Outdoors with Don Q: California fishing licenses for 2012

By Don Quilici
With Christmas two weeks away, one of the best stocking stuffers for local anglers is a California fishing license. If you're planning to fish in the State of California in 2012, you'll need a new license as of Jan. 1.
You can purchase that license and any applicable stamp at a number of local outlets or on the Internet.

Annual Licenses:
The 2012 non-resident annual fishing license is $120.14, and it is good through December 31, 2012.
Wow! $120.14 for a fishing license! Geez, I can remember that many years ago, I was complaining when that license cost went up to $35.

Daily Licenses:
A one-day resident or non-resident license is $14.30.
A two-day resident or non-resident license is $22.42.
A ten-day non-resident license is $44.85.
Second-Rod Stamp: $13.78.
This Second-Rod stamp allows an angler to fish with two rods or lines in inland waters, except for waters in which only artificial lures or barbless hooks may be used.
Colorado River Stamp: $3.09.
This Colorado River stamp allows an angler to fish from a boat or other floating device on the Colorado River or adjacent waters forming the California-Arizona border.
Abalone Report Card: $21.34.
This card is required for all persons taking abalone from ocean waters north of the center of the mouth of San Francisco Bay, including persons who are not required to have a sport fishing license, such as persons who are under 16 years of age, persons who are fishing from a public pier and persons who are fishing on free fishing days. Only one Abalone Report Card may be issued per person each license year.
North Coast Salmon Report Card: $5.97.
This card is required for all anglers taking salmon in the Smith River System or Klamath-Trinity River System, including persons who are not required to have a sport fishing license, such as persons who are under 16 years of age, and persons who are fishing on free fishing days.
Steelhead Report Card: $6.74.
This card is required to fish for steelhead in inland waters, including persons who are not required to have a sport fishing license, such as persons who are under 16 years of age, and persons who are fishing on free fishing days.

License agent outlets:
California fishing licenses and stamps are available at a number of local outlets, usually wherever fishing supplies are sold.

To purchase your licenses, stamps and cards online:
Go to www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing
That’s the way that Elaine and I purchase our licenses.
It’s easy and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can’t tell you when the Nevada fishing license year begins in 2012.
If he grins and says, “The Nevada fishing license year is way different from California. It begins on March 01, 2012,” he is someone who has bought a fishing license in both states.

— Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for South Tahoe Now and Carson Now. He can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com.