Island Spear Co.

Regulations California

Spearfishing Regulations in California

Checked against the primary source (CDFW) on July 5, 2026state

Governing agency: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Last verified July 5, 2026 by independent primary-source check.

Summary

Spearfishing is legal and popular in California's ocean waters with a California sport fishing license, and — unusually — California explicitly permits SCUBA and other underwater breathing devices while spearfishing fin fish. Divers must avoid a short list of protected fin fish (giant/black sea bass, garibaldi, groupers, trout, salmon, broadbill swordfish, white shark), may not spear within 100 yards of a stream mouth north of Ventura County, and may not take spiny lobster with a spear (hand only). The biggest practical complication is California's dense network of Marine Protected Areas: State Marine Reserves ban all take including spearfishing, and many State Marine Conservation Areas prohibit or restrict it. Freshwater spearing is tightly limited to a few listed rough/nongame species in specific districts and seasons; game fish may never be speared.

License

What you need to be legal

LegalA license is required
License
California Sport Fishing License (with Ocean Enhancement Validation where applicable)
Who needs it
Any person 16 years of age or older must have a valid California sport fishing license to take or attempt to take fish, including by spearfishing, in ocean or fresh water 5. An Ocean Enhancement Validation is additionally required to fish in ocean waters south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County) 5. Report cards are separately required for certain species regardless of age (e.g., spiny lobster, abalone, sturgeon, steelhead, salmon) 5.
Resident cost
Annual resident sport fishing license $64.54; one-day $21.09; two-day $32.40. Ocean Enhancement Validation $7.30 (required south of Point Arguello; not required with a one- or two-day license) 5. Costs are 2026 CDFW figures and are adjusted annually.
Non-resident cost
Annual nonresident sport fishing license $174.14; ten-day nonresident $64.54; one-day $21.09; two-day $32.40. Ocean Enhancement Validation $7.30 where applicable 5.
Where to buy
Online through CDFW's Online License Sales and Service site, at license agents (tackle shops and sporting goods stores), at CDFW license sales offices, or by phone at (800) 565-1458 5.

Exemptions

  • Persons under 16 years of age do not need a sport fishing license (but must still obtain any required report cards for species such as spiny lobster and abalone) 5
  • Anyone fishing on a designated Free Fishing Day (CDFW designates two per year) may fish without a license, though all other regulations still apply 5
  • Reduced-fee and free license options exist for qualifying low-income seniors (65+), disabled veterans, recovering service members, and certain persons with disabilities, with proper documentation 5

The full story

The full story: MPAs and the Ocean Enhancement line are where divers get caught

California's license itself is straightforward and genuinely enforced — anyone 16 or older needs a sport fishing license, it is actively issued and checked, and there is no law-vs-practice gap to flag. The real traps are geographic. California maintains 124 Marine Protected Areas covering roughly 16% of state waters 6. State Marine Reserves are 'no take of any kind,' so spearfishing is flatly banned inside them; State Marine Conservation Areas each have their own rules, and many prohibit spearfishing or allow only specific species. Because the boundaries are invisible from the water and change from cove to cove, the most common way an otherwise-legal diver breaks the law is by spearing a fish just inside a reserve line. CDFW publishes an interactive web map of MPA boundaries and rules — check it for every single dive site before entering the water 6.

The second geographic quirk is the Ocean Enhancement Validation. This $7.30 add-on is required to fish ocean waters south of Point Arguello (near the Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo county line) but not north of it 5. Southern California divers therefore need both the base license and the validation; northern divers need only the base license. Finally, note the two hand-only/closed fisheries a spearo will run into: spiny lobster must be taken by hand (spearing it is illegal, s7), and the recreational red abalone fishery is closed statewide (the Fish and Game Commission extended the closure in December 2025 to April 1, 2036), so abalone cannot be taken by any method including spear (s8, s9).

