California Lobster Season – 2023-2024

Its Lobster Season in California!

** For the most up to date information visit the CDFW website at the link provided below **

• Recreational lobster season opens at 6:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding the first Wednesday in October and closes at 11:59:59 p.m. on the first Wednesday after the 15th of March.
• Recreational Bag and Possession Limit: Seven lobsters per person.
• Minimum Legal Size Limit: Three and one-fourth inches, measured in a straight line on the midline of the back from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell (3¼ inch carapace). Please see the lobster measurement diagram (PDF)(opens in new tab) on how to measure your lobster.
• Permit Requirements: CDFW Spiny Lobster Report Card and California recreational fishing license, available at CDFW’s Online License Sales and Service. An Ocean Enhancement Validation is also required if fishing in ocean waters south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County), unless fishing under the authority of a one- or two-day California recreational fishing license.
• Skin and Scuba Diver Gear Requirements: All skin and scuba divers must only use their hands to take lobster.
• Pier Fishing Gear Requirements: You may use up to 2 hoop nets while fishing from a public pier.
• Vessel Fishing Gear Requirements: You may possess up to 5 hoop nets while fishing from a vessel, but the total number of hoop nets from a vessel cannot exceed 10, even if there are more than 2 people on the boat.
• Fishing Locations: See the CDFW Ocean Sport Fishing Interactive Web Map(opens in new tab).
• Hoop Nets Prohibited 24 Hours Prior to the Season Opener: Hoop nets may not be deployed south of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County during the 24 hours leading up to the recreational lobster season opener.