California Department of Fish and Wildlife – August 14, 2024
As a kid, I enjoyed fishing. The last time I fished was in Bear Bear while pregnant with my first child. That was over 50 years ago. I’ve wanted to get back into fishing, but was surprised to learn how much a fishing license can cost.
Let’s look at FREE fishing.
Here’s the good news: There is no fee to fish from a public pier in California’s ocean or bay waters if you’re fishing recreationally. There’s a public pier off B Street in Crescent City also known as the Michael J. Scavuzzo Pier.
Here’s the other news: However, you must follow other regulations, such as: minimum size, bag limits, report cards, and seasons.
Starting with Crab: You can fish for crab from December through July. We’re in August so forget this for now. Then there’s Rockfish, Sharks, California halibut, Jacksmelt, Surf smelt, and Surfperch. For example you can only catch 10 rockfish. I love eating rockfish and can get it at the local Crescent Seafood Restaurant so let’s start there.
Vermillion rockfish: 10 inches in total length
Black rockfish: 12 inches in total length
Canary rockfish: 15 inches in total length
Next is this question: What’s a report card? I couldn’t find one for rockfish but here’s an example for steelhead.
Finally, is there a season for catching rock fish? Yep. During May, June, July, August, and September – rock fishing is allowed only less than 20 fathoms before returning to deeper than 50 fathoms in October. If you’re ignorant like I am, then here’s the definition of a fathom. It’s a unit of length equal to 6 feet. So less than 20 fathoms would be less than 120 feet.
Check out YouTube video’s about catching rockfish from piers. Suggestions I would take: Bait; worms, squid, shrimp but one guy said anchovies work the best. Drop your line to the bottom as rockfish like being among seaweed, kelp, rocks and pilings and love to live within the pilings. Then leave your line in place and wait for a bite. They say the best times to fish are in the early morning and at sunset.
Then in addition to a fishing rod think about fishing gear like a bucket, drop net, pliers, filleting knife, polarized sun glasses and a folding lightweight picnic chair.
Words to the wise: Don’t leave you gear unattended. Do leave enough room for others and clean your spot when you leave.
In California, a sport fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older attempting to take fish, mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates, amphibians, or reptiles in inland or ocean waters (unless fishing from a public pier).
Again, you DO NOT NEED a fishing license when fishing from a public pier. But all other regulations still apply. If you do want to fish someplace else and you get caught, the fine can range between $100-1,000.
Whew! Who knew there was so much information and regulation about FREE fishing? Suggestion: Look these things up before you go.
