Is it now called California Department of Fish and Wildlife ? - https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/

I am not an expert on the subject, but I do know how to read Laws. Do you have a link to the actual regulations?

From what I understand your 2 stamp card applies to "all" inland waters except those expressly exempt by the Regulations. However, this is private property. Is it gated? Does it have public access? Can someone pull up to the pier in a boat and use it? Are there signs up saying "private property" ?

US law is somewhat similar to Australia. If this pier is available (physically) to the general public and the general public can use it, then it might be public place even though it is privately owned.

However, you are a club member and as such have agreed to the club rules. But a contract (agreement) cannot or should not reduce the affect of Law. But having said that, this club specifically states the club rules are the CDFW Regulations, so your membership agreement would appear to be valid.

The answer to your question is going to come down to whether the pier is actually private property as apposed to a public place. And the exact meaning of "all" within the meaning of the Regulations.

An interesting case heard by the High Court of Australia in 1995 (I think might have been 1994), found that a bank was a public place even though the bank had doors and was closed to the public for most of the time. The Court found that when the bank was open to the public for 6 hours per day, it had no restrictions and any member of the general public could access the bank. Therefore the bank was found to be a public place. For those interested it was a copyright case. The bank staff had a meeting when the bank was closed and music was played. The copyright owner found out that the music had been played and argued it was a public place even though the bank was closed...and won the case.

I think this club is being a bit silly. They would have next to no chance of proving that the pier is private property and it would be very expensive for them to prove it anyway. For example, can anyone apply to join this club or is it by invitation only? If anyone can apply, then the members are general public which would make the pier (and anything else owned by the club) a public place.

If you have a direct link to the Regulations I would be happy to take a closer look...just to satisfy my curiosity if nothing else 😊