This page contains information about unscheduled, in-season regulation changes for recreational and commercial ocean fishing.
CDFW is required to notify the public of in-season regulation changes for groundfish at least 10 days before the new regulations becomes effective, via news release.
The department shall give the public and the National Marine Fisheries Service no less than 10 days notice of any fishery closure or rule change implemented pursuant to this Section via a department news release. - California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 27.20(f)
For information about new and proposed in-season regulation changes separate from those under Fish and Game Commission rulemaking authority, visit CDFW's Proposed Regulations page.
Further information may be obtained by calling your local CDFW office. You may also sign up for the Marine Region News Service to receive automatic notification of in-season regulation changes.
News Releases, Updates and Informational Notices
May 9, 2025
Southern California Pacific Sardine Take Restrictions In Place Due to Public Health Hazard
April 24, 2025
Commercial Rock Crab Fishery Opens from California/Oregon Border to Humboldt Bay
April 21, 2025
Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishing Opportunity Continues in Northern Management Area, Will Close in Central Management Area to Protect Whales from Entanglement
April 15, 2025
Pacific Fishery Management Council Recommends Limited Recreational Ocean Salmon Season, Continued Closure for Commercial Salmon Fishing off California
April 3, 2025
CDFW Protects Returning Humpback Whales from Entanglement Risk While Providing Continued Fishing Opportunities for Dungeness Crab
Summaries of Regulation or Season Changes
May 9, 2025
CDFW has restricted the take of Pacific sardine for human consumption south of Point Conception (34° 27.000’ N. lat.) to the California/Mexico border . Take is restricted in this area due to elevated levels of domoic acid in the fish. The commercial Pacific sardine fishery for live bait and the recreational fishery for bait purposes only remain open. The restrictions will be lifted when domoic acid levels in Pacific sardine no longer pose a threat to public health, as determined by state health agencies. The current fishery restrictions only apply to Pacific sardine.
April 24, 2025
The commercial rock crab fishery has been reopened from the California/Oregon border south to near Cape Mendocino, Humboldt County (40°30.00’ N. lat.) as of April 24, 2025. The commercial fishery continues to be open south of the Humboldt-Mendocino county line to the U.S.-Mexico border. A fishery closure remains in effect from the Mendocino/Humboldt county line (40°00.00’ N. lat.) to 40°30.00’ N. lat. (near Cape Mendocino, Humboldt County), until state health agencies determine that domoic acid levels no longer pose a significant risk to public health in this area and recommend the fisheries be opened, and the CDFW director provides notification of fishery reopening to commercial fishermen.
CDPH's health advisory regarding consumption of recreationally-taken rock crab is still in effect from the Mendocino/Humboldt county line to Cape Mendocino, Humboldt County. CDPH recommends that consumers not eat the viscera (internal organs, also known as "butter" or "guts") of crabs caught in this area.
April 21, 2025
The commercial Dungeness crab season will close on May 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Fishing Zone 3 (from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line, 38°46.125' N latitude, to Pigeon Point, 37°11' N latitude). The commercial season will remain open in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 (California/Oregon state line to Sonoma/Mendocino county line) under existing trap reductions and depth constraints.
A recreational crab trap restriction will be implemented in Fishing Zone 3 on May 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Crab traps may not be set or used to take crab recreationally in this area. Crab may be taken by other methods (including hoop nets and crab snares) through the close of the season.
A Fleet Advisory remains in effect for both commercial and recreational crab fisheries statewide where the season is open. Avoid setting gear in areas where whales are present and follow best practices for crabbing with traps.
April 15, 2025
The Pacific Fishery Management Council recommended limited fishing opportunities for California's 2025 recreational ocean salmon fisheries, and the closure of California's commercial salmon fisheries. Statewide, the recreational season will open June 7-8, with a 7,000 Chinook salmon summer harvest guideline. If the limit is not attained in those two days, the fishery will open again July 5-6. Additional dates are available in late July and August if the summer harvest guideline is not attained. For ocean waters between Point Reyes and Point Sur, the fall fishing season will open September 4-7, with a 7,500 Chinook salmon fall harvest guideline. If this guideline is not attained, the fishery will reopen September 29-30. Additional days are available in October between Point Reyes to Pigeon Point if any of the fall harvest guideline remains.
April 3, 2025
The commercial Dungeness crab season will close on April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Fishing Zones 4, 5, and 6 (from Pigeon Point, 37°11' N. latitude, San Mateo County to the U.S./Mexico border). The commercial season will remain open in Fishing Zones 1, 2, and 3 (California/Oregon state line to Pigeon Point) under existing trap reductions. A 30-fathom depth constraint will also be implemented, prohibiting the use of traps in the commercial fishery in waters seaward of the 30-fathom depth contour as defined by specific waypoints in federal regulations.
A recreational crab trap restriction will be implemented in Fishing Zone 4 (from Pigeon Point to near Lopez Point, 36°00' N latitude, Monterey County) on April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Crab traps may not be set or used to take crab recreationally in this area. Crab may be taken by other methods (including hoop nets and crab snares) through the close of the season.
A Fleet Advisory remains in effect for both commercial and recreational crab fisheries statewide. Avoid setting gear in areas where whales are present and follow best practices for crabbing with traps.