You Can Now Get Your California Fishing License Directly on Your Phone

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has unveiled the CDFW License App, a new mobile application designed to make it easier for residents and nonresidents to access their sport fishing licenses and validations.

With the new app, users can display their California sport fishing licenses and validations directly on their mobile devices, eliminating the need for physical copies. Additionally, users can download and view various CDFW resources, such as hunting and fishing regulations booklets, the Fish Planting Schedule, and access the Online License Sales and Services website.

The app is available for download on mobile devices through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or users can access direct download links from CDFW’s License App web page.

“We sometimes think progress moves too slowly, but the Department of Fish and Wildlife has moved full-speed ahead in making fishing licenses valid for 365 days and has modernized the licensing process by going digital,” said Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg), author of the original legislation, Assembly Bill (AB) 817, responsible for the change to a 365-day license and mobile licensing display. “I couldn’t ask for a better partner in implementing this new process. I look forward to CDFW’s goal of growing its digital footprint in other licensing areas.”

Following the successful rollout of the CDFW License App, hunting licenses and related hunting validations will be added to the mobile display options as early as mid-2024.

More information about the app and Frequently Asked Questions can be found on CDFW’s License App web page, which includes video tutorials covering the app’s various functionalities.