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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
Printer-friendly version of this table (PDF)
Note: Before engaging in ocean sportfishing for groundfish and associated species, please review one of the resources listed in Footnote 1 to receive the most up-to-date regulations. Some marine protected areas restrict or prohibit sport fishing. Check the MPA page for more information.
Species1
|
Time Period1,2,3
|
Depth Limit 1,2,3
|
Daily Bag Limit1
|
Min. Size Limit1,4,5
|
RCG Complex
(including all species of Rockfishes, Cabezon and Greenlings, Sections 1.91 and 28.55, 28.28, and 28.29)
|
Boat-based Anglers2:
Open: May 1 - Oct 31, and Nov 1 - Dec 31
Closed: Jan 1 - Apr 30
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2:
Open year-round
|
May 1 - Oct 31: Take is prohibited seaward of the 30 fathom (180 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line, which is a series of connected waypoints defined in Federal regulations (50 CFR Part 660, Subpart C)
Nov 1 - Dec 31: May be taken at any depth
SEE EXCEPTION AT END OF TABLE
|
10 fish in combination per person EXCEPT:
Vermilion rockfish: 4 fish per person
Quillback rockfish: 1 fish per person
Copper rockfish: 1 fish per person
|
See individual species and groups below:
Cabezon: 15” total length
Kelp and/or rock greenlings: 12” total length
|
THESE ROCKFISHES MAY NOT BE TAKEN OR POSSESSED IN CALIFORNIA:
Bronzespotted Rockfish, Cowcod, and Yelloweye Rockfish (Section 28.55)
FISHING IS CLOSED year-round, at all depths — NO RETENTION at any time (zero fish per person)
|
Lingcod
(Section 28.27)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
2 fish per person
|
22” total length
|
Leopard Shark6
(Section 28.56)
|
All Anglers within Humboldt Bay: Open year-round
All Anglers outside of Humboldt Bay: Same as RCG Complex, above
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2: Open year-round
|
All Anglers within Humboldt Bay: No depth limit
All Anglers outside of Humboldt Bay: Same as RCG Complex, above
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2: Same as RCG Complex, above
|
3 fish per person
|
36” total length
|
Pacific Sanddabs and “Other Flatfish”3
(Section 28.48)
|
Open year-round
|
No depth limit
|
Pacific sanddab: No limit
All “Other Flatfish”3: 10 fish of each species, limit 20 fish in combination per Section 27.60(a)
|
No size limit
|
Petrale Sole and Starry Flounder
(Section 28.47)
|
Open year-round
|
No depth limit
|
No limit
|
No size limit
|
Other Federal Groundfish
(Section 28.49)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
Soupfin shark: 1 fish per person
All Other Federal Groundfish: 10 fish of each species, limit 20 fish in combination per Section 27.60(a)
|
No size limit
|
Notes
EXCEPTION: During the open season, groundfish may be possessed in closed areas and in water depths closed to fishing only aboard vessels in transit with no fishing gear in the water. See Section 27.20(b).
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
Printer-friendly version of this table (PDF)
Note: Before engaging in ocean sportfishing for groundfish and associated species, please review one of the resources listed in Footnote 1 to receive the most up-to-date regulations. Some marine protected areas restrict or prohibit sport fishing. Check the MPA website for more information.
Species1
|
Time Period1,2,3
|
Depth Limit1,2,3
|
Daily Bag Limit1
|
Min. Size Limit1,4,5
|
RCG Complex
(including all species of Rockfishes, Cabezon and Greenlings, Sections 1.91 and 28.55, 28.28, and 28.29)
|
Boat-based Anglers2:
Open: May 1 - Oct 31, and Nov 1 - Dec 31
Closed: Jan 1 - Apr 30
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2:
Open year-round
|
May 1 - Oct 31: Take is prohibited seaward of the 30 fathom (180 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line, which is a series of connected waypoints defined in Federal regulations (50 CFR Part 660, Subpart C)
Nov 1 - Dec 31: May be taken at any depth
SEE EXCEPTION AT END OF TABLE
|
10 fish in combination per person EXCEPT:
Vermilion rockfish: 4 fish per person
Quillback rockfish: 1 fish per person
Copper rockfish: 1 fish per person
|
See individual species and groups below:
Cabezon: 15” total length
Kelp and/or rock greenlings: 12” total length
|
THESE ROCKFISHES MAY NOT BE TAKEN OR POSSESSED IN CALIFORNIA:
Bronzespotted Rockfish, Cowcod, and Yelloweye Rockfish (Section 28.55)
FISHING IS CLOSED year-round, at all depths — NO RETENTION at any time (zero fish per person)
|
Lingcod
(Section 28.27)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
2 fish per person
|
22” total length
|
California Scorpionfish
(Section 28.54)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
5 fish per person
|
10” total length
|
Leopard Shark
(Section 28.56)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
3 fish per person
|
36” total length
|
Pacific Sanddab and “Other Flatfish”3
(Section 28.48)
|
Open year-round
|
No depth limit3
|
Pacific sanddab: No limit
All “Other Flatfish”3: 10 fish of each species, limit 20 fish total in combination, per Section 27.60(a)
|
No size limit
|
Petrale Sole and Starry Flounder
(Section 28.47)
|
Open year-round
|
No depth limit
|
No limit
|
No size limit
|
Other Federal Groundfish
(Section 28.49)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
Soupfin shark: 1 fish per person
All Other Federal Groundfish: 10 fish of each species, limit 20 fish total in combination, per Section 27.60(a)
|
No size limit
|
EXCEPTION: During the open season, groundfish may be possessed in closed areas and in water depths closed to fishing only aboard vessels in transit with no fishing gear in the water. See Section 27.20(b).
