Calendar of Marine Events

The Marine Region Calendar of Events contains information about events of interest to the public. Each listing includes a link to additional information.

Meeting and Event Resources

CDFW Public Meetings  |  California Fish and Game Commission(opens in new tab)  |  Pacific Fishery Management Council(opens in new tab)

January

January 29

• Last day to apply for a position as a member of the Ocean Resources Enhancement Advisory Panel
  E-mail or mail a letter of interest and resume to the CDFW Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program Coordinator, Valerie Taylor.

February

February 1

• First day of commercial spot prawn trap season south of Pt. Arguello

February 25

• CDFW Annual Salmon Information Meeting

February 28

• Last day of commercial warty sea cucumber diving season, and trawling season in the California Halibut Trawl Grounds and all federal waters

March

March 1

• First day of recreational boat-based groundfish season, Point Conception to the U.S.-Mexico border

March 14

• Last day of commercial California halibut trawl season within the California Halibut Trawl Grounds
• Last day of commercial white seabass season, south of Pt. Conception
• Last day of commercial giant red sea cucumber trawl season within the California Halibut Trawl Grounds

March 15

• Recreational white seabass daily bag limit reduced to one fish (through July 15) south of Point Conception

March 17

• Last day of commercial and recreational California spiny lobster season

March 18

• Last day of commercial and recreational Kellet's whelk season

March 29

• Experimental Fishing Permit Program Informational Webinar (PDF)(opens in new tab)
  A webinar to discuss the latest developments in implementing the California Fisheries Innovation Act of 2018. Click on the link above for further details.

March 31

• Last day of recreational and commercial grunion season
• Last day of recreational surfperch season in San Francisco and San Pablo bays (shiner perch excepted)

April

April 1

• First day of commercial pink shrimp trawling season, federal waters only
• First day of recreational boat-based groundfish season, Point Arena to Point Conception

April 3

• First day of recreational ocean salmon season, Pigeon Point to the U.S.-Mexico border

April 30

• Last day to report Spiny Lobster Report Cards
  Mail to address printed on report card or report online at the link above
• Last day of commercial spot prawn trapping season, north of Point Arguello
• Last day of commercial surfperch season (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Last day of recreational Pismo clam season in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties

May

May 1

• First day of recreational boat-based groundfish season, California-Oregon border to Point Arena
• First day of commercial coonstripe shrimp trapping season (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• First day of recreational Pacific halibut season
• First day of annual quarantine on sport-harvested mussels(opens in new tab)
• First day of the first May commercial ocean salmon opener, Pigeon Point to the U.S.-Mexico border

May 12

• Last day of the first May commercial ocean salmon opener, Pigeon Point to the U.S.-Mexico border

May 20

• First day of the second May commercial ocean salmon opener, Pigeon Point to the U.S.-Mexico border

May 27

• Last day of the second May commercial ocean salmon opener, Pigeon Point to the U.S.-Mexico border

May 31

• Last day of commercial ridgeback prawn trawl season, Southern California

June

June 1

• First day of recreational and commercial grunion season

June 15

• First day of commercial warty sea cucumber diving season, and trawling season in the California Halibut Trawl Grounds and all federal waters

June 16

• First day of commercial white seabass season, south of Pt. Conception
• First day of commercial California halibut trawl season, in the California Halibut Trawl Grounds
• First day of commercial giant red sea cucumber trawling season in the California Halibut Trawl Grounds and all federal waters
• First day of the June commercial ocean salmon opener, Point Arena to the U.S.-Mexico border

June 26

• First day of recreational ocean salmon season, Point Arena to Pigeon Point

June 29

• First day of recreational ocean salmon season, California-Oregon border to Point Arena

June 30

• Last day of recreational and commercial Dungeness crab season south of the Mendocino-Sonoma county line
• Last day of the June commercial ocean salmon opener, Point Arena to the U.S.-Mexico border

July

July 1

• First day of commercial and recreational Kellet's whelk season

July 3

• Free Fishing Day
  Anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license on Free Fishing Days. Note: All fishing regulations remain in effect.

July 15

• Last day of commercial Dungeness crab season, north of the Mendocino-Sonoma county line

July 17

• First day of the July commercial ocean salmon opener, Point Arena to the U.S.-Mexico border

July 22

• Last day of the July commercial ocean salmon opener, Point Arena to the U.S.-Mexico border

July 30

• Last day of recreational Dungeness crab season north of the Mendocino-Sonoma county line

August

August 1

• Last day of recreational ocean salmon season, California-Oregon border to the 40º10' Line (KMZ)
• First day of the August commercial ocean salmon opener, 40º10' Line to the U.S.-Mexico border
• First day of commercial and recreational Kellet's whelk season
• First day of recreational surfperch season in San Francisco and San Pablo bays
• First day of commercial spot prawn trapping season, north of Point Arguello

August 17

• Last day of the August commercial ocean salmon opener, 40º10' Line to the U.S.-Mexico border

September

September 1

• First day of recreational Pismo clam season in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties
• First day of the September commercial ocean salmon opener, 40º10' Line to Pigeon Point

September 4

• Free Fishing Day
  Anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license on Free Fishing Days. Note: All fishing regulations remain in effect.

September 30

• Last day of recreational ocean salmon season, Pigeon Point to the U.S.-Mexico border
• Last day of the September commercial ocean salmon opener, 40º10' Line to Pigeon Point

October

October 1

• One-day October commercial ocean salmon opener, Point Reyes to Point San Pedro

October 2

• First day of recreational spiny lobster season, 6:00 a.m.

October 4

• First day of the second October commercial ocean salmon opener, Point Reyes to Point San Pedro

October 6

• First day of commercial spiny lobster season

October 8

• Last day of the second October commercial ocean salmon opener, Point Reyes to Point San Pedro

October 11

• First day of the third October commercial ocean salmon opener, Point Reyes to Point San Pedro

October 15

• Last day of the third October commercial ocean salmon opener, Point Reyes to Point San Pedro

October 31

• Last day of annual quarantine on sport-harvested mussels(opens in new tab)
• Last day of recreational ocean salmon season, 40º10' Line to Pigeon Point
• Last day of commercial spot prawn trap season, south of Pt. Arguello
• Last day of commercial coonstripe shrimp trapping season (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Last day of commercial pink shrimp trawling season, federal waters only

November

November 6

• First day of recreational Dungeness crab season (scheduled)

November 15

• Last day of recreational Pacific halibut season, unless the quota is filled earlier
• First day of commercial Dungeness crab season, south of the Mendocino-Sonoma county line (scheduled)

December

December 1

• First day of commercial Dungeness crab season, north of the Mendocino-Sonoma county line (scheduled)

December 31

• Last day of recreational boat-based groundfish season, statewide