Where it's legal

Saltwater & freshwater

Saltwater

Legal

California has an extensive Pacific coastline and spearfishing is legal in its ocean waters with a sport fishing license. Section 28.90 provides that persons floating or swimming in the water may use spearfishing gear and skin or SCUBA diving equipment to take fin fish, subject to the protected-species list, the 100-yard stream-mouth rule, and Marine Protected Area boundaries (s1, s2). Spiny lobster may be taken by hand only, not by spear 7. The recreational red abalone fishery is closed statewide — extended by the Fish and Game Commission in December 2025 to April 1, 2036 — so abalone may not be taken by any method, including spearing (s8, s9).

Freshwater

Legal

Freshwater spearfishing is legal but tightly restricted. Under §2.30, spearfishing is limited to specific rough/nongame species in named districts and (in most areas) a May 1–September 15 season: the Colorado River District allows carp, tilapia, goldfish and mullet all year; the Valley District and Black Butte Lake allow American shad, carp, tilapia, goldfish, striped bass, Sacramento (western) sucker, Sacramento blackfish, hardhead, Sacramento pikeminnow and lamprey (May 1–Sep 15); and a stretch of the Kern River allows carp, goldfish, Sacramento sucker, hardhead and Sacramento pikeminnow (May 1–Sep 15) 4. Game fish — including trout, salmon, black bass and similar sport species — may NOT be taken by spear anywhere in fresh water. Numerous waters (e.g., in Shasta and most of Tehama County, and all designated salmon-spawning areas) are closed to spearing entirely, and local city/county ordinances may prohibit possession of projectile weapons 4.

Gear

What you can carry

Speargun
Allowed for lawful fin fish. California regulations define spearfishing generically (taking fish by spear or hand while in the water, §1.76) and permit 'spearfishing gear' to take fin fish (§28.90); they do not name specific devices, so spearguns are lawful under the general definition but are not called out by name (s3, s2).
Pole spear
Allowed for lawful fin fish under the same general spearfishing definition; pole spears are not individually named in the regulations (s3, s2).
Hawaiian sling
Allowed for lawful fin fish under the same general spearfishing definition; Hawaiian slings are not individually named in the regulations (s3, s2).
Spearfishing on SCUBA
Yes — explicitly. Section 1.76 defines spearfishing as taking fish by spear or hand by persons in the water who 'may be using underwater goggles, face plates, breathing tubes, SCUBA or other artificial underwater breathing device,' and §28.90 permits skin or SCUBA diving equipment to take fin fish. This makes California one of the more permissive states for SCUBA spearfishing of fin fish (s3, s2). Note that separate rules govern certain fisheries (e.g., spiny lobster is hand-only regardless of dive method) 7.

Gear restrictions

  • Spearfishing gear may not be possessed or used within 100 yards of the mouth of any stream in ocean waters north of Ventura County (§28.90) 2
  • Spiny lobster may be taken by hand only — no spears, snares, or hooked/mechanical devices 7
  • When spearfishing for federal groundfish species or greenlings (genus Hexagrammos) during a closed season/area, no fishing gear except spearfishing gear may be aboard the vessel or watercraft (§28.90) 2
  • Spears and harpoons may not be possessed or used aboard a vessel on any day or trip when broadbill swordfish or marlin have been taken (§28.95) 1
  • Local city and county ordinances may prohibit possession or use of projectile weapons (including spearfishing gear) — check local rules 4

What you'll see

Target species

A field guide to the fish a spearo may actually encounter along California's Pacific coast, kelp forests and offshore islands, with the nicknames local divers use. This is not exhaustive, and it is not a legality ruling. California's biggest spearfishing traps are geographic, not tropical: a short list of fully protected fin fish you must never shoot (giant/black sea bass and the bright-orange garibaldi are the two you WILL see), a dense network of Marine Protected Areas where spearfishing is banned or restricted, and seasonal depth closures on the rockfish/lingcod groundfish complex. Ciguatera is not a concern in California's cold water. Always confirm the current CDFW sizes, seasons and MPA boundaries before taking anything.

White Seabass

WSBGhost

Atractoscion nobilis

Restricted — verify
nearshore9-18 kg, up to ~40 kg / 1.5 m
Edibility & ciguatera
Excellent eating, mild white meat — one of the most prized spearfishing targets in California. No ciguatera risk in cold Pacific water. It is a large croaker, not a true bass.
Where you'll see it
Kelp edges, sand-channel drop-offs and nearshore reefs, often in the water column around bait balls; a wary, prized ambush target that spearos hunt from midwater in the kelp.
Legal status
Legal to spear. Minimum size 28 in total length (20.5 in alternate). Bag limit 3, BUT only 1 fish may be taken in waters south of Point Conception between March 15 and June 15. Verify the seasonal sublimit for your dive site.

