CDFW to Begin Offering 365-day Fishing Licenses for 2023

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will begin selling 365-day fishing licenses far sooner than expected, thanks to extensive efforts by staff to expedite sales. Beginning November 15, 2022, California anglers will be able to purchase a 2023 fishing license that will take effect on January 1, 2023, and last the entire year. All licenses purchased on or after January 1, 2023, will be effective from the date of purchase for a continuous 365 days. About frikin' time!

Pretty cool and thanks for the heads up!

About time.

Great news!  Thanks for the info P-n-J.

Been waiting a long time for this!  Thanks for the info!

Glad to see folks are excited about the change, would anyone be willing to share why they are happy about the change?
Thanks,

Isao

Just bought the out of state (not here 6 months yet) license and will only get three months out of it because of the old style. O well.

Glad to see folks are excited about the change, would anyone be willing to share why they are happy about the change?
Thanks,

Isao

Just say for some personal or work related reasons you're out of state/country for the first half of 2023 then you don't loose it when you got  back and purchase the license.

Glad to see folks are excited about the change, would anyone be willing to share why they are happy about the change?
Thanks,

Isao

Here's how I see it. They have considered this many years now. As I understand it, they were concerned about their yearly budget. Having most angers purchase their licenses at the beginning of the year made it easier for them to plan the budget. That's a valid point. But I'm thinking that 98% of the people that bought licenses last year will do it again in the coming year. So the money will be there, just not in one lump sum. I think in the end having a calendar year license will increase their money flow. Over the years I have talked with many people on the bank, boat or kayaks that see me catch fish, ask questions and want to join the fun. However, when you tell them that it's $50+ for the license and it's July or October they pass because its to expensive for only a few months. Having a calendar year license will change that, equaling more revenue for their yearly budget. 

Good info thanks!

With the changes to depth and dates when we can fish in the ocean, maybe it will speak volumes when sales are collected showing peoples interest in fishing at specific times of the year.

Glad to see folks are excited about the change, would anyone be willing to share why they are happy about the change?
Thanks,

Isao

Here's how I see it. They have considered this many years now. As I understand it, they were concerned about their yearly budget. Having most angers purchase their licenses at the beginning of the year made it easier for them to plan the budget. That's a valid point. But I'm thinking that 98% of the people that bought licenses last year will do it again in the coming year. So the money will be there, just not in one lump sum. I think in the end having a calendar year license will increase their money flow. Over the years I have talked with many people on the bank, boat or kayaks that see me catch fish, ask questions and want to join the fun. However, when you tell them that it's $50+ for the license and it's July or October they pass because its to expensive for only a few months. Having a calendar year license will change that, equaling more revenue for their yearly budget.

That’s a good point. I hope it leads to more cash flow for one of my favorite government organizations! I guess selfishly I figure I’m gonna fish throughout the year and generally feel like my license goes to support wardens and an attempt to manage our fisheries so who cares if it’s not a full 365 sometimes.
I’m fairly certain if it results in less money coming in they will switch it back, but I don’t really care one way or another, but am glad that it seems like this move makes folks happy.

Thanks for sharing,
Aloha,

Isao

Wardens