Special waters
Search lakes & streams
Named lakes and streams with special rules from the CDFW Freshwater Guide. If your water is listed here, these rules override the district defaults.
60 waters
Alambique Creek (San Mateo Co.)
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsSan Mateo Co.South CentralSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only.
Alameda Creek and tributaries downstream of San Antonio, Calaveras, and Del Valle Reservoirs except for Arroyo Del Valle between Bernal Ave. and the Thiessen St. intersection with Vineyard Ave
Stream / riverClosedSouth CentralClosed to fishing all year.
Alameda Creek and tributaries downstream of San Antonio, Calaveras, and Del Valle Reservoirs except for Arroyo Del Valle between Bernal Ave. and the Thiessen St. intersection with Vineyard Ave — Arroyo Del Valle between Bernal Ave. and the Thiessen St. intersection with Vineyard Ave
Stream / riverOpen year-roundGear limitsSouth CentralAll year. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only.
Alameda Creek mainstem and all tributaries downstream of San Antonio, Calaveras, and Del Valle Reservoirs except for Arroyo Del Valle between Bernal Ave. and the Thiessen St. intersection with Vineyard Ave
Stream / riverClosedSouth CentralClosed to fishing all year.
Alameda Creek mainstem and all tributaries downstream of San Antonio, Calaveras, and Del Valle Reservoirs except for Arroyo Del Valle between Bernal Ave. and the Thiessen St. intersection with Vineyard Ave — Arroyo Del Valle between Bernal Ave. and the Thiessen St. intersection with Vineyard Ave
Stream / riverOpen year-roundGear limitsSouth CentralAll year. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only.
Alameda Creek tributaries upstream of San Antonio, Calaveras, and Del Valle reservoirs
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsSouth CentralSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only.
Albion River (Mendocino Co.)
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsMendocino Co.North CentralMain stem below the confluence of South Fork Albion. the fourth Saturday in May through March 31. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only. from the fourth Saturday in May through October 31. Barbless hooks only. from November 1 through March 31.
Alder Creek (Mendocino Co.)
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsMendocino Co.North CentralMain stem below Tramway Gulch. the fourth Saturday in May through March 31. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only. from the fourth Saturday in May through October 31. Barbless hooks only. from November 1 through March 31.
All Salinas River tributaries upstream of Arroyo Seco River confluence (including the San Antonio River below San Antonio Reservoir and Dam, Paso Robles Creek and tributaries, Atascadero Creek, and Santa Margarita Creek and tributaries but excluding the Nacimiento River). See subsection (b)(67)
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsSouth CentralThe last Saturday in April through November 15. Barbless hooks only.
All other portions of Fish Slough. Also, see Section 5.00(b)(16) for black bass regulations
Stream / riverOpen year-roundAll year.
All remaining Cottonwood Creek drainage lakes
Stream / riverOpen year-roundGear limitsAll year. Artificial lures only.
Almanor Lake tributaries (Lassen, Plumas and Shasta cos.) upstream to the first lake
Tributary areaSeasonalLassen, Plumas and Shasta cos.SierraSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30.
American River, North Fork, Middle Fork, South Fork and their tributaries above Folsom Lake (Placer, El Dorado, Amador, and Alpine cos.),
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsPlacer, El Dorado, Amador, and Alpine cos.SierraSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30. October 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day. Only artificial lures with barbless hook may be used.
Antelope Lake tributaries (Plumas Co.)
Tributary areaSeasonalPlumas Co.SierraSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30.
Aptos Creek (Santa Cruz Co.) from mouth to bridge on Aptos Creek Road (first bridge on Aptos Creek Road)
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsSanta Cruz Co.South CentralDecember 1 through March 7, but only on Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, legal holidays and opening and closing days. Barbless hooks only.
Arroyo Grande Creek (San Luis Obispo Co.) from mouth to Lopez Canyon Dam
Stream / riverClosedSan Luis Obispo Co.South CentralClosed to fishing all year.
Arroyo Seco River (Monterey Co.)
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsMonterey Co.South CentralThe main stem Arroyo Seco and tributaries below the waterfall located approximately 3.5 miles upstream from the U.S. Forest Service Ranger Station. December 1 through March 7, but only on Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, legal holidays and opening and closing days. Barbless hooks only.