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
Printer-friendly version of this table (PDF)
Note: Before engaging in ocean sportfishing for groundfish and associated species, please review one of the resources listed in Footnote 1 to receive the most up-to-date regulations. Some marine protected areas restrict or prohibit sport fishing. Check the MPA page for more information.
Species1
|
Time Period1,2,3,4
|
Depth Limit1,2,3,4
|
Daily Bag Limit1
|
Min. Size Limit1,5,6
|
RCG Complex
(including all species of Rockfishes, Cabezon and Greenlings, Sections 1.91 and 28.55, 28.28, and 28.29)
|
Boat-based Anglers2:
Open: Apr 1 - Dec 31
Closed: Jan 1 - Mar 31
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2:
Open year-round
|
Take is prohibited seaward of the 50 fathom (300 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line, which is a series of connected waypoints defined in Federal regulations (50 CFR Part 660, Subpart C)
SEE EXCEPTION AT END OF TABLE
|
10 fish in combination per person EXCEPT:
Vermilion rockfish: 4 fish per person
Quillback rockfish: 1 fish per person
Copper rockfish: 1 fish per person
|
See individual species and groups below:
Cabezon: 15” total length
Kelp and/or rock greenlings: 12” total length
|
THESE ROCKFISHES MAY NOT BE TAKEN OR POSSESSED IN CALIFORNIA:
Bronzespotted Rockfish, Cowcod, and Yelloweye Rockfish (Section 28.55)
FISHING IS CLOSED year-round, at all depths — NO RETENTION at any time (zero fish per person)
|
Lingcod
(Section 28.27)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
2 fish per person
|
22” total length
|
California Scorpionfish
(Section 28.54)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
5 fish per person
|
10” total length
|
Leopard Shark7
(Section 28.56)
|
All Anglers within San Francisco Bay, Bodega Harbor, Tomales Bay, Bolinas Bay, and Drakes Bay1: Open year-round
All Anglers outside of the above-mentioned bays: Same as RCG Complex, above
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2: Open year-round
|
All Anglers within San Francisco Bay, Bodega Harbor, Tomales Bay, Bolinas Bay, and Drakes Bay1: No depth limit
All Anglers outside of the above-mentioned bays: Same as RCG Complex, above
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2: Same as RCG Complex, above
|
3 fish per person
|
36” total length
|
Pacific Sanddab and “Other Flatfish”3
(Section 28.48)
|
Open year-round
|
No depth limit4
|
Pacific sanddab: No limit
All “Other Flatfish”3: 10 fish of each species, limit 20 fish total in combination per Section 27.60(a)
|
No size limit
|
Petrale Sole and Starry Flounder
(Section 28.47)
|
Open year-round
|
No depth limit4
|
No limit
|
No size limit
|
Other Federal Groundfish
(Section 28.49)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
Soupfin shark: 1 fish per person
All Other Federal Groundfish: 10 fish of each species, limit 20 fish total in combination per Section 27.60(a)
|
No size limit
|
EXCEPTION: During the open season, groundfish may be possessed in closed areas and in water depths closed to fishing only aboard vessels in transit with no fishing gear in the water. See Section 27.20(b).
Central Management Area
Ocean waters between 37°11' N. latitude (Pigeon Point) and 34°27' N. latitude (Point Conception)
Includes all of Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, and parts of Santa Barbara and San Mateo Counties
Printer-friendly version of this table (PDF)
Note: Before engaging in ocean sport fishing for groundfish and associated species, please review one of the resources listed in Footnote 1 to receive the most up-to-date regulations. Some marine protected areas restrict or prohibit sport fishing. Check the MPA pages for more information.
