CDFW Adds Auto-Renewal Option for Fishing Licenses

As of Sunday, November 15, 2020, sport anglers in California will have the option of signing up for automated renewal of their fishing licenses, report cards, and validations through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Online License Sales and Services website. If the customer chooses this option and has a current payment method on file with CDFW, their license and other selected items will be automatically renewed and mailed to them in subsequent license years.

https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales/Frequently-Asked-Questions

Awesome. Good to know. I have a the lifetime license, but at the time, I would still need to apply each year to get the actual pass for the year. It would be great if this manual step has been automated.

Just verified. The new feature applies to Lifetime licenses:

“Q: If I have a Lifetime License, will I be automatically enrolled in Auto Renewal?

A: No. If you have a Lifetime License you will have to manually log in to your customer record through the Online License Sales and Services website and choose the Auto Renewal option. You will also be required to enter your credit card information even though no fee will be charged for the renewal of your lifetime license. Your stored credit card information can be used for subsequent purchases of other license items sold through the Online License Sales and Services website.”