New option for fishing license renewal

For those of you who have a lifetime fishing license, I just now enabled the “auto renewal” feature on my account. This will make the CDFW issue and mail me, automatically at the beginning of every year, a license for that year.
This is a free feature. To enable, you need to set up a password on your account and register a credit card (it won’t be charged).

Who said the government is inefficient? (Probably the person thinking about a license in the form of a plastic card, with photo and expiration. That’s a damn good idea!)

I saw that option.  I never sign up for "auto pay" of any kind - too many instances of "accidental overcharge", IMO. 

I finally bought my lifetime license and was surprised at how quickly they got it to me. You have to fill out a form and take it to a local office or fax or mail it. I faxed mine around 2pm on New Year’s Eve and had my license in my mailbox on the 2nd!

I saw that option.  I never sign up for "auto pay" of any kind - too many instances of "accidental overcharge", IMO.

It seems like it would take some creativity for DFW to think of a way to overcharge if you've already got a lifetime fishing license. But they are first cousins to the DMV, so anything it possible...

Right on—they used to mail my lifetime license & stamps/report cards until about 2012. There were years where it wouldn’t arrive until January 3rd or 4th. That kinda sucked when I wanted to go fishing on January 1. One year it never arrived and I had to sign an affadavit to have them send me another. So, for me, it’s more convenient to go to Walmart/Dicks/West Marine/FW and have them print out my license & report cards...usually around December 15 when I’m buying a fishing license for my wife (stocking stuffer!). But I see how it might be more convenient to have it mailed each year too.

Just purchased my 2021 fishing license on line and made donation to this website.  Hope this year will be better than last!

I thought I signed up for the free mailing, but never saw a credit card item.  Was in Walmart today and just had her print out the license.  Stupid system.  She brings up my license with my Drivers License and then prints out my license.  No 2nd rod, no 9Ocean Enhancement, no Steelhead.  When I asked, she said you wanted your new license, have to go to another page to get the options.  Why can’t it print out everything I paid for without asking for extra stuff. 

I  am pretty sure the steelhead is separate but the second rod should be printed out on the regular license . Not sure on the enhancement since i have never purchased one.

I thought I signed up for the free mailing, but never saw a credit card item.  Was in Walmart today and just had her print out the license.  Stupid system.  She brings up my license with my Drivers License and then prints out my license.  No 2nd rod, no Ocean Enhancement, no Steelhead.  When I asked, she said you wanted your new license, have to go to another page to get the options.  Why can’t it print out everything I paid for without asking for extra stuff. 

Ocean Enhancement?  I didn't think we needed that up North. 

Ocean Enhancement Validation $5.95
Required to fish in ocean waters south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County).

The 2 rod stamp & ocean enhancement should be printed on your license. Apparently the DFW system doesn’t keep track of your Lifetime Stamps purchase. I have to tell them to click the button for those stamps/report cards...then they print it out. I am 99% certain that if you have a lifetime license, you can just tell them you also have lifetime stamps. (I did pay $150 for lifetime stamps in 2002 btw)

Just purchased my 2021 fishing license on line and made donation to this website.  Hope this year will be better than last!

Same here. I got my license back in November from the DFG website.

I forgot to mention: if you sign for auto renewal in 2021, you will get all your future (2022) licenses AS WELL AS the 2021 license. So it’s a one shot thing. I do agree that it’s not prompt. They take a few business days. And regarding enhancements, they are shown on the checkout page when you sign up for auto-renewal.

I vacation in San Diego each year for a couple weeks in September.  Been doing the SD vacations for 30+ years and my kids live in So.cal, so when Mrs Santa gave me the Lifetime license, it came with a Klamath area salmon stamp, not needed, ocean enhancement. Needed, steelhead, needed once in awhile, Delta Stamp, but when they dropped that, I got no credit for any other stamp.  Like a Sturgeon stamp.  When they printed my license first time, did not have 2nd rod stamp printed.  Maybe they use same programmers as DMV.