The 2025 fishing season in Los Angeles is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. From casting lines off the iconic Santa Monica Pier to chasing yellowtail near Catalina Island, LA offers a rare blend of city access and natural variety that few places can match.
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just getting started, being prepared — with the right license, gear, and seasonal knowledge — makes all the difference.
Of course, good preparation sometimes comes with a cost. Tackle upgrades, charter bookings, and permit fees can add up fast. Even with a tight budget, loan options for LA anglers can help ensure you don’t miss out on top spots, licenses, or limited-time gear deals in 2025. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need — legally, practically, and financially — to make the most of every cast this season.
Fishing Licenses in California
Anyone 16 or older in California must have a sport fishing license to fish in freshwater or saltwater. This applies to both residents and visitors, even if you’re going with a guide or on a charter. There are a few exceptions:
- Public piers. You don’t need a license to fish from public piers or jetties in California’s ocean or bay waters. The state allows tourists and casual anglers to drop a line there for free. Just follow the usual rules about fish size and catch limits.
- Free fishing days. No license is required statewide on two days each year: July 5 and August 30, 2025. These Free Fishing Days let anyone try fishing without a license, making them a great way to introduce someone to the activity at no cost.
- Young anglers. Kids under 16 never need a license to fish in California. However, for certain species like sturgeon or steelhead, even minors must obtain a (free) report card to track catches.
You can purchase your fishing license online through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website or at many tackle shops and sporting goods stores. Annual licenses now last 365 days from the date of purchase.
An annual resident license costs about $62.80, while a non-resident annual license is around $169.82. Short-term options are available for visitors: a 1-day license is about $20.50, and a 2-day license is around $31.60. There’s also a 10-day license for out-of-state anglers. If you’re a California resident who plans to fish regularly, the annual license is the most cost-effective option.
Fishing without a valid license can result in hefty fines. Wardens patrol popular spots in the LA area. Revenue from license sales supports fish stocking, conservation efforts, and improvements in fishing access.
CDFW issued nearly 2 million sport fishing licenses in 2020. Buying your license keeps you compliant and contributes to fisheries management. Always carry your license while fishing, and check whether any additional validations or report cards are required for your target species.
Gear for the Fishing Season
The equipment you’ll need will depend on whether you’re targeting saltwater or freshwater species, but let’s cover the basics for both:
- Rod and reel. A medium spinning or baitcasting combo in the 6–7 foot range is a good all-around start for freshwater, able to handle Largemouth Bass, trout, or catfish. A longer 8–10-foot rod helps cast farther for saltwater pier and surf fishing. If you’re after heavier hitters like Yellowtail or White Seabass, you’ll need a rod rated for a 20–40 lb line.
- Line. Match your line to your quarry. Freshwater fishing in local lakes usually calls for 6–12 lb test lines. In saltwater, a 20–30 lb line is standard for pier or beach fishing, and a braided line of 40–65 lb is often used on ocean charters for strength and sensitivity.
- Tackle and baits. Your tackle box should include an assortment of hooks, sinkers or weights, and a variety of lures. Soft plastic baits and crankbaits are effective for Largemouth Bass in lakes. For ocean fishing, bring sabiki rigs, metal jigs or spoons for jigging, and perhaps some pre-tied surf leader rigs for surfperch.
- Other essentials. Don’t forget a decent pair of pliers (for hook removal), a landing net if you’re fishing from shore, and a tackle bag or box to organize your gear. Polarized sunglasses are highly recommended. Sunscreen, a hat, and a small first aid kit are wise additions. A pair of water-resistant boots or waders will keep you comfortable as well.
Many local shops in Los Angeles offer quality combos for beginners at reasonable prices. If you’re trying saltwater fishing for the first time, you can rent gear from many fishing piers.
Top Fishing Spots in Los Angeles
Some of the most popular fishing spots in the Los Angeles area are:
Santa Monica Pier
This 2,000-foot historic pier is a must-visit. It’s an LA landmark and a legitimate fishing spot in the city. No license is required here because it’s a public pier, making it beginner-friendly. Anglers catch mackerel, perch, bass, rays, and even the occasional small shark from the pier. It does get crowded, so try fishing early in the morning for a calmer experience.
Santa Monica Bay
Just off Los Angeles, the bay is home to more than 30 species of sport fish. It’s a top spot for deep-sea trips. Depending on the time of year, you might catch Calico Bass, Rockfish, Halibut, Barracuda, or Yellowtail. Sunken ships and rubble have formed artificial reefs, giving fish plenty of places to live.
Catalina Island
Located about 22 miles offshore, Santa Catalina Island is Southern California’s crown jewel for fishing. Many full-day and overnight charters from LA head here. The waters hold Calico Bass, Yellowtail, California Sheephead, and even Yellowfin Tuna and Dorado in summer. You can also fish from Catalina’s shore or piers if you visit the island’s two towns (Avalon and Two Harbors).
