Comparison

FishLegal vs CA FishMap

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

FishLegal

Navigate California's coast with offline maps of marine protected areas. Accurately identify legal fishing zones and avoid restricted areas using GPS. Access regulations and fish identification with an optional subscription.

Highlights
  • Offline MPA maps
  • GPS positioning
  • Legal fishing zone identification
  • Species-specific regulations (Pro)
  • Fish identification (Pro)
  • Immediate regulation updates (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Offline Maps of California Marine Protected Areas (MPA). GPS location allows accurate positioning relative to MPAs, so you will know your exact location, where to fish legally and where to avoid! Completely offline capable, look up the map and info even without cellular signal! MPA maps and regulations are free. Includes all State Marine Reserve (SMR), State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), State Marine Park (SMP), Special Closure (SC), and even Groundfish Exclusion Areas! Optional Pro Subscription will add species-specific California salt-water fishing regulations, immediate update when regulations change, and beautiful fish identification information! All detailed maps and regulations are preloaded, just install the app and be done. You will always have the newest rules at your finger tip. Go anywhere, fish previously unknown waters and always stay within the law! FishLegal Pro Subscription is free for 30 days, then $9.99/year. You can subscribe and pay through your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage your subscriptions by entering the user settings in iTunes after the purchase. Auto-renew may also be turned off from there. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. LEGAL Terms of Use: http://fishlegal.info/tos.htm Privacy Policy: http://fishlegal.info/privacypolicy.htm SUPPORT We love hearing from users! Email us here: support@fishlegal.info Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

CA FishMap

Features
Read full description

Discover the ultimate fishing companion with CAFishMap, designed specifically for ocean anglers on the California coast. Whether you're planning your next trip or already on the water, CA FishMap is your essential guide to successful and sustainable fishing. Key Features: - Interactive Fishing Maps: Access overlays of marine protected areas and crucial fathom lines. Know exactly where you can fish, ensuring compliance with local regulations. - Offline Functionality: Use our maps and resources without needing an internet connection, perfect for those remote sea excursions. - Resource Center: Stay informed with a list of fishing regulations, easy species identification, a safety checklist, and a calendar marking open fishing seasons. CA FishMap not only enhances your fishing adventures but also helps in preserving the marine ecosystem by promoting responsible fishing practices. Ready to cast your line? Download CA FishMap today and transform how you fish along the California coast!

Screenshots

FishLegal4 screens
CA FishMap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: FishLegal at Free against CA FishMap's $9.99. FishLegal also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.6). CA FishMap's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

FishLegal is free to download; CA FishMap costs $9.99 up front. FishLegal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. CA FishMap asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FishLegal ships an update every 4 months, CA FishMap every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
FishLegal versus CA FishMap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFishLegalCA FishMap
PriceFree — better$9.99
Rating4.4 (127 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews73.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings127 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size205 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFishLegalMark Kinoshita

In-app purchases

2 purchases

FishLegal

Subscriptions2
  • 1 year FishLegal Pro$9.991 Year
  • 1yr FishLegal Sub with Trial1 Month trial$9.991 Year
None

CA FishMap

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FishLegal free?
FishLegal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CA FishMap free?
CA FishMap costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do FishLegal or CA FishMap have ads?
Neither FishLegal nor CA FishMap shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FishLegal or CA FishMap?
FishLegal ships an update every 4 months, and CA FishMap every 2 months. Most recently, FishLegal was updated on October 24, 2026 and CA FishMap on October 25, 2026.

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