2026 regulation year
California Striped bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Morone saxatilis
Last updated
Striped bass in California are concentrated in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. The statewide rule (2 / day, 18 in minimum) is steady — no slot — and applies year-round.
Season
Open year-round Open year-round.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 2 / day
- Possession
- 4 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 18 in minimum
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line only (sport take)
- No snagging in spawning tributaries during run
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific California waters:
California Delta
Statewide 18 in / 2 fish; striper-derby reporting popular
San Francisco Bay
Statewide rule plus report-card validation
Lake Castaic
Land-locked striper; statewide 18 in / 2 fish
Lake Pyramid
Land-locked striper; trolling popular, statewide rule
Official source
California Department of Fish and Wildlife publishes the authoritative 2026 Californiafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.