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304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Get your 2025 California 24-hour fishing license anytime – even 2 AM! Learn costs, validity rules, and where to fish legally at dawn. Official purchase links included.
California’s 24-hour fishing license lets you start casting at first light – if you know the rules. (Source: CDFW)
A 24-hour California fishing license is a short-term permit valid for one continuous day of fishing in both freshwater and saltwater. Unlike annual licenses, it activates at your purchase time – ideal for anglers who want to hit the water by 5 AM without buying a full-year pass.
Key 2025 Updates:
Follow these steps to secure your license before dawn:
Go to CDFW’s licensing page – the only official source for 2 AM purchases. Avoid third-party vendors after midnight.
Choose “One-Day” license type, not “Two-Day” or “Annual”. (Source: CDFW)
Set your license to activate at 4:30 AM if planning a 5 AM arrival at spots like Lake Tahoe or Monterey Bay. Licenses take 15-20 minutes to process.
California no longer requires physical licenses. Save the PDF to your phone or print a copy – wardens accept both formats.
Green areas = 24-hour license valid. Red zones require special permits. (Source: NOAA)
Top Dawn Fishing Spots Accessible with This License:
Restricted Areas:
State | 24-Hour License Cost | Saltwater Add-On | Purchase Cutoff Time |
---|---|---|---|
California | $21.35 | Included | None (24/7 sales) |
Oregon | $26.50 | $12.50 | 10 PM |
Nevada | $18.00 | N/A | 11 PM |
Arizona | $20.00 | N/A | 9 PM |
California remains the only West Coast state with true 24/7 license sales – critical for pre-dawn trip planning.
No – Walmart’s fishing license kiosks (pricing guide) close at 11 PM. Use CDFW’s online portal for 2 AM purchases.
You’ll face penalties up to $1,000 – wardens patrol high-traffic areas like the Golden Gate Bridge coast at dawn.
Yes, but only during Dungeness crab season (Nov-June).