California state waters are open to recreational groundfish fishing effective April 19, 2024. Federal recreational groundfish season opened on April 1.
In-Season Updates
Some marine protected areas (MPAs) restrict or prohibit sport fishing within MPAs. Visit the MPA pages for more information.
Northern Management Area
Ocean waters between 42°00' N. latitude (CA-OR Border) and 40°10' N. latitude (near Cape Mendocino)
Includes all of Del Norte County and most of Humboldt County
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Mendocino Management Area
Ocean waters between 40°10' N. latitude (near Cape Mendocino) and 38°57.5' N. latitude (Point Arena)
Includes a portion of Humboldt County and most of Mendocino County
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San Francisco Management Area
Ocean waters between 38°57.5' N. latitude (Point Arena) and 37°11' N. latitude (Pigeon Point)
Includes a portion of Mendocino County, all of Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, and most of San Mateo County
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Central Management Area - North
Ocean waters between 37°11' N. latitude (Pigeon Point) and 36°00' N. latitude (Point Lopez)
Includes all of Santa Cruz County, and parts of San Mateo and Monterey Counties
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Central Management Area - South
Ocean waters between 36°0' N. latitude (Point Lopez) and 34°27' N. latitude (Point Conception)
Includes all of San Luis Obispo county, and parts of Monterey and Santa Barbara Counties
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Southern Management Area
Ocean waters between 34°27' N. latitude (Point Conception) and the U.S.-Mexico Border, excluding the Cowcod Conservation Areas
Includes a portion of Santa Barbara County, and all of Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties
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