Get Ready to Go Fishing — Without a License

If the thought of spending $43 on a sportfishing license has kept you from throwing a line or two in the water, hesitate no more.

On Saturday, July 2, the California Department of Fish and Game is suspending its license requirements for sportfishing. The date is one of two days this year that the agency considers it legal to fish without a license for those age 16 and older.

Not all fishing requirements have been relaxed. Fish and Game still requires that anglers comply with bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures.

In addition, the agency emphasizes that those fishing for abalone, steelhead, sturgeon, spiny lobster or salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity River systems must also complete a report card detailing the nature of the catch. More information about report cards and the cost for each type can be found on the Fish and Game website here.

Current regulations for both ocean sportfishing and freshwater sportfishing in California are detailed here.

The second free fishing day in California will take place on Saturday, September 3.

For more information about the new sportfishing license requirements implemented by California Fish and Game in 2011, read the article titled ""