Feel like fresh seafood? Saturday is Free Fishing Day in California.
It’s one of two days in the year when people can try their hand at fishing without having to buy a sport fishing license. The Department of Fish and Game offers two Free Fishing Days each year—usually around the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend—when it’s legal to fish without a sport fishing license. This year, the Free Fishing Days were set for the Saturdays following Independence Day and Labor Day (July 7 and Sept. 8).
The day is designed to let residents get a taste of local fishing before deciding to invest in an annual license. All fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect. Every angler must have an appropriate report card if they are fishing for abalone, steelhead, sturgeon or spiny lobster anywhere in the state, or salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity River systems.
Anglers should check the rules and regulations at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/ for the waters they plan to fish. Wardens will be on duty to enforce them.
