Fishing License
All anglers age 16 and above must have a valid freshwater fishing license to take any fish from the California Delta. Fishing licenses are available to both residents and nonresidents for an annual permit or short-term permit that ranges from one to 10 consecutive days.
Season
You can find many species in the Delta, including bluegill, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, crappie, channel catfish, bullhead catfish, salmon, steelhead and sturgeon. For channel catfish and bullhead, fishing season is open all year without any possession and size limits. For striped bass, fishing season is open all year with a daily bag limit of two and a minimum size of 18 inches. You are allowed to fish for sturgeon all year with a daily bag limit of one and a minimum size of 46 inches with a maximum size of six feet. Always check with the California Department of Fish and Game for the most current sport fishing regulations, as rules may change each year.
Hook and Weight Restrictions
Fishing hook and weight restrictions are enforced on the Delta. You cannot use a single hook with a gap greater than one inch or any multiple hook with a gap bigger than 3/4 inch. Gap is defined by the California Department of Fish and Game as the distance measured from the point of a hook to the shank.
Article Written By Rona Aquino
Rona Aquino began writing professionally in 2008. As an avid marathon runner and outdoor enthusiast, she writes on topics of running, fitness and outdoor recreation for various publications. Aquino holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and English from the University of Maryland College Park.