California Yellowtail

YellowtailMossbackFirecracker

Seriola dorsalis

Legal to spear
pelagic4-14 kg, up to ~36 kg
Edibility & ciguatera
Excellent eating; a top California spear target. No ciguatera risk, but ice quickly — large jacks can develop scombroid (histamine) if left warm. Large resident fish are 'mossbacks'; small ones are 'firecrackers'.
Where you'll see it
Kelp beds, island pinnacles, current lines and offshore banks, usually cruising in the water column; fast, curious and often taken on a mid-water hunt around bait.
Legal status
Legal to spear year-round. Minimum size 24 in fork length, except up to 5 fish under 24 in may be taken; bag limit 10. Formerly classified as Seriola lalandi.

California Sheephead

SheepheadSheepie

Semicossyphus pulcher

Restricted — verify
reef1-5 kg, up to ~14 kg
Edibility & ciguatera
Very good eating, firm white meat; low mercury, no ciguatera. A prime reef spear target. All sheephead start female and change to male, so large males are old fish — take is capped.
Where you'll see it
Rocky reefs and kelp forests, crunching urchins and shellfish along the bottom; a curious, approachable reef fish. Males have the humped forehead and black-red-black pattern.
Legal status
Legal to spear. Minimum size 12 in total length, bag limit 2. Open year-round to divers and shore anglers; the boat-based season is set annually (March 1-December 31 in 2026). Verify current dates and limit.

Kelp Bass

Calico bassCalicoBull bass

Paralabrax clathratus

Legal to spear
reef0.5-2 kg, up to ~6 kg
Edibility & ciguatera
Very good eating, clean white meat; no ciguatera. A Southern California staple — universally called 'calico'. Large ones are 'bull bass'.
Where you'll see it
Kelp forests, reefs and rocky structure; holds tight to cover and is a classic sight-hunt inside the kelp canopy.
Legal status
Legal to spear year-round. Minimum size 14 in total length (10 in alternate). Bag limit 5 in any combination of kelp bass, barred sand bass and spotted sand bass (no more than 4 barred sand bass).

Barred Sand Bass

Sand bassSandie

Paralabrax nebulifer

Legal to spear
nearshore0.5-2 kg, up to ~4 kg
Edibility & ciguatera
Good eating, mild white meat; no ciguatera.
Where you'll see it
Sand flats and sand-reef edges, often near structure in the summer spawning aggregations; a common nearshore target. Its close relative the spotted sand bass ('spotty', Paralabrax maculatofasciatus) shares the same limits in bays and eelgrass.
Legal status
Legal to spear year-round. Minimum size 14 in total length (10 in alternate). Falls in the 5-fish Paralabrax aggregate (kelp/barred sand/spotted sand bass combined), of which no more than 4 may be barred sand bass.

California Halibut

FlattyBarn door

Paralichthys californicus

Legal to spear
bottom1-7 kg, 'barn doors' to ~30 kg
Edibility & ciguatera
Excellent eating, prized flatfish; no ciguatera. A large one is a 'barn door'.
Where you'll see it
Sand and mud bottom near reef, eelgrass or structure, buried and ambush-feeding; a top sand-flat spear target found by spotting the outline or eyes. Note it can lie on either side and has a large toothy mouth.
Legal status
Legal to spear year-round. Minimum size 22 in total length. Bag limit 5 south of Point Sur (Monterey County), 2 north of Point Sur (reduced from 3 by the Fish and Game Commission effective June 1, 2023). Confirm which side of the line you are diving.

