Fishing 101
Rachel Burkett
New to fishing? No problem!
Jigs, sinkers, spinners, chumming, trolling, leaders, lines, lures…confused yet? With thousands of fishing products, strict regulations, and seemingly endless bodies of California water to explore, heading out on your first few fishing trips can be overwhelming, and we want to make it easier for you. In this article, you will find links and information related to best fishing practices that will help you be knowledgeable and prepared – even if you already have some experience with fishing!
Fishing Licenses & Regulations
First things first, the state of California requires that anyone 16 and older fishing for sport obtain a license, even nonresidents. These can be bought online, or in person (many sporting goods stores like Walmart, Big 5, local tackle shops, etc. sell fishing licenses.)
If you are new to sportfishing and not sure if you’ll enjoy it, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife offers two FREE Fishing Days every year! On these days, you can fish without a license and give fishing a try at no cost to you. In 2021, these fishing days fall on July 3 and September 4.
Once you obtain the proper license, it is important to plan where you would like to fish and educate yourself on any fishing regulations in that area; these can usually be found on the website of the park or region you’re visiting, or you can call the nearest ranger station for resources.
Leave No Trace™
Popular fishing spots can often be bustling with eager anglers waiting for a bite. Camp-California always promotes that outdoor adventurers of all kinds practice Leave No Trace™ – whether you’re going for a walk in your local park, or heading out on a deep, backwoods backpacking adventure.
© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center
for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Catch and Release
You’ve heard the phrase before, but now it’s time to put it in perspective! Practicing catch and release fishing improves native fish populations by allowing healthy fish to reproduce within their ecosystem. In turn, catch and release provides the opportunity for more people to enjoy fishing popular spots and share in the thrill of catching a fish for generations to come.
Catching and releasing does take practice, and it is important to only release healthy fish back into the water. The National Park Service has a great comprehensive article on everything you need to know to help maintain aquatic ecosystems through practicing catch and release.
