ARTICLE 2. Fishing Lines [9025.1. - 9029.5.]

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC 2.

in effect

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 9025.1. Section 9025.1.

The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the best interest of the people of the state and California’s marine resources and fisheries that the use of commercial hook and line fishing gear be regulated in a manner that assures the orderly development of the fisheries, maintenance of viable resources, and sustainable and satisfying commercial and recreational harvests.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 9025.5. Section 9025.5.

(a) Troll lines or handlines having not more than two hooks (plugs excepted) may be used in any district, and troll lines with more than two hooks may be used in Fish and Game Districts 6, 7, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 19A, and that portion of Fish and Game District 11 west of the Golden Gate Bridge. (b) “Troll line” means a line with one or more hooks towed by a vessel underway and making way. (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), in that portion of Fish and Game District 10 in Tomales Bay south of a line extending 252 degrees magnetic from the western tip of Toms Point to the opposite shore, in that portion of Fish and Game District 11 east of the Golden Gate Bridge, and in Fish and Game Districts 12 and 13, commercial fishermen shall not use more than four troll lines or handlines at any time with not more than two hooks attached to each line, and when more than one commercial fisherman is aboard a vessel, not more than six lines with a maximum of two hooks per line may be fished aboard that vessel.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 9026. Section 9026.

Set lines may be used in Districts 6, 7, 10, 17, 18, and 19. It is unlawful to use set lines with hooks more than 100 feet above the anchor or ocean bottom.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 9027. Section 9027.

(a) (1) Notwithstanding Section 9026, 9028, or 9029, in the area described in subdivision (b), it is unlawful to use more than 150 hooks on a vessel to take a fish for commercial purposes when using fishing lines authorized pursuant to this article. (2) In the area described in subdivision (b), not more than 15 hooks shall be attached to any one fishing line, and no fishing line shall be attached to another fishing line, while those lines are being used for commercial fishing pursuant to this article except that a single troll line with not more than 30 hooks may be used to take California halibut. (3) Each fishing line used pursuant to this article that is not attached to a vessel fishing in the area described in subdivision (b) shall be buoyed and the commercial fishing license identification number issued pursuant to Section 7850 to the permittee who is using the fishing line shall be marked on, and visible on the upper one-half of each buoy, in numbers at least two inches high. (b) This section applies only to waters within one mile of shore within Fish and Game Districts 6, 7, and 10, but not including ocean waters in Fish and Game District 7 between a line extending 203 degrees magnetic from Gitchell Creek and a line extending 252 degrees magnetic from False Cape in Humboldt County and not including ocean waters in Fish and Game District 10 between a line extending 245 degrees magnetic from the most westerly point of the west point of the Point Reyes headlands in Marin County and a line extending due west magnetic from Point Bolinas in Marin County.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 9027.5. Section 9027.5.

(a) (1) Notwithstanding Section 9026, 9028, or 9029 in the area described in subdivision (b), it is unlawful to use more than 150 hooks on a vessel to take fish for commercial purposes when using fishing lines authorized pursuant to this article. (2) In the area described in subdivision (b), no more than 15 hooks shall be attached to any one fishing line, and no fishing line shall be attached to another fishing line, while those lines are being used for commercial fishing pursuant to this article. (3) Each fishing line used pursuant to this article that is not attached to a vessel fishing in the area described in subdivision (b) shall be buoyed and the commercial fishing license identification number issued pursuant to Section 7852 to the permittee who is using the fishing line shall be marked on, and visible on the upper one-half of each buoy, in numbers not less than two inches in height. (b) This section applies only to waters within one mile of the mainland shore in Fish and Game Districts 17, 18, and 19. (c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to persons who are fishing for halibut, white sea bass, sharks, skates, or rays, south of a line extending due west from Point Conception, if at least 80 percent of the fish possessed by persons aboard the vessel are, by number, halibut, white sea bass, sharks, skates, or rays.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 9028. Section 9028.

Notwithstanding Sections 8603 and 9025.5, it is unlawful to use fishing lines, including, but not limited to, troll lines and handlines more than 900 feet in length unless they are used as set lines pursuant to Sections 8601 and 9026 or they are used as part of deep-set buoy gear authorized under federal law.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 9029. Section 9029.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 9028, a fishing line which is anchored to the ocean bottom at one end and attached at the surface to a fishing vessel or a buoy may be used in Districts 6, 7, 10, 17, 18, and 19. (b) A fishing line otherwise permitted pursuant to subdivision (a), may not be used under any of the following circumstances: (1) To take shortfin mako (bonito) sharks, thresher sharks, swordfish, or marlin. (2) If the fishing line exceeds 3,000 feet in length from the anchor to the surface vessel or buoy. (3) If any hooks are attached to the upper one-third of the line. (c) A buoy attached to the surface end of a fishing line used pursuant to subdivision (a) shall display above its waterline, in numerals at least two inches high, the fisherman’s identification number. For purposes of this section and Section 8601.5, “fisherman’s identification number” means the number of the person’s commercial fishing license issued pursuant to Section 7850.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 9029.5. Section 9029.5.

Notwithstanding Sections 9025.5, 9026, and 9029, it is unlawful to use set lines, vertical fishing lines, or troll lines to take fish for commercial purposes within one mile of the nearest point of land on the mainland shore in Fish and Game District 7 or 10 from sunset on Friday to sunset on the following Sunday or from sunset of the day before a state recognized legal holiday until sunset on that holiday. For the purposes of this subdivision, a “set line” is a fishing line that is anchored to the bottom on each end and is not free to drift with the tide or current and a “vertical fishing line” is a fishing line that is anchored to the ocean bottom at one end and attached at the other end on the surface to a fishing vessel or a buoy. This section does not apply to the taking of salmon or California halibut for commercial purposes.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026