Children Fishing With Two Rods

September 26, 2019

Question: Would a child younger than 16 who is not required to have a fishing license be able to legally fish with a second rod, or would they need some kind of additional second rod stamp? (Anonymous)

Answer: No additional stamp would be needed. As per the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (page 15 in this year’s booklet): “Anglers in possession of a valid two-rod stamp and anglers under 16 years of age may use up to two rods in inland waters which regulations provide for the taking of fish by angling, except those waters in which only artificial lures or barbless hooks may be used.”

A second pole validation does not apply to fishing in ocean waters. In the ocean, any number of poles may be used with a few exceptions:

Regardless of age, when fishing for, or in possession of, rockfish, lingcod, greenlings or cabezon, only one line with no more than two hooks may be used (see section 28.65(c) in the current Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet). Also, when fishing for or in possession of salmon north of Point Conception, only one line may be used (section 28.65(e)).  When taking sturgeon in ocean waters only one line may be used, as well (section 27.90(d)). In the San Francisco Bay, only one line with not more than three hooks may be used (section 28.65(a)).