California Department of Fish & Wildlife
Fishing & Diving Records
California Fish & Wildlife Fishing & Diving Records & Rules, & Submission Forms
California Inland Water Angling Records
SUBMISSION RULES
1. Photographs are REQUIRED to be submitted with all record applications. Fish must be clearly identifiable based on the photos submitted. Provide at least one clear photograph showing the full length of the fish (side-view); one photo must show the angler with the fish; and one photograph of the fish on the scale, with weight clearly visible. • CDFW biologists will use photos to identify the fish. If biologists are unable to make a definite identification from the submitted photographs, the angler will be required to provide fish for examination. • If no positive identification of the species can be made from the photographs provided and the fish cannot be presented for identification then the application will be denied. • All photos submitted will become property of the state and may be used in CDFW publications and will not be returned to the angler.
2. Fish must be weighed on scale certified for legal trade. The scale must have been certified within twelve months of the record catch. Proof of scale certification from County Office of Weights and Measure or scale receipt from a commercial vendor must be submitted with the application. One or more witnesses must observe the weighing and signature(s) must appear on the application form. • Fish weight must be rounded down to the nearest ounce. • If a non-certified scale is used at time of weighing, applicant must show proof of scale certification within 30 days from date of fish weighing
3. Fish total length and girth will be used to validate fish weight. Measurements should be to the nearest 1/8 inch. Total length is measured with mouth closed in a straight line from tip of the head to the end of the longest lobe of tail. Girth is the measurement around the widest part of the fish body.
California Saltwater Diving Records
SUBMISSION RULES
1. To qualify for a saltwater diving record you are required to have a current California saltwater fishing license, or be under 16 years of age. In addition, you must adhere to all fishing regulations.
2. The act of persons other than the diver touching any part of the spear, spear gun reel, or tag line either bodily or with any device, from the time a fish is speared, until the fish is landed, or in giving any aid is prohibited.
3. Your application must be submitted within one year of the date of catch.
4 . An International Game Fish Association application may not be submitted in place of the California Saltwater Diving Record Verification form.
5. Only the species found on the sport diving record list (see Fishing and Diving Records section on CDFW website) can be turned in as a new record. Any species not on the list will not be accepted.
6. In order to defeat a record, the fish must exceed the current record by at least one ounce. A catch that matches the weight of an existing record or exceeds the weight by less than one ounce will be considered a tie. For invertebrates in which measurements are used, the record length is to the nearest 1/8 of an inch and is rounded down to the nearest 1/8 inch