California Barracuda

'CudaScooter

Sphyraena argentea

Legal to spear
pelagic1-3 kg, up to ~8 kg / 1.2 m
Edibility & ciguatera
Good eating fresh; ice immediately to avoid scombroid (histamine). This is the cool-water Pacific barracuda — unlike the tropical great barracuda it carries NO ciguatera risk. Small ones are 'scooters' or 'pencils'.
Where you'll see it
Nearshore and around kelp and islands in fast schools, high in the water column; a quick, flighty mid-water target.
Legal status
Legal to spear. Minimum size 28 in total length (17 in alternate). No dedicated numeric bag limit — falls under the general limit of 10 fish of any one species within 20 fish total (CCR §28.25).

Pacific Bonito

BonitoBones

Sarda chiliensis

Legal to spear
pelagic1-4 kg, up to ~5 kg
Edibility & ciguatera
Good eating with dark, rich, oily meat — best bled and iced immediately (high scombroid risk if left warm). No ciguatera. A member of the tuna/mackerel family.
Where you'll see it
Nearshore and offshore in fast, tightly-packed schools in the water column; an aggressive, hard-fighting mid-water target.
Legal status
Legal to spear. Bag limit 10; minimum size 24 in fork length or 5 lb, except up to 5 fish under that size may be taken (CCR §28.32).

Ocean Whitefish

Whitefish

Caulolatilus princeps

Legal to spear
reef0.5-2 kg, up to ~5 kg
Edibility & ciguatera
Very good eating, sweet white meat; no ciguatera. Underrated table fish. A tilefish relative, not a true whitefish.
Where you'll see it
Hard bottom, rocky reefs and offshore banks, usually just off the structure; a common, approachable target around the Channel Islands.
Legal status
Legal to spear year-round. No minimum size limit. Bag limit 10, within the general daily limit of 20 fish total.

Lingcod

Ling

Ophiodon elongatus

Restricted — verify
bottom2-7 kg, up to ~18 kg
Edibility & ciguatera
Excellent eating, firm white (sometimes blue-green) meat that cooks white; no ciguatera. A premier central/northern California spear target.
Where you'll see it
Rocky reefs, ledges and pinnacles, ambushing from the bottom; a large, toothy, aggressive fish that holds tight to structure. Not a true cod but a greenling relative.
Legal status
Legal to spear in season. Minimum size 22 in total length; bag limit is part of the groundfish complex (typically 2/day). Groundfish seasons and depth limits change by management area and year (e.g. the fishery is closed Jan 1-Mar 31 in the southern and central areas) — verify the current CDFW groundfish season and depth for your area.

Cabezon

Cabby

Scorpaenichthys marmoratus

Restricted — verify
reef1-4 kg, up to ~11 kg
Edibility & ciguatera
Excellent eating, dense white/blue-tinted meat that cooks white; no ciguatera. IMPORTANT: cabezon ROE (eggs) is toxic to humans — never eat the eggs; the flesh is perfectly safe.
Where you'll see it
Rocky reef and kelp, sitting motionless on the bottom in ambush; a large-headed, well-camouflaged sculpin that lets divers approach close. Part of the RCG (rockfish/cabezon/greenling) complex.
Legal status
Legal to spear in season. No minimum size limit; falls within the 10-fish RCG groundfish aggregate. Subject to the same seasonal and depth closures as the rest of the groundfish complex — verify current CDFW groundfish rules for your management area.

Rockfish (Sebastes complex)

RockcodRockfish

Sebastes spp.

Restricted — verify
reef0.5-4 kg depending on species
Edibility & ciguatera
Excellent eating across the group (vermilion, olive, blue, black, gopher, kelp and others); no ciguatera. A staple of California spearfishing, especially central and northern coast. Dorsal and gill spines can be mildly venomous — handle with care.
Where you'll see it
Rocky reefs, kelp and pinnacles; some hold tight to structure while others hover in the water column above it. Shallow, nearshore species are the realistic freedive targets. Locally called 'rockcod' though they are not true cod.
Legal status
Legal to spear in season within the 10-fish RCG groundfish aggregate, with species sublimits (e.g. copper rockfish 1/day; canary and vermilion/sunset have their own caps) and no general minimum size. Seasonal and depth closures apply by management area (e.g. closed Jan 1-Mar 31 in southern/central areas) — verify current CDFW groundfish rules before diving.

