Kick off the new year with a rod in hand. Whether casting from the shore, launching a boat or drilling through the ice, January offers exciting fishing opportunities across California. From trout and bass in inland lakes to steelhead runs along the coast, embrace the season and make good on that resolution to fish more.
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Cast into the New Year: Trout Are Biting
The holidays may be winding down, but it’s a great time to keep the festive spirit alive by heading outdoors to fish with friends and family. As winter settles in, CDFW continues to stock local lakes and ponds, creating excellent opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. Visiting a local waterway is a fun way to unwind and enjoy the fresh air after the holiday rush. Winter trout season offers plenty of reasons to introduce someone new to fishing or get outdoors and stay active. Check the Fish Planting Schedule to see where trout have been stocked, and use the California Inland Recreational Angler Survey (CIRAS) to report your catch and discover new fishing spots.
Rockfish, Cabezon, Greenling and Lingcod Boat-Based Season Now Closed
From Jan. 1, 2026, through Mar. 31, 2026, the boat-based fishery for rockfish, cabezon, greenling and lingcod is closed. Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from the closure. During the closed season, all types of fishing gear, except spearfishing gear, is prohibited aboard the vessel or watercraft (motorized or non-motorized) when taking and/or possessing rockfish, cabezon, greenling and lingcod. Other groundfish species, such as federal flatfish (including Pacific sanddabs, Petrale sole and starry flounder) and sablefish, are open year-round at all depths for boat-based anglers. Refer to the CDFW Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations webpage to stay up to date on regulations and season closures.
Attention Steelhead Anglers!
Make your 2026 New Year’s resolution to catch more steelhead! Before heading out on your next trip, be sure to pick up your 2026 Steelhead Report Card. Report cards can be purchased online, at any CDFW License Agent or at a CDFW License Sales Office. As a reminder for 2025 cardholders, reporting is mandatory and runs from Jan. 1through Jan. 31. Reporting instructions can be found at the bottom of the card.
New to steelhead fishing or curious about angler-reported data? Explore the Steelhead Report Card Data Dashboard an interactive tool displaying annual catch and effort information submitted by steelhead anglers like you!
California Sheephead Boat-Based Season Now Closed
From Jan. 1, 2026, through Feb. 28, 2026, the boat-based fishery for California sheephead is closed. Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from the closure. During the closed season, all types of fishing gear, except spearfishing gear, is prohibited to be aboard the vessel or watercraft (motorized or non-motorized) when taking and/or possessing California sheephead.
Autorenewal Available for Fishing Licenses
Make renewing your California fishing license easier than ever by enrolling in CDFW’s autorenewal program. With autorenewal, you’ll never have to worry about forgetting to renew your annual license, ensuring uninterrupted access to your favorite fisheries. To activate autorenewal, visit the CDFW licensing website, create or log into your account, add a payment method and select the items you want automatically renewed. CDFW will issue your new items before your current ones expire, and you’ll receive an email reminder before your payment method is charged. It’s convenient, secure and helps you stay ready for every fishing opportunity without the last-minute scramble. Click here to learn more about the Autorenewal Program.
CDFW Partners with International Sportsmen’s Expo in Sacramento!
The International Sportsmen’s Exposition (ISE) is coming to Sacramento Jan. 15 –18. CDFW staff will be on site and available to answer questions in the Fishing, Hunting, and Youth Fair buildings. CDFW Wildlife Officers will also be stationed outdoors with their outreach trailer. We hope to see you there!
Help Shape How You Access Hunting & Fishing Regulations
California’s hunting and fishing regulations are currently offered as digital PDF’s. Before a statewide effort to reduce paper use, these regulations were distributed in seven printed booklets. CDFW’s Regulations Unit has received requests to restore printed booklets and offer versions in additional languages. A short survey has been created to gauge public preferences on printed and digital regulation materials. The survey is anonymous unless you choose to share your contact information.
Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) Photo of the Month!
CDFW’s R3 team thanks you for the hundreds of fishing photos you’ve shared. Seeing Californians enjoy the states outdoor resources always puts a smile on our faces. This month, we’re highlighting Brooklyn M. and her California spiny lobster! After catching this beautiful lobster, Brooklyn released it back to its natural habitat. Thanks for the photo, Brooklyn!
Photo Submission Terms and Conditions
CDFW is Looking for Landowners!
The Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) program develops partnerships with landowners to improve fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities through random drawings. The program incentivizes private landowners to create opportunities for unique and rewarding recreational experiences in exchange for financial compensation and full liability protection. CDFW is currently looking for fishing properties with a variety of water types to serve the diverse interests and skills of recreational anglers. Check out our website or contact the SHARE Fisheries Coordinator to learn how you can help get more people outside and enjoying nature.
CDFW Highlights a Sierra Nevada Icon for its 2026 Warden Stamp Series: The California Golden Trout
The 2026 Warden Stamp features the California golden trout, the state’s official freshwater fish and a native species found in the high-elevation streams of the southern Sierra Nevada. Known for its vibrant colors and limited range, the golden trout is a symbol of California’s wild waters. By featuring the golden trout on the 2026 Warden Stamp, CDFW celebrates this iconic species and encourages anglers to explore its native waters through the California Heritage Trout Challenge. To purchase the stamp online, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click “Continue as Guest.” Then Click the 2026 Warden Stamps tab and follow prompts to check out. Find more Warden Stamp info here.
Ice Fishing for Hungry Trout Heats Up in Plumas County!
An often-overlooked way to catch winter trout in California requires getting out onto the ice. Plumas County offers excellent ice fishing opportunities with most lakes in the County sitting within a two-and-a-half-hour drive northeast of Sacramento. Lake Davis is a standout destination with many trophy-sized rainbow trout being caught from under the ice each year. Gear and techniques may vary by location, but a great starting point is to suspend nightcrawlers off the bottom or retrieve micro-spoons or jigs throughout the water column until you find the depth the fish are holding. Remember to always exercise caution and be safe when on the ice.
New Pet for the Holidays? Remember – “Don’t Let it Loose, California!”
If a new fish, pet turtle or snake joined your household this holiday season, please remember many animals available for adoption or purchase are not native to California. When released into the wild, these animals disrupt ecosystems and become invasive species. Invasive species are harmful to the plants and animals native to California ecosystems. Read more about responsible ways to part with unwanted pets at the link below.
CDFW Fish Truck Tracker
This month enjoy firsthand the millions of trout CDFW has been raising and planting each year that support the state’s fishing opportunities. To view trout planting schedules, visit the fish planting website.
By purchasing a fishing license in California, you are providing a dedicated source of funding for management and protection of the state’s fisheries and for fish hatchery operation. Purchasing a sport fishing license also helps support California’s long-standing fishing heritage for today and future generations.
Thank you for fishing in California!