Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations

In-Season Updates

• Quillback rockfish may not be retained effective August 7, 2023, for the remainder of the year. Read the press release announcing the regulation change. Also, read the Quillback Rockfish In-season Informational Briefing document.(opens in new tab)
• The nearshore fishery in the Northern Management Area is closed shoreward of the 50 fathom Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line effective August 21, 2023, for the remainder of the year. Read the press release announcing the regulation change.
• The nearshore fishery in the Mendocino, San Francisco, and Central management areas will close shoreward of the 50 fathom Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line effective September 1, 2023, for the remainder of the year. Read the press release announcing the regulation change.

Some marine protected areas (MPAs) restrict or prohibit sport fishing within MPAs. Visit the MPA pages for more information.

• Northern Management Area
  The California-Oregon border to Cape Mendocino (40°10' N. latitude)
• Mendocino Management Area
  Cape Mendocino (40°10' N. latitude) to Point Arena (38°57.5' N. latitude)
• San Francisco Management Area
  Point Arena (38°57.5' N. latitude) to Pigeon Point (37°11' N. latitude)
• Central Management Area
  Pigeon Point (37°11' N. latitude) to Point Conception (34°27' N. latitude)
• Southern Management Area
  Point Conception (34°27' N. latitude) to the U.S.-Mexico border
• Cowcod Conservation Areas

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

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

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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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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).

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