Species1
|
Time Period1,2,3
|
Depth Limit1,2,3
|
Daily Bag Limit1
|
Min. Size Limit1,4,5
|
RCG Complex
(including all species of Rockfishes, Cabezon and Greenlings, Sections 1.91 and 28.55, 28.28, and 28.29)
|
Boat-based Anglers2:
Open: Apr 1 - Dec 31
Closed: Jan 1 - Mar 31
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2:
Open year-round
|
Take is prohibited seaward of the 50 fathom (300 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line, which is a series of connected waypoints defined in Federal regulations (50 CFR Part 660, Subpart C)
SEE EXCEPTION AT END OF TABLE
|
10 fish in combination per person EXCEPT:
Vermilion rockfish: 4 fish per person
Quillback rockfish: 1 fish per person
Copper rockfish: 1 fish per person
|
See individual species and groups below:
Cabezon: 15” total length
Kelp and/or rock greenlings: 12” total length
|
THESE ROCKFISHES MAY NOT BE TAKEN OR POSSESSED IN CALIFORNIA:
Bronzespotted Rockfish, Cowcod, and Yelloweye Rockfish (Section 28.55)
FISHING IS CLOSED year-round, at all depths — NO RETENTION at any time (zero fish per person)
|
Lingcod
(Section 28.27)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
2 fish per person
|
22" total length
|
Ocean Whitefish
(Section 28.58)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
10 fish per person
|
No size limit
|
California Sheephead
(Section 28.26)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
5 fish per person
|
12” total length
|
California Scorpionfish
(Section 28.54)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
5 fish per person
|
10” total length
|
Leopard Shark6
(Section 28.56)
|
All Anglers within Elkhorn Slough1: Open year-round
All Anglers outside of Elkhorn Slough: Same as RCG Complex, above
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2:
Open year-round
|
All Anglers within Elkhorn Slough1: No depth limit
All Anglers outside of Elkhorn Slough: Same as RCG Complex, above
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2: Same as RCG Complex, above
|
3 fish per person
|
36” total length
|
Pacific Sanddab and “Other Flatfish”3
(Section 28.48)
|
Open year-round
|
No depth limit
|
Pacific sanddab: No limit All “Other Flatfish” 3: 10 fish of each species, limit 20 fish total in combination, per Section 27.60(a)
|
No size limit
|
Petrale Sole and Starry Flounder
(Section 28.47)
|
Open year-round
|
No depth limit
|
No limit
|
No size limit
|
Other Federal Groundfish
(Section 28.49)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
Soupfin shark: 1 fish per person
All Other Federal Groundfish: 10 fish of each species, limit 20 fish total in combination, per Section 27.60(a)
|
No size limit
|
EXCEPTION: During the open season, groundfish may be possessed in closed areas and in water depths closed to fishing only aboard vessels in transit with no fishing gear in the water. See Section 27.20(b).
Southern Management Area
Ocean waters between 34°27' N. latitude (Point Conception) and the U.S.-Mexico Border, excluding the Cowcod Conservation Areas3
Includes a portion of Santa Barbara County, and all of Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties
Printer-friendly version of this table (PDF)
Note: Before engaging in ocean sportfishing for groundfish and associated species, please review one of the resources listed in Footnote 1 to receive the most up-to-date regulations. Some marine protected areas restrict or prohibit sport fishing. Check the MPA pages for more information.
Species1
|
Time Period1,2,3,4
|
Depth Limit1,2,3,4
|
Daily Bag Limit1
|
Min. Size Limit1,5,6
|
RCG Complex
(including all species of Rockfishes, Cabezon and Greenlings. Sections 1.91 and 28.55, 28.28, and 28.29)
|
Boat-based Anglers2:
Open: Mar 1 - Dec 31
Closed: Jan 1 - Feb 28
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2: Open year-round
|
Take is prohibited seaward of the 100 fathom (600 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line, which is a series of connected waypoints defined in Federal regulations (50 CFR Part 660, Subpart C)
SEE EXCEPTION AT END OF TABLE
|
10 fish in combination per person EXCEPT:
Vermilion rockfish: 4 fish per person
Quillback rockfish: 1 fish per person
Copper rockfish: 1 fish per person
|
See individual species and groups below:
Cabezon: 15” total length
Kelp and/or rock greenlings: 12” total length
|
THESE ROCKFISHES MAY NOT BE TAKEN OR POSSESSED IN CALIFORNIA:
Bronzespotted Rockfish, Cowcod, and Yelloweye Rockfish (Section 28.55)
FISHING IS CLOSED year-round, at all depths — NO RETENTION at any time (zero fish per person)
|
Lingcod
(Section 28.27)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
2 fish per person
|
22” total length
|
Ocean Whitefish
(Section 28.58)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
10 fish per person
|
No size limit
|
California Sheephead
(Section 28.26)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
5 fish per person
|
12” total length
|
California Scorpionfish
(Section 28.54)
|
Open year-round
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
5 fish per person
|
10” total length
|
Leopard Shark7
(Section 28.56)
|
All Anglers within Newport Bay, Alamitos Bay, San Diego Bay, and Mission Bay: Open year-round
All Anglers outside of the above-mentioned bays: Same as RCG Complex, above
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2:
Open year-round
|
All Anglers within Newport Bay, Alamitos Bay, San Diego Bay, and Mission Bay: No depth limit
All Anglers outside of the above-mentioned bays: Same as RCG Complex, above
Divers, Shore-based Anglers2: Same as RCG complex, above
|
3 fish per person
|
36” total length
|
Pacific Sanddab and “Other Flatfish”4 (Section 28.48)
|
Open year-round
|
No depth limit
|
Pacific sanddab: No limit
All “Other Flatfish”4: 10 fish of each species, limit 20 fish total in combination per Section 27.60(a)
|
No size limit
|
Petrale Sole and Starry Flounder
(Section 28.47)
|
Open year-round
|
No depth limit
|
No limit
|
No size limit
|
Other Federal Groundfish
(Section 28.49)
|
Same as RCG Complex, above
|
Soupfin shark: 1 fish per person
All Other Federal Groundfish: 10 fish of each species, limit 20 fish total in combination, per Section 27.60(a)
|
No size limit
|
EXCEPTION: During the open season, groundfish may be possessed in closed areas and in water depths closed to fishing only aboard vessels in transit with no fishing gear in the water. See Section 27.20(b).
