California Lobster Season 2026: A Guide for Inland Empire Divers

California lobster season for 2026-27 opened at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, and runs through 11:59:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2027. Divers may keep seven spiny lobsters per person, each at least 3¼ inches in carapace length, taken by hand only, and every diver needs a Spiny Lobster Report Card.

For divers in Montclair and across the Inland Empire, lobster season is one of the best reasons to get back in the water this fall. Scuba Schools of America (SSA) runs local boat trips along the Southern California coast throughout the season, and this guide covers the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) rules you need to know before your first lobster dive.

When Is California Lobster Season in 2026?

California's recreational spiny lobster season opens at 6:00 p.m. on the Friday before the first Wednesday in October. It closes at 11:59:59 p.m. on the first Wednesday after March 15.

For the 2026-27 season, that puts opening night on Friday, October 2, 2026, and the final day on Wednesday, March 17, 2027. Taking lobster before 6:00 p.m. on opening day is illegal, even if you're already in the water.

2026-27 California lobster season at a glance

What Are the California Lobster Size and Bag Limits?

Each spiny lobster you keep must measure at least 3¼ inches. The carapace is measured in a straight line along the middle of the back, from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell.

The daily bag limit and the possession limit are both seven lobsters per person. CDFW counts lobsters you've already stored at home toward that possession limit, so a freezer with seven lobsters means you can't take more until some are gone.

Why every lobster diver needs a gauge

Anyone taking lobster must carry a device that measures accurately. CDFW recommends a fixed-arm lobster gauge over a ruler or tape measure because it cuts down on measuring mistakes.

Scuba divers have to measure each lobster while still in the water. An undersized lobster can't be brought to the surface or put in your catch bag, so keep your gauge clipped where you can reach it during the dive.

How Can Scuba Divers Legally Catch Lobster in California?

Skin and scuba divers in California may take spiny lobster by hand only. Hoop nets are legal for anglers fishing from shore, piers and boats, but divers can't use any device to take a lobster or help take one.

That rules out a few tools divers sometimes bring along:

• Tickle sticks can't be used to coax a lobster out of a hole.
• Spears and spearguns can't be used to take lobster.
• Hooks, snares or other gadgets aren't allowed either.

You may carry otherwise legal spearfishing gear on a dive for finfish, but it can't be used on crustaceans. If you're hunting both on the same dive, any lobster still has to be taken by hand.

Do You Need a Fishing License to Dive for Lobster?

Divers 16 and older need a California sport fishing license plus a Spiny Lobster Report Card. Kids under 16 don't need a license, but they still need their own report card.

Here's what the required items cost in 2026, according to CDFW:

• Resident 365-day sport fishing license: $64.54
• Nonresident 365-day sport fishing license: $174.14
• Spiny Lobster Report Card: $12.70, valid for the full season
• Ocean Enhancement Validation: $7.30

The Ocean Enhancement Validation is required for ocean waters south of Point Arguello in Santa Barbara County, which covers all of Southern California. It isn't needed if you fish on a one-day or two-day license. A California resident diving for lobster in Southern California on an annual license pays $84.54 total before any dive costs.

Report cards can be bought online through CDFW or at licensed sales agents. CDFW notes that cards ordered online are mailed and can't be printed at home, so plan ahead if you buy online.

How Do You Fill Out and Return a Lobster Report Card?

Fill in your report card before you start fishing, not after the trip. Each line asks for the date, location and gear type before you begin.

If you're diving from a boat, the card can stay on the boat. Shore divers may keep it within 500 yards of their entry point. When you finish at a location, or finish for the day, record how many lobsters you kept.

Report cards must be returned or reported online by April 30 after the season closes, even if you didn't catch anything. For the 2026-27 season, that deadline is April 30, 2027. Anyone who misses it pays a $21.60 non-return fee when buying next season's card. If you report online, save the confirmation number.

Where Can Inland Empire Divers Go Lobster Diving?

Montclair is inland, so lobster diving starts with choosing between a beach dive and a boat dive along the Southern California coast.

Beach dives give you direct access to nearshore reefs, but you'll deal with surf, currents and a longer gear carry. Boat dives open up offshore reefs and the Channel Islands, where conditions are often more forgiving.

SSA runs 4 to 6 local boat trips each month, which makes it easier to reach good lobster ground without arranging your own charter. Check the SSA calendar for upcoming trips, or browse dive travel for longer outings.

How Do Marine Protected Areas Affect Lobster Diving?

A spot that looks like perfect lobster habitat may be closed to harvest. California's marine protected areas include state marine reserves, state marine parks and state marine conservation areas, and each type has different rules for what you can take.

Before every lobster dive, check the CDFW Ocean Sport Fishing Interactive Map and the rules for that area. CDFW puts the responsibility on each diver to know whether they're inside an MPA. Don't rely on an old dive site description or a map saved from last season.

Can You Keep Undersized or Egg-Bearing Lobsters?

You can't keep undersized lobsters. Release them immediately in the water where you found them.

California doesn't currently prohibit recreational take of egg-bearing female spiny lobsters, but many divers release them anyway as a conservation practice. CDFW set the season dates so it opens after most lobsters have spawned and closes before they move back into shallow water for the next spawning cycle. Check current CDFW lobster regulations each season, since rules can change.

What Gear Do You Need for Lobster Diving?

Lobster diving combines fishing paperwork with a full dive kit, so a checklist helps. Before you leave home, pack:

• Your sport fishing license and Spiny Lobster Report Card
• A fixed-arm lobster gauge
• A mesh catch bag
• Exposure protection for Southern California water temperatures, such as a properly fitted wetsuit
• A primary dive light and a backup for night dives, when lobsters are most active
• A surface marker buoy and other dive accessories for safety
• The latest MPA information and CDFW health advisories for your dive site

Service your regulator and check the rest of your gear before the season. If it's been a while since your last dive, SSA's heated pool in Montclair is a good place to shake off the rust.

Is Lobster Diving Safe for Newer Divers?

Lobster diving adds a lot of tasks to a normal dive. You're managing buoyancy, air supply and your buddy while searching crevices, grabbing a fast-moving animal and measuring it underwater. Much of it happens at night.

Newer divers should build comfort first. SSI specialty courses like Night Diving and Perfect Buoyancy are a natural next step after Open Water, and a pool refresher before opening weekend helps your skills feel automatic again. Focus on control and safety first, and treat the catch as a bonus.

Frequently Asked Questions About California Lobster Season 2026

When does California lobster season start and end in 2026?

The 2026-27 recreational season opened at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, and closes at 11:59:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2027.

What is the minimum size for California spiny lobster?

The minimum legal size is 3¼ inches in carapace length. Divers must measure each lobster in the water and release undersized lobsters immediately.

How many lobsters can you keep in California?

The daily bag and possession limit is seven lobsters per person. Lobsters already stored at home count toward the possession limit.

Can scuba divers use a tickle stick for lobster in California?

No. Divers may take spiny lobster by hand only. Tickle sticks, spears and other devices can't be used to take or help take lobster.

Do kids need a lobster report card?

Yes. Every person taking spiny lobster needs a Spiny Lobster Report Card, including children under 16 who don't need a fishing license. The 2026 card costs $12.70.

Get Ready for Lobster Season With Scuba Schools of America

Before your first lobster dive, double-check the current CDFW rules, confirm your license and report card, and make sure your gauge is in your kit. Then get your dive skills where they need to be.

Scuba Schools of America has trained Southern California divers in Montclair since 1959. Explore SSI specialties on the Courses & Training page, find a boat trip on the calendar, join fellow divers through the Club Aquarius dive club or call (909) 621-4171 to plan your season.