California regulations
Stripers (Striped Bass) Regulations in California 2026
California Stripers regulations as of 2026-05-08: Daily bag 2 fish; Gear No Power Driven Gurdy Or Winch; Daily bag 2 fish. Sourced from CDFW.
Rules (35)
California statewideOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
All
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Gear
- No Power Driven Gurdy Or Winch
All Ocean Waters
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Gear
- Bow And Arrow Fishing Tackle
No striped bass may be taken while using a sinker weighing over four pounds, or while using any power driven gurdy or winch. Striped bass may only be taken by angling as defined in Section 1.05, Title 14, CCR, spearfishing pursuant to Section 1.76, and bow and arrow fishing tackle; snagging is an illegal method of take.
American River Upstream Of Howe Ave. BridgeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
no spearfishing permitted from May 1 through September 15
Black Butte LakeIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Sep 15
- Gear
- No Spearfishing
from May 1 through September 15 no spearfishing is permit[ted]
Black Butte Lake (Tehama County)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Sep 15
- Gear
- Spearfishing
spearfishing is permitted from May 1 through September 15
Butte CreekClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
no spearfishing permitted from May 1 through September 15
Colorado River District
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
Feather River Below Oroville DamClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
no spearfishing permitted from May 1 through September 15
Merced River Upstream Of N. Santa Fe Drive (J7) BridgeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
no spearfishing permitted from May 1 through September 15
Mokelumne River Upstream Of Elliot Road BridgeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
no spearfishing permitted from May 1 through September 15
New Hogan
- Daily bag
- 10
New Hogan Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
North Of Pt. Conception
- Min size
- 18 inches total length
Ocean Finfish
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
San Antonio
- Daily bag
- 10
San Antonio Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
San Joaquin River Upstream Of State Route 99 BridgeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
no spearfishing permitted from May 1 through September 15
Santa Margarita Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
Santa Margarita Lakes
- Daily bag
- 10
Southern District
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
Stanislaus River Upstream Of S. Santa Fe Road (J7) BridgeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
no spearfishing permitted from May 1 through September 15
Tuolumne River Upstream Of The Geer Road (J14) BridgeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
no spearfishing permitted from May 1 through September 15
Valley District
- Gear
- Spearfishing
from May 1 through September 15
Yuba River Upstream Of Simpson Lane BridgeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
no spearfishing permitted from May 1 through September 15
Also known as
Stripers is also called Stripers (Striped Bass), Striped Bass, striped bass. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in California.
Frequently asked questions
When is Stripers season in California?
Stripers season in California runs from May 1 to Sep 15 per CDFW.
What is the size limit for Stripers in California?
Minimum size for Stripers in California is 18 inches total length in North Of Pt. Conception, per CDFW. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Stripers in California?
Daily bag limit for Stripers in California is 2 fish in All, per CDFW.
Official sources cited
- https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=209090&inline
- https://www.eregulations.com/california/fishing/species-regulations
- https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=239985&inline
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with CDFW before keeping a catch. Last verified .