Arroyo Seco River (Monterey Co.)
Stream / riverSeasonalMonterey Co.South CentralThe main stem Arroyo Seco and tributaries above the waterfall located approximately 3.5 miles upstream from the U.S. Forest Service Ranger Station. 40(b)(9) below waterfall. Saturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30.
Auburn Ravine Creek and tributaries (Placer Co.) east of Nelson Lane
Stream / riverSeasonalPlacer Co.SierraThe fourth Saturday in May through October 15.
Bear River (Humboldt Co.) downstream from County Road Bridge at Capetown, excluding tributaries
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsHumboldt Co.North CoastThe fourth Saturday in May through March 31. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only.
Bear River and tributaries (Placer Co.) from Highway 65 to the South Sutter Irrigation District Diversion Dam
Stream / riverSeasonalPlacer Co.ValleyThe fourth Saturday in May through October 15.
Bear River and tributaries (Placer Co.). From Highway 20 south (downstream) 2.5 miles to the abandoned concrete dam (the Boardman Diversion Dam).40(b)(13) from Hwy 65
Stream / riverSeasonalPlacer Co.SierraSaturday before Memorial Day through the last day in Feb.
Berryessa Lake tributaries (Lake and Napa cos.)
Tributary areaSeasonalLake and Napa cos.North CentralThe last Saturday in April through Sept. 30.
Between Upper and Lower Twin Lakes
Stream / riverSeasonalSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30.
Between the Woodbridge Irrigation District Dam and the Lower Sacramento Road bridge
Stream / riverClosedValleyClosed to fishing all year.
Big Lagoon (Humboldt Co.). For purposes of this subsection, the boundary between Big Lagoon and Maple Creek is the first private road bridge, located approximately 1/2 mile southeast of the Highway 101 bridge crossing
Stream / riverOpen year-roundGear limitsHumboldt Co.North CoastAll year. Barbless hooks only. Cutthroat Trout minimum size limit: 10 inches.
Big River (Mendocino Co.)
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsMendocino Co.North CentralMain stem below the confluence of Two Log Creek. the fourth Saturday in May through March 31. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only. from the fourth Saturday in May through October 31. Barbless hooks only. from November 1 through March 31.
Big Sur River (Monterey Co.). Big Sur River and tributaries above the upstream end of the gorge pool at the boundary of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park within the Ventana Wilderness Area.40(b)(17) within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsMonterey Co.South CentralSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only.
Big Sur River (Monterey Co.). Big Sur River within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, east of the Highway 1 bridge, to its boundary within the Ventana Wilderness Area
Stream / riverClosedMonterey Co.South CentralClosed to fishing all year.
Big Tree Creek (Calaveras Co.) Within Calaveras Big Trees State Park (upstream of the Highway 4 culvert crossing)
Stream / riverClosedCalaveras Co.SierraClosed to fishing all year.
Big Trees Creek (Tuolumne Co.) upstream from the confluence of Beaver Creek
Stream / riverClosedTuolumne Co.SierraClosed to fishing all year.
Black Butte River and tributaries (Glenn Co.) except Cold Creek
Stream / riverClosedGlenn Co.ValleyClosed to fishing all year.
Boggy Creek (Fresno Co.) and tributaries (tributary to Thomas Edison Lake)
Stream / riverSeasonalFresno Co.SierraSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30.
Boulder Creek (San Diego Co.) upstream of El Capitan Reservoir, and all of its tributaries
Stream / riverOpen year-roundGear limitsSan Diego Co.SouthernAll year. Artificial lures only.
Bridgeport Reservoir and tributaries (Mono Co.). except Swauger Creek from Bridgeport Reservoir upstream to Highway 395, and Swauger Creek from Bridgeport Reservoir upstream to the private property fence line above the Forest Service campground
Stream / riverSeasonalMono Co.SierraThe last Saturday in April through November 15.
Brush Creek (Mendocino Co.). Main stem below the Lawson bridge
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsMendocino Co.North CentralThe fourth Saturday in May through March 31. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only. from the fourth Saturday in May through October 31. Barbless hooks only. from November 1 through March 31.
Bucks Lake tributaries (Plumas Co.)
Tributary areaSeasonalPlumas Co.SierraSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30.