Kelp Greenling

Greenling

Hexagrammos decagrammus

Restricted — verify
reef0.3-1.5 kg, up to ~2 kg
Edibility & ciguatera
Good eating, mild white/blue-tinted meat; no ciguatera. A small, colourful reef fish (rock greenling, Hexagrammos lagocephalus, is a close relative).
Where you'll see it
Shallow rocky reef, kelp and surge zones on the central and northern coast; an approachable near-bottom target.
Legal status
Legal to spear in season within the 10-fish RCG groundfish aggregate; no minimum size. Note a specific California rule: when spearing groundfish or greenlings (genus Hexagrammos) during a closed season/area, no fishing gear except spearfishing gear may be aboard the vessel (CCR §28.90). Verify current groundfish season and depth.

Opaleye

OpaleyeButton perch

Girella nigricans

Legal to spear
reef0.3-1.5 kg, up to ~2 kg
Edibility & ciguatera
Good pan fish, mild meat; no ciguatera. A common, accessible shore-diving target named for its blue-green eyes.
Where you'll see it
Shallow rocky reef, kelp and surge zones, often in loose schools grazing algae; an easy beginner target for shore-based spearos. Not a perch despite the nickname.
Legal status
Legal to spear year-round. No minimum size limit; falls under the general daily limit (10 of one species within 20 fish total).

Leopard Shark

Leopard shark

Triakis semifasciata

Legal to spear
nearshore1-4 kg, up to ~1.8 m
Edibility & ciguatera
Good eating if bled and iced promptly (bleed immediately to avoid an ammonia taste); no ciguatera. A slender, spotted, harmless bottom shark.
Where you'll see it
Sand and mud flats, bays and nearshore reef edges, cruising near the bottom; a common, unaggressive shark. Do not confuse with the fully protected white shark.
Legal status
Legal to spear. Minimum size 36 in total length; bag limit 3. (Spears may be used for sharks, skates and rays EXCEPT white sharks, which are fully protected — CCR §28.95.)

Giant (Black) Sea Bass

Black sea bassGiant sea bass

Stereolepis gigas

Protected — do not take
reefup to ~2.1 m / 250+ kg
Edibility & ciguatera
Do not take by spear — fully protected.
Where you'll see it
Kelp forests and rocky reefs, especially around the Channel Islands; a massive, curious fish that often approaches and shadows divers — an encounter, never a target. NOTE: in California 'black sea bass' means this protected giant. It is a completely different fish from the small Atlantic 'black sea bass' (Centropristis striata), which is a legal food fish on the East Coast — do not confuse the two.
Legal status
PROHIBITED TO SPEAR. Giant (black) sea bass has been fully protected in California recreational fisheries since 1981; take by any method, including spearfishing, is prohibited (CCR §28.90). Must be left alone.

Garibaldi

Garibaldi

Hypsypops rubicundus

Protected — do not take
reefup to ~38 cm
Edibility & ciguatera
Do not take — fully protected (and not a food fish).
Where you'll see it
Rocky reefs and kelp, unmistakable bright orange, fiercely territorial and often swims right up to divers. California's official state marine fish — an iconic reef encounter, never a target.
Legal status
PROHIBITED TO SPEAR. Garibaldi is fully protected in California; take by any method, including spearfishing, is prohibited (CCR §28.90). Must be left alone.

Local names & details still being verified

  • Pacific bonito scientific name — we use 'Sarda chiliensis' (long-standing usage); some authorities now split the eastern Pacific population as 'Sarda lineolata'. The common name and regulations are unaffected.
  • California yellowtail is listed as 'Seriola dorsalis' (the current split); older references use 'Seriola lalandi'. Same fish, same rules.
  • California sheephead is listed as 'Semicossyphus pulcher'; some recent taxonomy places it in 'Bodianus pulcher'. Same fish.
  • 'Black sea bass' as a California local name refers ONLY to the protected giant sea bass here — it is a different species from the Atlantic black sea bass (Centropristis striata). We flag this because the shared name is a genuine cross-coast ID hazard.
  • Bag/size limits and groundfish (rockfish/lingcod/cabezon/greenling) seasons and depth closures change by management area and year. The numbers here are 2026 CDFW figures for the Southern management area unless noted; confirm the current CDFW rules for your specific region and dive site.

