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Freshwater Fishing in California
California Fishing at a Glance
From its scenic mountains and rivers to picturesque coastline, California is a nature-lover’s paradise. And with such diverse landscapes come plenty of opportunities for thrilling fishing experiences.
There are many great freshwater fishing spots all throughout California. In the northern part of the state, some of the best rivers to fish include the Klamath River, Eel River, and Sacramento River. In central California, lakes like Bass Lake and Shaver Lake are great for trout fishing, while ponds like San Luis Reservoir offer good fishing for bass and catfish. In southern California, the Santa Ana River is a great place to fish for largemouth bass, while the Colorado River is a good spot for channel catfish.
Before you set out, it’s important to be aware of the many different regulations that govern freshwater fishing in California. The most important regulation to be aware of is the size limit for fish. This regulation varies depending on the type of fish being caught and the location where you are fishing (see state links below for more details).
California ranks #46 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita and has a good number of local fishing enhtusiasts with over 4.07% of the population having fishing licenses.
Key Insights
- California has diverse landscapes providing many opportunities for fishing
- There are several great freshwater fishing spots throughout the state
- Before fishing, it’s important to know the regulations, especially the size limit for fish
- California ranks #46 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita, with over 4.07% of the population having fishing licenses
Table of Contents
Estimated Fishing Enthusiasts
| Population: | 39,538,223 |
|---|---|
| Fishing Enthusiasts | 1,610,510 |
| Fishing License % | 4.07% |
| Hunters Rank | 46 |
The state of California is mostly private land with 42% of acres considered public land -ranking #7 amongst all states.
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 99,822,700 | ||
| Public | 42,288,380 | 42.36% | 7 |
| Private | 57,013,420 | 57.11% | 42 |
| Tribal | 520,900 | 0.52% | 16 |
California Fishing Licenses & Requirements
For the most accurate and updated information on fishing licenses and requirements, it’s always a good idea to check the California DNR. We’ve provided their contact information and other helpful information for your convenience here.
California DNR
1416 9th Street
12th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
- (916) 445-0411
The most popular types of river or stream fish to fish for in California are salmon, steelhead, brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and bass. Each of these fish has its own unique behavior and habitat requirements, so remember to do your research before heading out on your fishing trip. For example, salmon are typically found in cold, deep waters while bluegill tend to prefer shallower, warmer streams. Understanding the habits of the fish you are targeting will help you have a more successful and enjoyable fishing experience.
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Fishing private land in California
Fishing on private land in California has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in California or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.
1. The Salton Sea
2. Lake Tahoe
3. The San Francisco Bay
4. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
5. Clear Lake
Fishing private land in California
Fishing on private land in California has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in California or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.