How to Bring Home Fish Caught Out of State

July 20, 2017

Question: Later this year I am planning a trip to fish in the state of Washington. The limits and retention are different. What is the best way to bring fish home from the trip? Is there some paperwork trail that must be kept or some type of certification? (Ross B.)

Answer: Yes. To import fish into California, you are required to complete a declaration of entry form once you reach the California border (Fish and Game Code, section 2353). On this form you will list your fishing license information from Washington, along with the county where the fish were taken. You must deliver one copy of the declaration to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) entry station, mail one to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and keep one for your records. The declaration of entry provides you the paper trail back to the county and state where the fish were legally harvested.

Screw that.
I will never bring home an out of state fish if there's that much crap to deal with.

Oh cmon Tote bring home and drop some buy my house on the way!

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You just need 4 copies of a short form (she forgot to say that one has to remain with your catch - that's the 4th one).  It's only really an issue if you are doing something like retaining coho in Oregon then plan on fishing in California on your way home where you might get checked by a game warden.  for whatever it's worth, I very rarely bother doing the paperwork and only do it when I bring in a CA no take species or am over CA limits.  It's never been a problem.

I bring fish in from Alaska and Los Barriles Mexico every year and have never had to fill out paperwork.  It's never been an issue at the airport.