Lobster fishing at a california pier?

[LyLsLick]

Is it illegal to go lobster fishing at a california pier. What kind of net are legal and illegal?

[steve c]

you would be very lucky to catch lobsters with a net,
you need to have a crab/lobster trap which can be of many designs but basically invoves a non-return flap so they can get in but not get out.
so no it is not illegal but highly unlikely to catch with just a net by itself

[redcore86]

If you are using a net then yes. Lobsters are usually found in the jetties not piers, you can catch crabs at the piers

[caunltd]

It is legal to fish for lobster; however, only from Saturday September 27, 2008 through March 18, 2009. There is a season in CA for spiny lobster, and the specific days change each year so you have know how to figure it out. It starts from the Saturday preceding the first Wednesday in October through the first Wednesday after the 15th
of March. That's straight from the ocean sportfishing reg booklet.

So, you can't start fishing for them just yet.....

Also, when you do, you MUST have a report card for lobster. It's now required - even from a pier (where you don't need a LICENSE)...you still need the card. And you have to make sure you measure them for the size requirement. Straight from DFG booklet...."Minimum size: Three and one-fourth inches measured in a straight line on the mid-line of the back from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell."

You can catch lobsters at some piers, just not all. It's more likely to find them near jetties and rocky areas.