The cases
A throw net on the San Gabriel River
San Gabriel River, on the Los Angeles–Orange County line · San Gabriel River Jetty East on Pier Scout
Acting on a CalTIP tip, wildlife officers found three people at the river with a throw net and about 50 small fish, mostly tilapia and mullet. The net and fish were seized, and the person who claimed them was arrested and released with a citation. CDFW noted the spot is near habitat for green sea turtles, which are fully protected in California.
The rule: Throw nets are illegal to use or even have within 100 yards of fresh water, because they catch fish of every size and species.
CDFW on Facebook, Oct 30, 2026 ↗
55 lobsters, 49 of them short, off Catalina
Long Point State Marine Reserve, Catalina Island
On lobster opening weekend, officers cited people on a boat for fishing inside the Long Point marine reserve and explained the rules to them. When officers boarded the same boat that night, the group said they had no other lobsters. A search turned up undersized lobsters hidden in a hatch and a bucket: 55 in all, 49 of them under size and six over the limit. They were arrested and released with citations.
The rule: Measure every lobster as soon as you catch it, and put the short ones back right away.
CDFW on Facebook, Oct 27, 2026 ↗
Lobsters in a baby stroller at Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles County · Santa Monica Pier on Pier Scout
With the season already closed, wildlife officers from across Southern California worked the pier together. Their trained dogs found lobsters hidden in duffel bags, backpacks, cars and a baby stroller. Officers seized 34 lobsters, including egg-bearing females, and put them back in the ocean alive. Six people were arrested for taking lobster out of season, over the limit, under size, on hook and line, and for holding more than triple the daily limit.
The rule: Lobster can't be taken on hook and line, and each egg-bearing female carries one brood a year of 50,000 to 800,000 eggs. Penalties run up to $1,000 per violation or up to a year in jail.
CDFW on Facebook, Jul 14, 2026 ↗
Speared lobster in a no-take reserve
South La Jolla State Marine Reserve, San Diego · happened Jun 13, 2026
On an early-morning extreme low tide patrol, an officer found a man taking lobster inside the South La Jolla reserve, out of season. He had 24 lobsters, 21 of them under size, all with spear holes, and many were females carrying eggs. His lobsters and spear gear were seized, and he was arrested on a long list of counts, including fishing without a license and not carrying a measuring device.
The rule: In a state marine reserve you can't take anything: CDFW says the take of all marine resources is prohibited.
CDFW on Facebook, Jun 29, 2026 ↗
A Venice restaurant's "sustainable" fish
Venice, Los Angeles
A high-end Venice restaurant and fish business advertised its seafood as traceable, sustainable and lawfully sourced. CDFW's investigation found repeated violations of state and federal commercial fishing laws in 2020 and 2021. Prosecutors settled it as a civil case, with more than $100,000 in penalties, and the boat owners and operators involved are barred from commercial fishing in California.
The rule: It's illegal to sell fish you caught on a sport license. Selling fish takes commercial licensing and paperwork.
CDFW news release, Jun 1, 2026 ↗
Short lobsters after a night dive at King Harbor
King Harbor breakwater, Redondo Beach · King Harbor Breakwater on Pier Scout
On a late-night patrol, an officer checked two divers coming out from a dive by the breakwall. Between them they had 10 undersized lobsters and were eight over the daily limit. Both were cited.
The rule: Measure every lobster as soon as you catch it, and release the short ones right away.
CDFW on Facebook, Jan 28, 2026 ↗
Every case comes from CDFW's own Facebook page or news releases, checked Nov 2, 2026. These are CDFW's accounts of citations and arrests, not court verdicts. Illustration is original art for Pier Scout.
