When is trout (rainbow, brown, brook) season in California?

Sierra district streams: last Sat in April – Nov 15. Lowland waters and most stocked lakes: year-round. Those are the 2026 California dates; always confirm against California Department of Fish and Wildlife before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.

What is the California bag limit for trout (rainbow, brown, brook)?

The California daily bag limit for trout (rainbow, brown, brook) is 5 / day on most general-regulation waters; 2 / day on listed wild-trout streams. The possession limit is 10 in possession (general waters). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size trout (rainbow, brown, brook) can you keep in California?

The California size rule for trout (rainbow, brown, brook) is No statewide minimum; wild-trout waters carry 10–18 in minimums.

Do you need a license to fish for trout (rainbow, brown, brook) in California?

Yes. California requires a valid fishing license to fish for trout (rainbow, brown, brook), 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 trout (rainbow, brown, brook) in California?

Yes. In California, trout (rainbow, brown, brook) fishing carries these gear rules: Wild-trout waters: artificial lures only, single barbless hook, often catch-and-release; General waters: bait, lure, or fly permitted; Sierra wilderness lakes: float tubes and shore-fishing only on some lakes.

Do specific California waters have different trout (rainbow, brown, brook) rules?

Yes. 5 named California waters carry rules that override the statewide trout (rainbow, brown, brook) regulation, including Hot Creek (Mono County), Upper Sacramento River, Lake Tahoe, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

California Trout (rainbow, brown, brook) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Oncorhynchus mykiss / Salmo trutta / Salvelinus fontinalis

Last updated June 9, 2026

California's trout fishery is split between Sierra district streams (traditional Last-Saturday-in-April opener) and lowland year-round waters. Wild-trout streams carry a separate set of artificial-only / barbless / catch-and-release rules.

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Season

Sierra district streams: last Sat in April – Nov 15. Lowland waters and most stocked lakes: year-round.

Apr 25 – Nov 15Sierra district streams

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 5 / day on most general-regulation waters; 2 / day on listed wild-trout streams
Possession: 10 in possession (general waters)

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: No statewide minimum; wild-trout waters carry 10–18 in minimums

Gear restrictions

Wild-trout waters: artificial lures only, single barbless hook, often catch-and-release
General waters: bait, lure, or fly permitted
Sierra wilderness lakes: float tubes and shore-fishing only on some lakes

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific California waters:

Hot Creek (Mono County)
Wild-trout water: artificial lures only, single barbless, catch-and-release year-round
Upper Sacramento River
Special slot, barbless single hook in catch-and-release sections
Lake Tahoe
Main lake open all year (5 trout / 10 possession); mackinaw 2 / day, 24 in min; tributaries + within 300 ft of their mouths: Sat before Memorial Day – Sep 30, 0 trout, artificial lures barbless only
Fall River (Shasta County)
Drift-boat-only sections; artificial lures, barbless
Crowley Lake
Stocked rainbows + Sacramento perch — annual special opener

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

Trout (rainbow, brown, brook) 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 trout (rainbow, brown, brook) season in California?: Sierra district streams: last Sat in April – Nov 15. Lowland waters and most stocked lakes: year-round. Those are the 2026 California dates; always confirm against California Department of Fish and Wildlife before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
What is the California bag limit for trout (rainbow, brown, brook)?: The California daily bag limit for trout (rainbow, brown, brook) is 5 / day on most general-regulation waters; 2 / day on listed wild-trout streams. The possession limit is 10 in possession (general waters). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size trout (rainbow, brown, brook) can you keep in California?: The California size rule for trout (rainbow, brown, brook) is No statewide minimum; wild-trout waters carry 10–18 in minimums.
Do you need a license to fish for trout (rainbow, brown, brook) in California?: Yes. California requires a valid fishing license to fish for trout (rainbow, brown, brook), 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 trout (rainbow, brown, brook) in California?: Yes. In California, trout (rainbow, brown, brook) fishing carries these gear rules: Wild-trout waters: artificial lures only, single barbless hook, often catch-and-release; General waters: bait, lure, or fly permitted; Sierra wilderness lakes: float tubes and shore-fishing only on some lakes.
Do specific California waters have different trout (rainbow, brown, brook) rules?: Yes. 5 named California waters carry rules that override the statewide trout (rainbow, brown, brook) regulation, including Hot Creek (Mono County), Upper Sacramento River, Lake Tahoe, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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