much of a fisherman, but my great... (show quote)
The fishing license is required "to attempt" to catch a fish. If you were able to promise to throw every thing back, they would never sell a single license. There are two free fishing days a year where no license is required. I am not sure of the exact dates you would need to look it up. As stated earlier public piers do not need a license. But keep in mind if you have to land the fish on the bank, then you need a license.
While we are talking about licenses in California. Cal F&W has a program going to attempt to sell more hunting and fishing licenses. Sales are now at about 50% of 30 years ago. So rather than spend money to improve fish and game numbers, they spend money on marketing to B.S. you into buying the most expensive resident licenses in the country. This is the thinking that prevails at F&W and the Fish and Game Commission.
Feb 4, 2021 13:31:44 #
There are public docks were you do not need a fishing license but you need to research that for where you are going to fish. Otherwise a fine, loss of gear will be in your future. Just find a public dock.
Feb 4, 2021 13:38:02 #
JimH wrote:
It's a fishing license, not a catching license. If you put a hook in the water you need a license. Exceptions are private owned lakes or on the day that the state let's you fish without a license. There is an amnesty day each year where you don't need a license.
You need a fishing license on private lakes also. Fish and Game frequents the private lakes around here. They check everyone with a line in the water.
Feb 4, 2021 14:45:24 #
Feb 4, 2021 14:51:41 #
captjim
Loc: Antioch Ca
FS Digest wrote:
Hey all, I’m not much of a fisherman, but my great... (show quote)
I looked up the dates of the free fishing days for California. This year it is 7/3 and 9/4. Here is the link https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days
Feb 4, 2021 15:02:44 #
captjim
Loc: Antioch Ca
JimH wrote:
You can fish the pay lakes in the Santa Ana lakes without a license
There are private pay lakes south of San Jose called Parkway Lakes. They stock with some huge trout. I am not sure if you need a license there. The biggest rap on Parkway is that the water is rather warm, and algae grows very easily. I have heard that trout that have been in the lakes a while take on a green tint to the meat, and do not taste as good as they should.
Feb 4, 2021 18:17:52 #
They used to stock sturgeon, black bass, crappie, blue gills and catfish there also.
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