These are just a few highlights. Los Angeles and the surrounding region feature many other hotspots, so you could fish every weekend in 2025 and never get bored.
Boat Charters and Fishing Trips in Los Angeles
If you want to catch the most fish, try a charter boat. Los Angeles has lots of fishing charters that can take you to offshore and coastal spots you can’t reach from land. There are many sportfishing charter boats operating throughout Los Angeles. Here’s what you need to know:
- Charter boats. Hiring a private charter or joining a small-group charter is the most effective way to experience LA’s sport fishing. You’ll get a licensed captain who knows the local waters. They handle the boat, find the fish, and often provide all the gear and bait. You can choose trips for 4–5 hours, a full day, or even multi-day overnight trips. The average half-day charter in Los Angeles costs around $1,000, and a full-day charter costs around $1,800 for a private boat.
- Party boats (open boats). Large vessels take out 20, 30, or even 50 anglers at once. A typical rate might be ~$60–$80 per person for a half-day, not including tackle rental or fish cleaning. Depending on the season, these boats target abundant species, such as rockfish, sculpin, sand bass, or bonito. Beginners are welcome as the crew will often help you rig and show you how to bait your hook.
- Other options. If boats aren’t your thing, you can still have a blast fishing from shore. Beach surf fishing in LA can be excellent, especially in summer, for surfers, corbina, and halibut along Zuma or Dockweiler. There are also a few clubs where you can rent a fishing kayak.
What to Expect on a Charter
Most charters include rod/reel rental if needed and all the bait, and they’ll have a fish cleaning service available. Always arrive at the dock at least 30 minutes early because boats leave on schedule. Bring a cooler bag (to leave in your car) to take home fish fillets. Tipping the crew is customary (15-20% is standard if they are helpful). If you tend to get seasick, bring some medicine.
When Does the Fishing Season in California Start?
There’s no off-season. You can catch fish during every month of the year. In March and April, inland lakes warm up, and ocean currents bring in baitfish and migrating species. March often means trout stocking in lowland lakes and a shift from winter surf fishing to livelier spring bites. The mountain trout season opens in April, and offshore bottom fishing resumes.
All prime fisheries (trout, bass, offshore gamefish) are in full swing by May and June as the weather stabilizes. So, while you can catch calico bass in January or catfish in December, the peak fishing season in Los Angeles runs from late spring through summer and into early fall.
When Is Trout Season in California?
California has many lakes and streams where you can always catch trout. But in the high mountains, a special season starts once a year. Each year, it’s the last Saturday of April. In 2025, that falls on April 26. Around Los Angeles, urban lakes get trout stocked in winter, usually from November through March, when the water stays cool.
State regulations establish the daily bag limit in most California waters is five trout. Some special-regulation streams require catch and release or have smaller limits. Always check the CDFW rules for the specific water body. Also, you may need a report card if you’re fishing for trout (or salmon) in anadromous waters (like certain rivers).
Rock Fish Season in Southern California
It is a general term for dozens of species, including rock cod, red snapper, lingcod, sheepshead, and others. In Southern California, the boat-based rockfish season is closed in the first part of the year and opens up in spring. For 2025, boat anglers had to wait until April 1, 2025. Rock fishing is allowed from then on, with some depth restrictions that change mid-season. Specifically, January 1 – March 31 is a closed period.
These rules protect fish living in deep water when they spawn. Consider CDFW’s ocean rule summaries because season dates and depth limits can change yearly. For 2025, you can keep up to 10 rockfish and 2 lingcod daily.
When Is Bass Season?
Bass fishing is open yearly, and there’s no closed season. But their activity depends on the water temperature. Spring and fall offer the hottest bass action in Southern California. March-May is when bass moves shallow to spawn. They become aggressive in late pre-spawn and can be caught on reaction lures. In late spring and early summer, bass feed actively. In fall, they feed hard before winter, the slowest season.
Some lakes might disallow bass harvest in winter. But in Los Angeles and most of SoCal, you can fish for bass any time. Be mindful that many local lakes encourage catch-and-release for bass, especially big females. California has a rule that you may not use trout or salmon as live bait for bass, and some lakes have slot limits.
Salmon Season in California
Unfortunately, 2025 is not looking good for ocean salmon fishing. The season in California has been severely restricted due to low fish populations. Regulators have closed the commercial salmon fishery for the third year, and recreational salmon fishing is limited to only a few days in 2025. This is a statewide issue that mainly affects the coastal waters of Central and Northern California.
Drought and water management have hurt salmon spawning and survival. For everyday anglers, you cannot fish for ocean salmon in California in 2025, except on a very limited opener up north. Always check the latest CDFW Marine Bulletin if you intend to try it.
Final Thought
You’re well-prepared for a successful 2025 fishing season in Los Angeles. The region truly offers something for everyone. Plan. Get the license sorted, schedule any charter trips early, and organize your tackle for the species you want to target. Check the latest regulations before you head out. Good luck and tight lines in 2025!