If License Is Forgotten, Will a Photo Copy of License Do?

December 17, 2009

Question: My son and I fish from our private boat almost exclusively and keep our sport fishing licenses aboard so they are always present. On rare occasions we will attempt to fish without the boat and a few times have forgotten to bring our licenses. To prevent us from mistakenly being without our fishing licenses, can we show a photo copy of our licenses or can the DFG issue more than one copy to a sport fisherman? Thanks. (Murray C.)

Answer: Good questions, but the answers to both are no. You must have a valid fishing license in your possession when fishing or attempting to take fish, and you must present it to a game warden upon request. Additionally, only one license may be issued to a person per year.

What about the duplicate. I left mine at home in my kayak and relised it while in line to board a cattle boat so i paid the money for the duplicate and kept that in my wallet and the original in my yak.

I carry a "digital" copy on my phone.....

It's 2014. These are Stone Age rules.

a copy, is a copy; your gonna get cited anyways for not having a "valid" license in possession; carrying a copy, digital or photo, is to prove you did purchase a license...

but now a days in the digital age, all martian men ( code name for "Wardens", because they are green) have to do is look up our D/L # for proof....

Ya but quotas must be met so here is your ticket lol

This is California.  If they can find a way to tax, fine or otherwise screw you they will.   If that sucks then maybe we can get rid of some of the deadwood politians that run this state during the next election.

A photo?  More like 18 photos to get the entire license...

A photo?  More like 18 photos to get the entire license...

Panorama shot lol

Why doesn't the state just offer a photo ID, like our DL. It's ridiculous to kinda carry  a plastic sheet a mile long that fades so easily to any kind of exposure.

OR?
I can just carry my license with me ,like the law says, and be good to go each and every time
rebel that I am
best offense is a good defense

How pc of you Craig!

I always carry my fishing license and ab card in my wallet. It doesn't feel bulky at all and I know I'll never forget them at home if I'm in a rush to get otw.

ditto on the wallet..I found after 100's of zip locks and some that still let water in...that those little tupper ware type ,single sandwich -simple snap top ,containers, will hold my car keys & wallet and it fits in my underseat 10" hatch perfect...never gotten water on my wallet since...stays in the hatch till next outing...

Mine stays in my wallet, always. If I leave home without my wallet, the fishing license will be the least of my concerns...