Cowcod Conservation Areas
Ocean waters between 34°27' N. latitude (Point Conception) and the U.S.-Mexico Border:
Area 1 is located south of the northern Channel Islands. Area 2 is located west of San Diego.
View a map and exact location coordinates.
In these areas, only the groundfish listed within this table may be caught or possessed (See EXCEPTION at end of table).
Printer-friendly version of this table (PDF)
Note: Before engaging in ocean sportfishing for groundfish and associated species, please review one of the resources listed in Footnote 3 to receive the most up-to-date regulations. Some marine protected areas restrict or prohibit sport fishing. Check the MPA pages for more information.
Species3
|
Time Period3,4
|
Depth Limit3,4
|
Daily Bag Limit3
|
Min. Size Limit3,6,7
|
Nearshore Rockfish1 and Shelf Rockfish2 as defined in Section 1.91(a)(1) and 1.91(a)(3), and Cabezon and Greenlings as defined in sections 28.28 and 28.29
|
Boat-based Anglers4:
Open: Mar 1 - Dec 31
Closed: Jan 1 - Feb 28
Divers, Shore-based Anglers4:
Open year-round
|
Take is prohibited seaward of the 40 fathom (240 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line, which is a series of connected waypoints defined in Federal regulations (50 CFR Part 660, Subpart C)
SEE EXCEPTION AT END OF TABLE
|
10 fish in combination per person EXCEPT:
Vermilion rockfish: 4 fish per person
Quillback rockfish: 1 fish per person
Copper rockfish: 1 fish per person
|
See individual species and groups below:
Cabezon: 15” total length
Kelp and/or rock greenlings: 12” total length
|
Lingcod
(Section 28.27)
|
Same as Nearshore Rockfish, Shelf Rockfish, Cabezon, and Greenlings, above
|
2 fish per person
|
22” total length
|
Ocean Whitefish
(Section 28.58)
|
Same as Nearshore Rockfish, Shelf Rockfish, Cabezon, and Greenlings, above
|
10 fish per person
|
No size limit
|
California Sheephead
(Section 28.26)
|
Same as Nearshore Rockfish, Shelf Rockfish, Cabezon, and Greenlings, above
|
5 fish per person
|
12” total length
|
California Scorpionfish
(Section 28.54)
|
Open year-round
|
Same as Nearshore Rockfish, Shelf Rockfish, Cabezon, and Greenlings, above
|
5 fish per person
|
10” total length
|
Pacific Sanddab and “Other Flatfish”5 (Section 28.48)
|
Open year-round
|
No depth limit
|
Pacific sanddab: No limit
All “Other Flatfish”5: 10 fish of each species, limit 20 fish total in combination, per Section 27.60(a)
|
No size limit
|
Petrale Sole and Starry Flounder
(Section 28.47)
|
Open year-round
|
No depth limit
|
No limit
|
No size limit
|
THE GROUNDFISH SPECIES LISTED BELOW MAY NOT BE TAKEN IN THE COWCOD CONSERVATION AREAS. FISHING IS CLOSED year-round, at all depths — NO RETENTION at any time (zero fish per person):
- Cowcod, Bronzespotted and Yelloweye Rockfishes (Section 28.55)
- Slope Rockfishes as defined in subsection 1.91(a)(4)
- Leopard Shark (Section 28.56(a)(6))
- Other Federal Groundfish (Section 28.49(a)(6))
|
EXCEPTION: During the open season, groundfish may be possessed in closed areas and in water depths closed to fishing only aboard vessels in transit with no fishing gear in the water. See Section 27.20(b).