Board / Guides / California lobster opener
California lobster opener 2026
The recreational spiny lobster season opens Friday, October 2, 2026 at 6:00 pm PT and runs through Wednesday, March 17, 2027. Every rule below comes straight from CDFW — follow the links and check them yourself before opener night.
Countdown to first pull
California spiny lobster opener
Fri Oct 2, 2026 · 6:00 pm PT
27days
07hrs
09min
27sec
The night-before trap
South of Point Arguello, hoop nets may not hit the water in the 24 hours before the opener — 6:00 pm Thursday, Oct 1 to 5:59 pm Friday, Oct 2. Nets pre-deployed that night are illegal, and wardens work the launches specifically for them. Rig everything, then deploy at 6:00 pm sharp.
Checklist
Before you hit the water
Three things make a lobster trip legal. All three are checked at the ramp.
- 1. California sport fishing licenseRequired for anyone 16 or older. Buy online or at a license agent before opener night — lines at the tackle shop on Friday are their own season tradition. CDFW sport fishing licenses & report cards
- 2. Spiny Lobster Report CardRequired for every person taking (or attempting to take) lobster, divers included. Report it — online or by mail — by April 30, 2027, even if you never wet a net; skip it and you pay a non-return fee on next season’s card. CDFW recreational lobster fishing
- 3. Ocean Enhancement Validation (south of Point Arguello only)Fishing ocean waters south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County)? Add the Ocean Enhancement Validation to your license — it’s not needed on one- and two-day licenses, and not needed north of the point. CDFW recreational lobster fishing
Rules
The 2026–27 rules at a glance
Times, limits and gear rules for the season, each cited to CDFW.
| Rule | 2026–27 season | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Opener | Friday, October 2, 2026 at 6:00 pm PT — the Friday preceding the first Wednesday in October, statewide. | CDFW recreational lobster fishing |
| Season close | Wednesday, March 17, 2027 at 11:59 pm — the first Wednesday after March 15. | CDFW recreational lobster fishing |
| Bag limit | Seven lobsters per person. | CDFW recreational lobster fishing |
| Minimum size | 3.25 inches carapace length, 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. | CDFW recreational lobster fishing |
| Hoop nets | South of Point Arguello: up to 5 hoop nets per person, max 10 per vessel. North of Point Arguello there is no vessel limit. From a public pier: 2 hoop nets. | CDFW recreational lobster fishing |
| Buoy marking | The surface buoy of any deployed hoop net must be marked with the GO ID of at least one operator — clear and legible, not just taped on. | CDFW recreational lobster fishing |
| Pre-opener gear ban | No hoop nets may be deployed south of Point Arguello in the 24 hours before the opener — from 6:00 pm Thursday, October 1 until 5:59 pm Friday, October 2. Pre-soaked nets are a citation trap wardens work hard. | CDFW recreational lobster fishing |
| Divers | Skin and scuba divers may take lobster by hand only. No spears, hooks or tickle sticks — and lobster hooked incidentally while fishing for finfish go back immediately. | CDFW recreational lobster fishing |
What to watch
What can change after opening day
- Opening night itself. CDFW in-season changes can land at the last minute, and the opener is not immune to them.
- Domoic biotoxin closures. A domoic closure can close take in affected areas mid-season, well after the opener has passed.
- In-season rule changes. CDFW posts in-season regulation changes on its ocean regulation page.
Any of these change, you get an email.
FAQ
Opener questions, answered from CDFW
When does the 2026 California lobster season open?
The recreational spiny lobster season opens at 6:00 pm PT on Friday, October 2, 2026 — the Friday preceding the first Wednesday in October. The season closes at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, March 17, 2027, the first Wednesday after March 15. CDFW lobster regulations
What do I need to fish for lobster in California?
A California sport fishing license, a Spiny Lobster Report Card, and — for ocean waters south of Point Arguello in Santa Barbara County — an Ocean Enhancement Validation. The validation is not required on one- and two-day sport fishing licenses. CDFW lobster regulations
Can I set my hoop nets the night before the opener?
No. South of Point Arguello, hoop nets may not be deployed during the 24 hours before the season opener — from 6:00 pm on Thursday, October 1 until 5:59 pm on Friday, October 2. Wardens actively cite pre-deployed nets at the opener. CDFW lobster regulations
What is the bag limit and minimum size for spiny lobster?
Seven lobsters per person. The minimum size is 3.25 inches carapace length, 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. CDFW lobster regulations
How many hoop nets can I use?
South of Point Arguello you may use up to 5 hoop nets per person, with no more than 10 hoop nets per vessel. North of Point Arguello to the Oregon border there is no limit on hoop nets possessed or deployed from a boat. From public piers the limit is 2 hoop nets. CDFW lobster regulations
Do I have to report my lobster report card even if I caught nothing?
Yes. Every Spiny Lobster Report Card must be reported to CDFW — online or by mail — by April 30 following the season, even if no lobster was taken. Unreported cards trigger a non-return fee when you buy next season's card. CDFW lobster regulations
Can divers use gear to take lobster?
No. Skin and scuba divers may only take lobster by hand. Spears, hooks and devices like tickle sticks may not be used, and lobster caught incidentally on hook and line while fishing for finfish must be returned to the water immediately. CDFW lobster regulations
Get alerted when regulations change
Inseason rule changes, domoic advisories, quota calls — the moment CDFW publishes a change that touches this season, you get the email.