2026 regulation year
California Striped bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
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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.
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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
Colorado River District
Separate shared CA–AZ rule: 10 striped bass / day, no size limit (not the statewide 2 / 18 in)
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.
Visit official California fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
Striped bass closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to California Department of Fish and Wildlife's emergency-order feed — check it before any California trip during the active season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is striped bass season in California?
- California keeps striped bass open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
- What is the California bag limit for striped bass?
- The California daily bag limit for striped bass is 2 / day. The possession limit is 4 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
- What size striped bass can you keep in California?
- The California size rule for striped bass is 18 in minimum.
- Do you need a license to fish for striped bass in California?
- Yes. California requires a valid fishing license to fish for striped bass, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a California license — compare resident and non-resident California fees on the state regulations page below.
- Are there gear restrictions for striped bass in California?
- Yes. In California, striped bass fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line only (sport take); No snagging in spawning tributaries during run.
- Do specific California waters have different striped bass rules?
- Yes. 5 named California waters carry rules that override the statewide striped bass regulation, including California Delta, San Francisco Bay, Lake Castaic, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.