A guide, not a ruling

Species identification and regional names are provided as a guide, not a substitute for local knowledge or the current regulations. In California the key legal points are the fully protected fin fish you must never spear (giant/black sea bass, garibaldi, gulf grouper, broomtail grouper, trout, salmon, broadbill swordfish and white shark), the seasonal/depth closures on the rockfish–lingcod groundfish complex, and — above all — California's dense Marine Protected Area network: State Marine Reserves ban all take and many Conservation Areas restrict spearfishing, so check the CDFW interactive MPA map for every dive site. Spiny lobster is hand-only (never speared) and the red abalone fishery is closed statewide. Confirm current CDFW sizes, seasons and boundaries before taking any fish. Unlike the tropics, California's cold water carries no ciguatera risk.

Do not spear

Prohibited species

  • Giant (black) sea bass — may not be taken by spearfishing (§28.90) 2
  • Garibaldi — may not be taken by spearfishing (§28.90); fully protected 2
  • Gulf grouper — may not be taken by spearfishing (§28.90) 2
  • Broomtail grouper — may not be taken by spearfishing (§28.90) 2
  • Trout — may not be taken by spearfishing (§28.90) 2
  • Salmon — may not be taken by spearfishing (§28.90) 2
  • Broadbill swordfish — may not be taken by spearfishing (§28.90) 2
  • White shark — may not be taken (spears/harpoons/bow may be used for skates, rays and sharks EXCEPT white sharks, §28.95) 1
  • Spiny lobster — may not be taken by spear at all; hand-only 7
  • Abalone (red) — recreational fishery closed statewide through at least April 1, 2036 (closure extended 10 years by the Fish and Game Commission in December 2025); may not be taken by any method, including spear (s8, s9)

Where you can't

Area restrictions

  • No spearfishing gear within 100 yards of the mouth of any stream in ocean waters north of Ventura County (§28.90) 2.
  • State Marine Reserves (SMRs): no take of any kind — all fishing, collecting and spearfishing are prohibited 6.
  • State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCAs) and other Marine Protected Areas: take rules vary by site and many prohibit or restrict spearfishing; always check the specific MPA's regulations on the CDFW Marine Region interactive web map before diving 6.
  • Groundfish/greenling closed-area and closed-season rules restrict what may be aboard the vessel while spearfishing (§28.90) 2.
  • Local (city/county) ordinances may prohibit projectile weapons in certain waters or shorelines — confirm local rules 4.

Worth knowing

Notable rules, seasons & limits

  • California is unusually permissive on breathing gear: SCUBA and other artificial underwater breathing devices are explicitly allowed for spearfishing fin fish (§1.76, §28.90) (s3, s2). Many other states ban SCUBA spearfishing entirely.
  • Spiny lobster is a hand-only fishery — no spear, snare, or hook — even though divers actively target it; spearing a lobster is a violation 7.
  • Garibaldi (the bright orange state marine fish) is fully protected and may never be speared or taken 2.
  • The Ocean Enhancement Validation ($7.30) is required only to fish ocean waters south of Point Arguello; north of that line a base sport fishing license suffices 5.
  • Freshwater spearing is the exception, not the rule: it is confined to a handful of listed rough/nongame species in named districts and seasons, and game fish (trout, salmon, bass) may never be speared 4.
  • Report cards are required for certain targets regardless of age (spiny lobster, abalone, sturgeon, steelhead, salmon) 5.
  • The MPA network is dense (124 MPAs covering ~16% of state waters) — the single biggest cause of accidental violations is spearfishing inside a reserve; check the CDFW interactive map for every dive site 6.

What divers here typically use

Gear up for California spearfishing

California's water runs cold, so divers here tend to reach for a thicker open-cell wetsuit before anything else. Our honest guide to the Best Spearfishing Wetsuit walks through what to look for — curated from published specs and community consensus, not paid placement.

If you break them

Penalties

Sport fishing and spearfishing violations are enforced by CDFW wildlife officers under the California Fish and Game Code and Title 14 regulations. Violations are generally charged as misdemeanors and can carry fines, court assessments, suspension or revocation of fishing privileges, and confiscation of illegally taken fish and gear; penalties are higher for fully protected species (such as giant sea bass, garibaldi and white shark) and for take within Marine Protected Areas. Exact fine amounts and statutory citations were not stated on the CDFW pages reviewed and should be verified in the Fish and Game Code and Title 14.