Burney Creek (Shasta Co.). From Burney Creek Falls downstream to Lake Britton
Stream / riverOpen year-roundGear limitsShasta Co.SierraAll year. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only.
Butano Creek (San Mateo Co.). Above Butano Falls.40(b)(22) from mouth to county bridge
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsSan Mateo Co.South CentralSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only.
Butano Creek (San Mateo Co.). From mouth to county bridge on Pescadero-Bean Hollow Road
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsSan Mateo Co.South CentralDecember 1 through March 7, but only on Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, legal holidays and opening and closing days. Barbless hooks only.
Butt Creek
Stream / riverSeasonalSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30.
Butt Valley Reservoir (Plumas Co.)
Lake / reservoirOpen year-roundPlumas Co.SierraAll year.
Butt Valley Reservoir powerhouse outfall, from the powerhouse, downstream to a marker adjacent to Ponderosa Flat Campground
Lake / reservoirSeasonalSaturday before Memorial Day through the last day in Feb.
Cache Creek and tributaries (Lake Co.)
Stream / riverSeasonalLake Co.North CentralSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30.
Calaveras River downstream from New Hogan Dam and the diverting canal (Mormon Slough) from Bellota Weir downstream to Interstate Highway 5 (Calaveras and San Joaquin cos.)
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsCalaveras and San Joaquin cos.ValleyThe fourth Saturday in May through March 31. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only.
Caples Creek from the confluence with the Silver Fork American River upstream to Caples Lake Dam (El Dorado and Alpine cos.)
Stream / riverOpen year-roundGear limitsEl Dorado and Alpine cos.SierraAll year. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only.
Carmel River main stem below the bridge at Robles Del Rio/ Esquiline Roads (Rosie’s Bridge)
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsSouth CentralDecember 1 through March 7, but only on Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, legal holidays and opening and closing days. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only.
Carmel River tributaries below Los Padres Dam and main stem from Los Padres Dam to the bridge at Robles Del Rio/Esquiline Roads (Rosie’s Bridge)
Stream / riverClosedSouth CentralClosed to fishing all year.
Carson River, East Fork and tributaries above Carson Falls
Stream / riverClosedClosed to fishing all year.
Carson River, East Fork from Hangman’s Bridge downstream to Nevada State Line
Stream / riverOpen year-roundGear limitsAll year. Artificial lures only. Minimum size limit: 14 inches total length.
Cedar Creek and tributaries upstream from Moon Lake access road (Lassen Co.)
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsLassen Co.SierraSaturday before Memorial Day through the last day of February Artificial lures only.
Chorro Creek (San Luis Obispo Co.) from the mean high tide line upstream to the South Bay Boulevard Bridge
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsSan Luis Obispo Co.South CentralDecember 1 through March 7, but only on Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, legal holidays and opening and closing days. Barbless hooks only.
Clear Lake tributaries (Lake Co.)
Tributary areaOpen year-roundGear limitsLake Co.North CentralAll year. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only.
Cold Creek (Fresno Co.) and tributaries (tributary to Thomas Edison Lake)
Stream / riverSeasonalFresno Co.SierraSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30.
Convict Creek downstream of the U.C. study area
Stream / riverSeasonalSaturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30.
Convict Creek, including side channels and meanders, in the U.C. study area as posted. This area begins about 1/2 mile above the Highway 395 bridge and extends upstream about 1/2 mile
Stream / riverClosedClosed to fishing all year.
Coon Creek and tributaries (Placer Co.) east of Highway 65
Stream / riverSeasonalPlacer Co.SierraThe fourth Saturday in May through October 15.
Corralitos Creek (Santa Cruz Co.) from mouth to Browns Valley Road
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsSanta Cruz Co.South CentralDecember 1 through March 7, but only on Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, legal holidays and opening and closing days. Barbless hooks only.
Cosumnes River (Sacramento Co.) from Highway 99 bridge upstream to the Latrobe vehicle bridge
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsSacramento Co.ValleyJanuary 1 through October 15. Barbless hooks only.
Cottoneva Creek (Mendocino Co.). Main stem below the confluence of South Fork Cottoneva Creek
Stream / riverSeasonalGear limitsMendocino Co.North CentralThe fourth Saturday in May through March 31. Artificial lures with barbless hooks only. from the fourth Saturday in May through October 31. Barbless hooks only. from November 1 through March 31.