California Free Fishing Day and Grunion Run Coincide on July 7, 2012
In a simple twist of fate’s good fortune, you can hunt for grunion free without a fishing license today, according to the State of California (dfg.gov) website. But you must do so before the stroke of midnight. The expected grunion run tonight is unfortunately at 12:35 a.m. on July 8 – 2:35 a.m. July 8, 2012. This presents a challenge for those seeking to participate free. You can go till 11:59 p.m. on July 7 but may not catch anything. If you want to stick around you need to pick up a license today before you go to assure you won’t be ticketed for sticking around after the stroke of midnight. Kids under 16 can always fish free but must be with adults when they fish. If you really want to learn about the grunion, there’s just one Grunion Greeter Event remaining at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. It takes place July 20, 2012.
Free Fishing days July 7 and September 8, 2012
The excitement of watching your bobber suddenly jiggle, then dive out of sight and the tap-tap-tap of a fish as it tastes the worm on the end of your line, or having one practically tear the rod out of your hands as it smashes your lure are all thrills you may feel when you experience the sport of fishing. While fishing off California public piers is free every day, to fish in the ocean directly or in a public lake normally requires a license.
California Department of Fish & Game (DFG) offers two Free Fishing Days each year. On these days, you can fish without a sport fishing license. On Free Fishing Days fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect. However, there are two days each year when anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license. On Free Fishing Days, every angler must have the appropriate report card if they are fishing for (if applicable):
- abalone
- steelhead
- sturgeon
- spiny lobster
- salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity Rivers
