California fishing regulations: size and bag limits

Bag and size limits, seasons, and license requirements for fishing in California, across 14 spots tracked by FishRadar. Informational only — confirm the current rules with the official authority before you fish.

California
SpeciesBag limitMin sizeOpen season
LingcodT14 CCR §28.272/daymin 55.9 cmJan 1 – Dec 31
Two fish, 22 inches minimum. THE SEASON AND THE FISHABLE DEPTH ARE NOT STATEWIDE: open and closed dates and depth restrictions are set separately for each of the five Groundfish Management Areas (Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, Central and Southern) under T14 CCR §§27.25–27.45, and the Groundfish Exclusion Areas are closed to lingcod year-round under §27.50. CDFW may also change the rules in-season under §27.20(e). Check the area you are fishing before you go.
White SeabassT14 CCR §28.351/daymin 71.1 cmJan 1 – Dec 31
THE LIMIT IS ONE FISH, NOT THREE, in waters south of Point Conception between 15 March and 15 June — which covers every Californian spot on this site. Outside that window, and north of Point Conception all year, the limit is three. Open season all year. Applies to all take methods including spearfishing.
Yellowtail AmberjackT14 CCR §28.3710/daymin 61 cmJan 1 – Dec 31
Ten fish daily. The 24-inch fork-length minimum carries an explicit exception: five fish under 24 inches may be taken or possessed within the ten.

Licensing:

Fishing spots in California

Get the FishRadar app

Live scores update through the day. Get the full forecast, bite windows, and your own saved spots in the FishRadar app.

Download on the App Store Google Play