Free Fishing Days: Californians can fish for free on these days in 2024

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- As summer approaches, so do opportunities to fish for free in the state of California.

For those new to fishing or who just want to try it out, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) offers two Free Fishing Days every year.

Fourth of July weekend this year marks the first Free Fishing Day in the Golden State, with the other coinciding with the end of summer and the start of school during the weekend of Labor Day.

This year, California's Free Fishing Days fall on Saturday, July 6, and Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

The state of California normally requires fishing licenses for sport fishing and commercial fishing.

The Free Fishing Days give people the opportunity to fish without purchasing a license, while all fishing regulations -- bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures -- remain in effect.

CDFW says on Free Fishing Days, every angler must have the appropriate report card if they are fishing for:

• steelhead
• sturgeon
• or salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity River Systems.

The free fishing opportunities are designed to educate beginners about fishing ethics, fish habits, effective methods for catching fish and fishing tackle, CDFW says.

Some CDFW Regions also offer a Fishing in the City program where you can go fishing in the middle of metropolitan areas, sometimes even just a few blocks from your house.