San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

CDFG just announced the dates for the 2026 Barrett Fishing Lottery that takes place on April 3,4 and 5th. You can go to the office on Ruffin Drive or apply on the website under online license sales and services. This is the same program(SHARE) that they did last year. Good luck to all entrants.

TommyP

Threw my hat in thanks!

Thanks for the heads up. Good luck to us all.

Maybe if you didn’t just put a post about it chance of getting pick might be higher, they only pick 4 applicants out of the pool so you might want to be a little more selfish next time.

Sharing is caring, thanks Tommy!

It doesn’t matter with posting up information, there’s over 101 plus applicants for the prize(s).

It’s just the luck of the draw, granted, I have been to one so I’m a bit biased.

Good luck everyone, put in your fee!!

The fact that they want you to pay for their research, because they figured out it would be”fun” for you, is so California it’s not even funny. It’s not even the fact they want an “application fee”, it’s that they’re just collecting all those fees for “applications” they aren’t even doing anything with. No processing. No comparing just picking a few. That in itself is a joke but not even surprising that San Diego politicians came up with that bright idea

The Friends of SD Lakes seminar at LaMesa Adult Enrichment Center last night might have answered a few of the above questions. I think those in attendance might have a different opinion of CDFW now.

TommyP

Thanks for the heads up Tommy. I paid for the 3 days . That would be awesome to be picked ! Chances are pretty low . Wondering if you get picked they supply a cooler with an aerator to keep the fish alive until you can hand them over to get tagged ?

Loveyourmama2 wrote: Tue Feb 10, 2026 11:02 am Thanks for the heads up Tommy. I paid for the 3 days . That would be awesome to be picked ! Chances are pretty low . Wondering if you get picked they supply a cooler with an aerator to keep the fish alive until you can hand them over to get tagged ?

I was lucky a few years ago, and that is exactly what they did... when the cooler was full you called them over and they measured the fish and released them...this process happened a large number of times! I caught 58 and my buddy got 45 (I think...didn't keep track of his fish...). Was an awesome day.

I signed up as well for Fri and Sat. I made a post on SD Bass Fishing Book of Face page and got swamped with inquiry signup posts. I posted a link on how the program works and how to sign up. Even still, i received DMs on how I can sign them up. Uhg. Reading is fundamental. Anywho, good luck to all who entered.

Brian: just why? If you inspired a flood of sign ups by posting on Facebook you’ve reduced our odds even further.

Shawnster wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 9:15 am Brian: just why? If you inspired a flood of sign ups by posting on Facebook you’ve reduced our odds even further.

Call me a team player. or not. Share.. ing the love. FWIW, most of those inquiries prolly wont sign up because it will cost them $15 a day just for a chance to be selected. #cheapskates

For anybody that truly wants to increase their odds, they should try to get an insider at CDFW. Put the kibosh on the email blasts they send out, and the awareness they try to spread concerning their programs

My suggestion is to recruit a ringer to sign up. Typically a female that usually wins more than you at the casino, catches the first and bigger fish, and wins at the track picking horse names and colors.

JWall wrote: Wed Feb 18, 2026 8:12 pm My suggestion is to recruit a ringer to sign up. Typically a female that usually wins more than you at the casino, catches the first and bigger fish, and wins at the track picking horse names and colors.

So you have a ringer who put in for you?

Dfishin wrote: Thu Feb 19, 2026 7:45 am

JWall wrote: Wed Feb 18, 2026 8:12 pm My suggestion is to recruit a ringer to sign up. Typically a female that usually wins more than you at the casino, catches the first and bigger fish, and wins at the track picking horse names and colors.

So you have a ringer who put in for you?

Actually I do! She got us in the last one

There also the option of getting your pre season “tickets” at Gi Joe surplus

Anybody here get picked? Assuming the lottery has already occurred.

15 days prior...not quite yet. Its like Christmas morning