Cal. Fish & Game Code § 6708

A lease may not be assigned, in whole or in part, by the lessee, either voluntarily or by operation of law, and no subleases or other rights may be granted thereunder by the lessee without the prior approval of the commission, subject to the conditions that the commission prescribes. The lease shall be forfeited in the event of a violation of this section. Each lease shall contain a statement of the contents of this section.