A non-resident fishing license in California costs $174.14 for the full annual (365-day) license in 2026. If you’re only in the state for a short trip, shorter licenses run $21.09 for one day, $32.40 for two days, and $64.54 for ten days. Certain activities and species add validations or report card fees on top of the base price.
2026 Prices by License Length
One license covers both freshwater and saltwater fishing in California, so there’s no separate ocean license to buy. Anyone 16 or older needs a valid sport fishing license before fishing. Children under 16 fish free and don’t need a license at all.1California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Sport Fishing Licenses and Report Cards
- Annual non-resident license: $174.14, valid 365 days from the date of purchase rather than the calendar year.
- Ten-day non-resident license: $64.54, covering ten consecutive days. Only non-residents can buy this one.
- Two-day license: $32.40, covering two consecutive days. Available to residents and non-residents.
- One-day license: $21.09, for a single specified day. Available to residents and non-residents.
For a trip of a week or so, the ten-day license costs less than half the annual price. Once you’re fishing more than about eight days in a year, the annual license is the better buy.
Validations and Report Cards That Add to the Cost
The base license lets you fish, but California charges separately for a few things you might want to do or catch.
Ocean Enhancement Validation — $7.30
Required for fishing in ocean waters south of Point Arguello in Santa Barbara County. One-day and two-day license holders don’t need it.1California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Sport Fishing Licenses and Report Cards
Second-Rod Validation — $20.26
Lets you fish with two rods in freshwater. It doesn’t apply in waters restricted to artificial lures or barbless hooks, and it isn’t valid on the Smith River in Del Norte County.1California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Sport Fishing Licenses and Report Cards
Species Report Cards
Report cards are required for certain species even if the angler is under 16 and doesn’t need a license.
- Spiny Lobster Report Card: $12.70
- Steelhead Report Card: $10.29
- North Coast Salmon Report Card: $9.21, for salmon taken in the Smith River or Klamath-Trinity River systems
The Spiny Lobster Report Card must be returned or submitted online by April 30 after the season closes. Miss that date and a non-return fee applies when you buy next season’s card.2California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Recreational Lobster Fishing
Where to Buy
The quickest option is the CDFW online license portal, where you can buy and print the license immediately — handy if you want it in hand before you travel.3California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Online License Sales and Services Licenses are also sold in person at hundreds of authorized agents across the state, including sporting goods stores and bait and tackle shops, and at CDFW sales offices. Phone purchases are available through an authorized sales agent at (800) 565-1458. Bring valid ID and payment.
Two Free Fishing Days in 2026
California waives the license requirement on two days a year. In 2026, those are Saturday, July 4, and Saturday, September 5. Anyone can fish on those dates without buying a license.4California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Free Fishing Days
Every other rule still applies. Bag limits, size limits, gear restrictions, and hours don’t change, and the report card requirement remains in effect for steelhead, sturgeon, and salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity systems.4California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Free Fishing Days
What Fishing Without a License Costs
Fishing without a license in California is an infraction under Fish and Game Code Section 12002.2. A first offense carries a fine between $100 and $1,000. A second offense within five years raises the minimum to $250, with the same $1,000 ceiling.5California Legislative Information. California Code, Fish and Game Code 12002.2 If you actually had a valid license at the time but didn’t have it on you, showing it in court can reduce the fine to $25 — an inconvenient trip back to California if you’ve already gone home.
A citation can follow you across state lines. California participates in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact with 48 other states, meaning a California suspension can be recognized elsewhere, and an unpaid California citation can block you from buying a fishing license in your home state until it’s cleared.6California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Wildlife Violator Compact