Rockfish
Please see the current Central Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table(opens in new tab) for current recreational rockfish fishing regulations.
Cabezon
Please see the current Central Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table(opens in new tab) for current recreational cabezon fishing regulations.
Kelp and Rock Greenlings
Please see the current Central Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table(opens in new tab) for current recreational kelp greenling and rock greenling fishing regulations.
Lingcod
Please see the current Central Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table(opens in new tab) for current recreational lingcod fishing regulations.
Leopard Shark
The recreational fishery for leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) is open year-round, at all depths. The daily bag and possession limit is 3 fish with a minimum size limit of 36 inches total length.
The leopard shark is part of a group of fish known as groundfish, which includes over 90 species that live on or near the bottom of the ocean (with a few exceptions). View a summary table of groundfish regulations.
View additional groundfish information.
Pacific Sanddab and Other Flatfish
The recreational fishery is open year-round, at all depths for the following species: Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus),
butter sole(opens in new tab) (Isopsetta isolepis),
curlfin sole(opens in new tab)
(Pleuronichthys decurrens), flathead sole(opens in new tab)
(Hippoglossoides elassodon), rex sole (PDF)(opens in new tab) (Glyptocephalus zachirus), rock sole(opens in new tab) (Lepidopsetta bilineata),
and
sand sole(opens in new tab) (Psettichthys melanostictus). Refer to groundfish sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, and other regulations pertaining to these species.
Pacific sanddab and other flatfish are part of a group of fish known as groundfish, which includes over 90 species that live on or near the bottom of the ocean (with a few exceptions). View a summary of groundfish regulations.
View additional groundfish information.
Petrale Sole and Starry Flounder
The recreational fisheries for petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) and starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) are open year-round, at all depths. There are no bag or size limits for petrale sole or starry flounder. Refer to groundfish sport fishing regulations for complete information.
Petrale sole and starry flounder are part of a group of fish known as groundfish, which includes over 90 species that live on or near the bottom of the ocean (with a few exceptions). View a summary table of groundfish regulations.
View additional groundfish information.
California Scorpionfish (a.k.a. sculpin)
The recreational fishery for California scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata) is open year-round, at all depths. The daily bag and possession limit is 5 fish with a minimum size limit of 10 inches total length.
The California scorpionfish is part of a group of fish known as groundfish, which includes over 90 species that live on or near the bottom of the ocean (with a few exceptions). View a summary table of groundfish regulations.
View additional groundfish information.
Other Federally Managed Groundfish
The recreational fisheries for all other
federally managed groundfish species (soupfin shark, Dover sole, English sole, arrowtooth flounder, spiny dogfish, skates, ratfish, grenadiers, finescale codling, Pacific cod, Pacific whiting, sablefish, and thornyheads) are open year-round, at all depths. Refer to groundfish sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, and other regulations pertaining to these species.
The groundfish group includes over 90 species that live on or near the bottom of the ocean (with a few exceptions). View a summary table of groundfish regulations.
View additional groundfish information.
California Halibut
The recreational fishery for California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) remains open year-round. The daily bag and possession limit is three fish north of Point Sur, Monterey County, and five fish south of Point Sur, Monterey County. The minimum size limit is 22 inches total length.
White Seabass
The recreational fishery for white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) remains open year-round. The daily bag and possession limit is three fish except that only one fish may be taken in waters south of Point Conception between March 15 and June 15. The minimum size limit is 28 inches total length or 20 inches alternate length.
California Sheephead
The recreational fishery for California sheephead(opens in new tab) (Semicossyphus pulcher) is open year-round to divers and shore-based anglers. This fishery is closed to boat-based anglers from January 1, 2023 through February 28, 2023. The daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches total length. Review California sport fishing regulations for further information pertaining to California sheephead.
Ocean Whitefish
The recreational fishery for ocean whitefish (PDF)(opens in new tab) (Caulolatilus princeps) is open year-round, at all depths. The daily bag and possession limit is 10 fish within the general daily bag limit of 20 fish total, with no minimum size limit. Review California sport fishing regulations for further information pertaining to ocean whitefish.
Sharks (state-managed)
Open year-round, except that white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) may not be taken or possessed at any time. The bag limits for sixgill shark (YouTube)(opens in new tab) (Hexanchus griseus) and sevengill shark (PDF) (Notorynchus cepedianus) allow take of one fish per day with no size limit. The bag limits for shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus), and blue shark (Prionace glauca) allow take of two fish per day with no size limit.
