Waterbody · California
Folsom Lake Fishing Regulations 2026
Folsom Lake fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are landlocked salmon, bass. 91 current rules across 7 species from CDFW.
Rules (91)
CDFW regulates 91 rules across 7 species at this water.
Striped Bass
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
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
San Joaquin River Upstream Of State Route 99 BridgeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
no spearfishing permitted from May 1 through September 15
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
Yuba River Upstream Of Simpson Lane BridgeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
no spearfishing permitted from May 1 through September 15
California statewideOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
White Seabass
Abalone Cove State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take by spearfishing [Section 1.76] of white seabass is allowed.
Abalone Cove State Marine Conservation Area3Open
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take by spearfishing [Section 1.76] of white seabass is allowed.
Blue Cavern Offshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Spearfishing
white seabass by spearfishing [Section 1.76] is allowed
Farnsworth Offshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Spearfishing
white seabass by spearfishing [Section 1.76] is allowed.
Farnsworth Onshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Spearfishing
The recreational take by spearfishing [Section 1.76] of white seabass is allowed.
MontereyOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Possession
- 3 fish
remains open year-round The daily bag and possession limit is three fish except that only one fis
Monterey County
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
recreational fishery remains open year-round daily bag and possession limit is three fish except that only one fis[h]
Naples State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take by spearfishing [Section 1.76] of white seabass is allowed.
Ocean Waters
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 20 inches alternate length
Pigeon Point To Point Conception
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 20 inches alternate length
Point Conception To U.s.-Mexico Border
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 20 inches alternate length
Point Dume State Marine Conservation Area3Open
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take by spearfishing [Section 1.76] of white seabass is allowed.
Swami’s State Marine Conservation Area3Open
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take by spearfishing [Section 1.76] of white seabass is allowed.
Waters South Of Point Conception
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Possession
- 1 fish
between March 15 and June 15
Waters South Of Pt. Conception
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
between March 15 and June 15
Waters South Of Pt. Conception Between
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
except that only 1 fish may be taken; June 15
California statewideOpen
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 3
- Min size
- 28 inches total length
Open all year.
Landlocked Salmon
New Bullards Bar Reservoir (Yuba Co.)
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Possession
- 20 fish
Smallmouth Bass
Cuyamaca LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Catch and Release only
Ke (San Diego Co.)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Catch and Release only for Smallmouth Bass
All Species
American River, North Fork, Middle Fork, South Fork And Their Tributaries Above Folsom Lake (Placer, El Dorado, Amador, And Alpine Cos.), Except Caples Creek (See Section 7.50(B)(24)).In season
- Season opens
- Oct 1
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Gear
- Barbless
Trout
American River, North Fork, Middle Fork, South Fork And Their Tributaries Above Folsom Lake (Placer, El Dorado, Amador, And Alpine Cos.), Except Caples Creek (See Section 7.50(B)(24)).Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Daily bag
- 5 trout
Largemouth Bass
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Folsom Lake?
CDFW regulates fishing on Folsom Lake.
What species can I target on Folsom Lake?
Folsom Lake is best known for landlocked salmon, bass. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
Where should I verify these rules?
These rules summarize CDFW's published content. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.