West Bodega Jetty without Fishing License?

Looking to take some friends out to do some crab snaring who don't have fishing licenses. My interpretation of the below definition of a "public pier" makes me think that the west (north?) jetty in Bodega Bay qualifies. What do you think? Has anybody heard from a Warden otherwise? TIA.

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Anyone 16 years and older must have a fishing license to take any kind of fish, mollusk, invertebrate or
crustacean in California, except for persons angling from a public pier for non-commercial purposes in ocean or bay waters. A public pier is defined in the sport fishing regulations as a publicly owned man-made structure that has the following characteristics: is connected, above the mean high tide, to the main coastline or to the land mass of a named and charted natural island; has unrestricted free access for the general public; and has been built or currently functions for the primary purpose of allowing angling access to ocean waters.

Additionally, publicly owned jetties or breakwaters that are connected to land, as described above, that have free unrestricted access for the general public and whose purpose it is to form the most seaward protective boundary of an ocean harbor are public piers. Jetties, breakwaters, promenades, sea walls, moles, docks, linings, barriers and other structures that are not the most seaward protective boundary of an ocean harbor, are not public piers.

Your interpretation is correct. Either jetty at Bodega would qualify.

But make sure you're on the jetty.

I've seen wardens fine individuals and families set up at the base of the Doran jetty next to the bathroom for snaring without a license.  Thinking they were on the jetty. 

Yep, on the jetty.  Water on both sides of you and you're good.  Be careful not to slip on those rocks, lots of injuries happen there.  Someone was flown out for head trauma one day when I was fishing...

Thanks for confirming everyone!

I remember being told that one jetty of the Santa Cruz Harbor is defined as a public pier and the other side is not
Can't remember which one tho

Anyone?

I remember being told that one jetty of the Santa Cruz Harbor is defined as a public pier and the other side is not
Can't remember which one tho

Anyone?

That's interesting but if I had to guess it would be the one w/the lighhouse to be legal bc water on both sides all the time.

I remember being told that one jetty of the Santa Cruz Harbor is defined as a public pier and the other side is not
Can't remember which one tho

Anyone?

That's interesting but if I had to guess it would be the one w/the lighhouse to be legal bc water on both sides all the time.

read bold below

A classic example of this would be the inner harbor break wall at Pillar Point harbor.

https://californiaoutdoors.wordpress.com/2019/02/28/is-it-always-ok-to-fish-from-a-pier-without-a-license/

"Question: I want to take my 16-year-old son fishing and I know there are piers where neither of us need a fishing license. I don’t want to end up with a ticket so can you clearly describe what piers we can fish off of without a having to buy a license? Also, both of us have a basic knowledge of fishing and pretty simple gear. Any tips on how to have a successful day would be appreciated. (Sandra)

Answer: This question comes up often. Anyone 16 years and older must have a fishing license to take any kind of fish, mollusk, invertebrate or crustacean in California, except for persons angling from a public pier for non-commercial purposes in ocean or bay waters.

California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 14, section 1.88, defines a public pier as a publicly owned man-made structure that has the following characteristics: is connected above the mean high tide to the main coastline or to the land mass of a named and charted natural island, has unrestricted free access for the general public, and has been built or currently functions for the primary purpose of allowing angling access to ocean waters. Additionally, publicly owned jetties or breakwaters that are connected to land, as described above, that have free unrestricted access for the general public, and whose purpose it is to form the most seaward protective boundary of an ocean harbor, are public piers.

What places do NOT fit into this category of where you can fish without a license?

Jetties, breakwaters, promenades, sea walls, moles, docks, linings, barriers and other structures that are not the most seaward protective boundary of an ocean harbor, are not public piers."

Section 214 of the Santa Cruz Port District ordinances:
(g) Fishing
No person shall fish in the channel between jetties or in any other areas within the Santa Cruz Marina
Area where fishing activities would interfere with boating or safety on floats or where signs may be
posted prohibiting fishing.

    Those ordinances are posted on the Santa Cruz Harbor website, but I wonder whether they are up to date because they say they were adopted in 2010 or so.    I really don't know what the current rules are, but I know that several years ago, dozens of anglers would gather on the east side of the west jetty in the fall to catch the salmon that were returning to where they were released inside the harbor.  At times, it was a rowdy crowd, and they left fish carcasses on the pathway.  I believe the Port put a stop to that by erecting signs saying "No Fishing".   I think they may permit fishing on the east jetty, because I've seen anglers there recently.  It's a pretty poor place to fish on the bay  side of the west jetty because of all the concrete "jacks" to snag gear.   I'd suggest calling the Harbormaster to find out what they think the current rules are before trying your luck.
 

Section 214 of the Santa Cruz Port District ordinances:
(g) Fishing
No person shall fish in the channel between jetties or in any other areas within the Santa Cruz Marina
Area where fishing activities would interfere with boating or safety on floats or where signs may be
posted prohibiting fishing.

That part about "where fishing activities would interfere with boating or safety" seems like it would be open to a lot of different interpretations. I see people fishing from the jetties often, so I doubt it's enforced strictly, if at all.