Surfperch
The recreational fishery for surfperch (family Embiotocidae) is open year-round. The daily bag and possession limit is 20 fish in combination of all species (except shiner perch), with not more than 10 fish of any one species. Shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata) have a separate bag and possession limit of 20 fish. Redtail surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterus) have a minimum size limit of 10½ inches total length.
Identification Guide: Common Surfperches of California (PDF)
Sturgeon
The recreational fishery for white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) remains open year-round. The daily bag and possession limit is one fish that must be between 40 inches and 60 inches fork length. The annual limit is three (3) sturgeon per person.
Short or oversized sturgeon must be released unharmed immediately; note that white sturgeon greater than 68 inches fork length may not be removed from the water prior to their immediate release. No snare may be used to assist in taking sturgeon. Only one single barbless hook may be used on a line to take sturgeon. The sturgeon must voluntarily take the bait or lure in its mouth. No sturgeon may be taken by trolling, snagging, or by the use of firearms. Sturgeon may not be gaffed, nor shall any person use any type of firearm to assist in landing or killing any sturgeon. Any person fishing for sturgeon shall have in their possession a non-transferable Sturgeon Fishing Report Card and complete it in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 27.92.
Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) may not be removed from the water, taken, or possessed at any time. Green sturgeon must be released immediately without being removed from the water.
Tunas
The recreational fishery for tunas is open year-round. Refer to California ocean sport fishing regulations for bag limits, possession limits, filleting procedures on vessels, and other regulations pertaining to these species.
Pacific Herring
The recreational fishery for Pacific herring(opens in new tab) (Clupea pallasi) is open year-round. Ten gallons of Pacific herring may be taken per day (approximately 100 lb. or 520 fish). No specialized measuring device is required.
Dungeness Crab
NOTE: Crab traps may be set and fished north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County beginning at 8:01 a.m. Saturday, January 14. Please visit the Whale Safe Fisheries web page for the latest information, or to sign up for updates.
The recreational fishery for Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) is open from November 5, 2022 through June 30, 2023 south of the Mendocino/Sonoma county border. The daily bag limit is 10 crab, and the minimum size limit is 5¾ inches. Recreational crabbing is not allowed from vessels licensed for commercial Dungeness crab fishing.
Review crab measurement methods (PDF)(opens in new tab) and current California ocean sport fishing regulations for more Dungeness crab fishing information.
Rock Crab
NOTE: Crab traps may be set and fished north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County beginning at 8:01 a.m. Saturday, January 14. Please visit the Whale Safe Fisheries web page for the latest information, or to sign up for updates.
The recreational fishery for all rock crab species, including red crab(opens in new tab) (Cancer productus), yellow crab(opens in new tab) (Metacarcinus anthonyi) and brown crab (Romaleon antennarium) is open year-round, statewide. The daily bag limit is 35 crab, and the minimum size limit is 4 inches.
Review crab measurement methods (PDF)(opens in new tab) and the current California ocean sport fishing regulations for more rock crab fishing information.
Mussels
The recreational season for California sea mussel(opens in new tab) (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round.
The daily bag and possession limit is 10 pounds (in the shell) of California sea mussels and bay mussels in combination.
Note that the California Department of Public Health monitors and annually quarantines mussels(opens in new tab) to prevent human cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid(opens in new tab) poisoning; however, warnings advising consumers not to eat recreationally taken shellfish may be issued at any time. The annual quarantine is usually in effect from May through October, and applies only to sport-harvested mussels intended for human consumption. For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map(opens in new tab). You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories page.
Clams
During the open season, clams may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Each person must dig only their own limit of clams. Each person is required to keep a separate container for their clams and not commingle with clams taken by another person. Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams(opens in new tab), and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken. It is unlawful to be on any clam beach with any instrument capable of being used to dig clams during the closed night time hours.
Review California ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
Kelp
The daily bag limit on all marine aquatic plants for which the take is authorized is 10 pounds wet weight in the aggregate, except that 25 pounds of herring eggs on kelp may be collected. No eel grass, surf grass, or sea palm may be cut or disturbed at any time.
Other Species
See California ocean sport fishing regulations for complete information, including regulations for species not covered here.