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California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Contact Information

Main Office: 20 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Suite 100
Monterey, CA 93940

Information: (831) 649-2870, AskMarine@wildlife.ca.gov

Acting Regional Manager:
Paul Hamdorf

Related Links

Ocean Fishing: Laws and Regulations

Ocean Fishing: Laws and Regulations

Sport Fishing

Select a specific area of interest from the choices below.

Publications

2013-2014 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Booklet
California Code of Regulations, Title 14
Click this link and then click "TITLE 14. Natural Resources"
California Fish and Game Code
Declaration for Entry Form
State Marine Protected Areas
- Guide to the Northern California Marine Protected Areas
  CA-OR Border to Alder Creek, near Point Arena
- Guide to the North-Central Coast Marine Protected Areas
  Alder Creek, near Point Arena to Pigeon Point
- Guide to the Central California Marine Protected Areas
  Pigeon Point to Point Conception
- Guide to the Southern California Marine Protected Areas
  Point Conception to the Mexico Border
- Brochure: California Marine Protected Areas - Northern California
  CA-OR Border to Alder Creek, near Point Arena
- Brochure: California Marine Protected Areas - North-Central California
  Alder Creek, near Point Arena to Pigeon Point
- Brochure: California Marine Protected Areas - Central California
  Pigeon Point to Point Conception

Selected Fishery Regulation Information

Fort Ross Red Abalone Closure Map
New regulations (Section 29.15(b)(1)) effective March 1, 2012
Groundfish (Includes rockfish species)
In-Season Ocean Fishing Regulation Changes
Invertebrate Regulations
lobster, abalone, clams, crab, etc.
Kellet's Whelk: Recreational fishing regulations
Ocean Salmon Seasons
Sturgeon Closure Map (San Francisco Bay)

Other Information

Bay-Delta Sport Fishing Enhancement Stamp
California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Map
Fish and Game Commission: New and Proposed Regulations
Fishing Districts
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Landmark Point References
Marine Region GIS Unit
Pacific Fishery Management Council
Snapshots of Current CDFW Issues
Leads to Fish and Game Commission website
State Marine Protected Areas
Other Regulation and Management Links

Commercial Fishing

Select a specific area of interest from the choices below.

Publications

2013-2014 California Commercial Fishing Digest
California Code of Regulations, Title 14
Click this link and then click "TITLE 14. Natural Resources"
California Fish and Game Code
State Marine Protected Areas
- Guide to the Northern California Marine Protected Areas
  CA-OR Border to Alder Creek, near Point Arena
- Guide to the North-Central Coast Marine Protected Areas
  Alder Creek, near Point Arena to Pigeon Point
- Guide to the Central California Marine Protected Areas
  Pigeon Point to Point Conception
- Guide to the Southern California Marine Protected Areas
  Point Conception to the Mexico Border
- Brochure: California Marine Protected Areas - Northern California
  CA-OR Border to Alder Creek, near Point Arena
- Brochure: California Marine Protected Areas - Central California
  Pigeon Point to Point Conception

Selected Fishery Regulation Information

Groundfish (Includes rockfish species)
In-Season Ocean Fishing Regulation Changes
Invertebrate Fisheries
lobster, crab, urchin, etc.
Kellet's Whelk: Commercial fishing regulations
Ocean Salmon Seasons
State-managed Commercial Fisheries: Cabezon, Greenlings and Sheephead (CGS)

Other Information

Commercial Fishing Seasons for 2011
Table from the 2011-2012 Commercial Digest
Fish and Game Commission: New and Proposed Regulations
Fishing Districts
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Landmark Point References
Marine Region GIS Unit
Pacific Fishery Management Council
Regulations Governing Marine Aquaculture
Snapshots of Current CDFW Issues
Leads to Fish and Game Commission website
State Marine Protected Areas
Other Regulation and Management Links

Going Ocean Fishing?

Record Ocean Sportfish

Sport Fishermen, check out our easy-to-use California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Map. Simply click the portion of the California coast where you plan to fish, and you will access a summary of current Sport Fishing Regulations for that area.

Learn more about this 21 pound 5 ounce Pacific bonito and other California record ocean sportfish.

For Current Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations, call
(831) 649-2801.

For Current Ocean Salmon Regulations, call
(707) 576-3429.

CDFW License and Revenue Branch

Sport Fishing License Information
Commercial Fishing License Information
Commercial Fish Business Information (including freshwater commercial fishing)
Applications and Forms
License Agent Search

License and Revenue Branch

California Fishing Passport

Marine Management News

A new fishing incentive and recognition program to highlight and promote fishing throughout the state. Pick up your free copy of the California Fishing Passport book listing 150 different popular fresh and saltwater finfish and shellfish that occur throughout the state. Try to catch one of every species listed, and you will receive stamps in your passport book documenting each achievement.

Report lost fishing gear

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary/NOAA

Lost fishing gear - both commercial and recreational - sits on the seafloor, gets caught on rocks, and floats in the water column. Lost gear can remain in the marine environment for years, harming habitats and continuing to catch fish and invertebrates.

Please report sightings of lost recreational and commercial fishing gear. Anonymous reports are accepted.

1-888-491-GEAR or www.lostfishinggear.org