California anglers can now purchase a sport fishing license valid from the date of purchase for 365 continuous days. Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 817 (Jim Wood, D-Healdsburg), allowing a transition of California’s fishing license validity from a calendar year to a full 365 days from purchase. Prior to this change, anglers who purchased their license after Jan. 1 were charged the same price for fewer days of fishing. This change allows anglers to receive 365 days' worth of benefits after purchasing a license any time of year.

In addition to resident and nonresident sport fishing licenses, all sport fishing validations (Second-rod, Ocean Enhancement and Recreational Crab Trap) will be valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

As in previous years, anglers have the option to sign up for auto-renewal of their sport fishing licenses, report cards and validations through CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website. For more information about sport fishing license auto-renewal, please refer to the Auto-Renewal Frequently Asked Questions on CDFW’s website.

You can purchase a California sport fishing license from CDFW authorized license sales agents, select CDFW offices, via telephone at (800) 565-1458 or online 24 hours a day. 

PURCHASE YOUR 2023 SPORT FISHING LICENSE  >