California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 1 - Fish and Game Commission-Department of Fish and Game
Subdivision 1 - Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles
Chapter 2 - Statewide Regulations for Fishing and Frogging in Inland Waters
Article 1 - Fishing Methods and Gear Restrictions
Section 2.00 - Fishing Methods-General

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 2.00

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Except as otherwise authorized, all fish may be taken only by angling with one closely attended rod and line or one hand line with not more than three hooks nor more than three artificial lures (each lure may have three hooks attached) attached thereto. Anglers in possession of a valid two-rod stamp and anglers under 16 years of age may use up to two rods in inland waters which regulations provide for the taking of fish by angling, except those waters in which only artificial lures or barbless hooks may be used. See Trout, Salmon and Special Regulations for exceptions.

(b) Snagging is prohibited. Snagging is defined as impaling or attempting to impale a fish in any part of its body other than inside the mouth by use of a hook, hooks, gaff, or other mechanical implement. This definition does not include activities otherwise authorized under these regulations for the lawful use of a gaff, bow and arrow, or spear.

(c) It is unlawful to kill, or retain in possession any fish which has not voluntarily taken the bait or artificial lure inside its mouth. Any fish not taken pursuant to these regulations, shall be released immediately back into the water.

1. Repealer of chapter 2 ( §§ 2 through 34.95, not consecutive) and new chapter 2 (§§ 2.00 through 2.85, not consecutive) filed 1-16-74; designated effective 3-1-74 (Register 74, No. 3). For history of former sections, see Register 60, Nos. 1, 3; 61, Nos. 2, 26; 62, No. 5; 63, No. 1; 64, No. 25; 66, Nos. 1, 45; 67, Nos. 36, 51; 68, Nos. 25, 38, 48; 69, Nos. 8, 31, 51; 70, Nos. 25, 52; 71, No. 15; 72, Nos. 1, 5, 51, 52.
2. Repealer of chapter 2 (sections 2.00-2.90, not consecutive), renumbering of section 3.90 to section 781.5 and new chapter 2 (articles 1-4, sections 2.05-5.95, (not consecutive) filed 2-17-82; designated effective 3-1-82 (Register 82, No. 8). For prior history, see Registers 75, No. 52 and 74, No. 51.
3. Renumbering and amendment of former section 2.05 to section 2.00 filed 3-12-92; operative 3-12-92 (Register 92, No. 20).
4. Amendment filed 2-9-96; operative 2-9-96 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 205 (Register 96, No. 6).
5. Amendment filed 12-27-96; operative 12-27-96 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 96, No. 52).
6. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 12-20-2001 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2001, No. 51).
7. Amendment designating existing section as subsection (a) and adopting new subsections (b) and (c) filed 2-28-2007; operative 2-28-2007 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2007, No. 9).
8. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (a) and NOTE filed 12-26-2007 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2007, No. 52).
9. Amendment of subsection (a) filed 2-9-2010; operative 3-1-2010 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2010, No. 7).
10. Amendment of subsections (b) and (c) filed 2-29-2016; operative 3-2-2016 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(A) (Register 2016, No. 10).
11. Change without regulatory effect amending NOTE filed 8-8-2019 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2019, No. 32).
12. Amendment of subsection (a) and NOTE filed 12-6-2022; operative 12-6-2022 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(A) and Fish and Game Code section 265 (Register 2022, No. 49).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 205, 219, 265 and 275, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 110, 200, 265 and 275, Fish and Game Code.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. California may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.