Not yet independently confirmed — verify directly

  • Exact penalty/fine dollar amounts and specific Fish and Game Code / Title 14 citations for spearfishing violations were not stated on the CDFW pages reviewed; the penalties summary is a general characterization and should be verified against the California Fish and Game Code and Title 14 before publication.
  • Per-MPA spearfishing rules vary site by site. State Marine Reserves are confirmed no-take (spearfishing banned), but the exact species and gear each individual State Marine Conservation Area allows were not verified one by one — divers must consult the CDFW interactive web map for the specific site.
  • 'Speargun', 'pole spear' and 'Hawaiian sling' are not named individually anywhere in California's spearfishing regulations; their legality is inferred from the generic §1.76 definition ('taking of fish by spear or hand') and §28.90's allowance of 'spearfishing gear'.
  • License and validation dollar amounts are 2026 CDFW figures and are adjusted annually; confirm current-year pricing at purchase.

Confirm these points directly with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) before you rely on them.

Primary sources

Sources

Every fact above is drawn from these official sources. Each was retrieved on the date shown; regulations can change after that date.

  1. Source 1: CDFW — General Ocean Fishing Regulations (diving/spearfishing summary; §28.90 and §28.95 provisions; white shark exception)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Sport-Fishing/General-Ocean-Fishing-Regs

  6. Source 6: CDFW — About California's Marine Protected Areas (SMR no-take, SMCA variability, interactive map)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs/About

  7. Source 7: CDFW — Ocean Sport Fishing Invertebrate Regulations (spiny lobster take by hand only)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Sport-Fishing/Invertebrate-Fishing-Regs

  8. Source 8: CDFW — 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (statewide abalone closure; consolidated ocean rules)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=239985&inline=

  9. Source 9: CDFW News — California Fish and Game Commission extends red abalone recreational fishery closure (December 2025; closure extended ten years to April 1, 2036)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-fish-and-game-commission-extends-red-abalone-recreational-fishery-closure-finds-cesa-listing-of-bear-lake-buckwheat-warranted

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is spearfishing legal in California?
Yes — spearfishing is legal in California's saltwater, and it is permitted in fresh water, subject to license, gear, species, and area rules. California has an extensive Pacific coastline and spearfishing is legal in its ocean waters with a sport fishing license. Section 28.90 provides that persons floating or swimming…
Do you need a license to spearfish in California?
Yes. California requires the California Sport Fishing License (with Ocean Enhancement Validation where applicable). Resident cost: Annual resident sport fishing license $64.54; one-day $21.09; two-day $32.40. Ocean Enhancement Validation $7.30 (required south of Point Arguello; not required with a one- or two-day license). Costs are 2026 CDFW figures and are adjusted annually. Non-resident cost: Annual nonresident sport fishing license $174.14; ten-day nonresident $64.54; one-day $21.09; two-day $32.40. Ocean Enhancement Validation $7.30 where applicable.
Can you spearfish on scuba in California?
Yes — explicitly. Section 1.76 defines spearfishing as taking fish by spear or hand by persons in the water who 'may be using underwater goggles, face plates, breathing tubes, SCUBA or other artificial underwater breathing device,' and §28.90 permits skin or SCUBA diving…
What can't you spear in California?
Protected or no-take species you may not spear in California include: Giant, Garibaldi — may not be taken by spearfishing, Gulf grouper — may not be taken by spearfishing, Broomtail grouper — may not be taken by spearfishing, Trout — may not be taken by spearfishing, Salmon — may not be taken by spearfishing, Broadbill swordfish — may not be taken by spearfishing, White shark — may not be taken. Always check the full prohibited-species list and current seasons before diving, and confirm with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

Stay current

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Regulations shift between seasons. We re-check California's rules against the primary source and send a short note when the limits, seasons, or licensing move — nothing else.

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Last verified July 5, 2026. Regulations change — always confirm the current rules with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) before you dive.

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