Do You Need a Fishing License to Fish at the Fishing in the City Events?

June 29 2017

Question: I’ve never fished but I’m planning to take my 13-year-old and his friend to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Fishing in the City event in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has little outdoors experience and is always consumed by his cell phone. I know he does not need a fishing license, but do I if I want to participate? (Nancy M., Burlingame)

Answer: Fishing in the City offers a great opportunity to introduce a person to fishing, even if they have no experience or equipment. You and your son (and his friend) are the exact people this program is designed for and we are excited to have you participate. CDFW has rods to loan you and tackle available, and we will teach you what you need to know to get started. Many, many people have caught their first fish at one of these events. You are correct about your son not needing a fishing license as he is 15 years old or younger, but you will need one to participate. Keep in mind, CDFW frequently conducts clinics on either or both of the Free Fishing Days of the year. This year the Free Fishing Days will be July 1 and Sept. 2. More information on the program is available on the Fishing in the City website.

One more thing … many of us parents would like to pull our kids away from the cell phones to enjoy the outdoors, but we recognize how important those devices are to today’s youth. There are many fishing apps available for download that may pique your son’s interest in other fishing opportunities. Even CDFW has a new online map-based Fishing Guide you can access with good cell reception. Turn him loose with the app and see if he comes up with any ideas for the next fishing spot he would like to try!