Cal. Fish & G. Code § 8460
Any person engaged for profit in the taking, transporting, or selling of live fresh-water fish for bait shall first obtain from the department a live fresh-water bait fish license to possess the fish for those purposes. The commission may prescribe regulations governing these licenses.
A license shall be issued for a calendar year, or, if issued after the beginning of such term, for the remainder thereof, and may be revoked for a violation of the terms thereof.
Such a license is not required for the raising, possession, or sale of live fresh-water fish for bait under authority of Division 12 (commencing with Section 15000).
The provisions of this code on commercial fishing, packing, or processing licenses, on reports by persons engaged in the commercial fish industry, and on statements required by owners or operators of fishing boats, do not apply to the taking, transporting, or selling of live fresh-water fish for bait.
Ca. Fish and Game Code § 8460