Rockfish
Boat-based anglers: "Offshore-Only" season open from September 16, 2023 through December 31, 2023
NOTE: Quillback rockfish(opens in new tab) may not be retained effective August 7, 2023, for the remainder of the year. Read the press release announcing the regulation change.(opens in new tab) More Information(opens in new tab)
Please see the current Southern Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table(opens in new tab) for current recreational rockfish fishing regulations.
Rockfish Identification Guides (PDFs)(opens in new tab)
Cabezon
Boat-based anglers: "Offshore-Only" season open from September 16, 2023 through December 31, 2023
Please see the current Southern Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table(opens in new tab) for current recreational cabezon(opens in new tab) fishing regulations.
Kelp Greenling, Rock Greenling
Boat-based anglers: "Offshore-Only" season open from September 16, 2023 through December 31, 2023
Please see the current Southern Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table(opens in new tab) for current recreational kelp greenling(opens in new tab) and rock greenling(opens in new tab) fishing regulations.
Lingcod
Boat-based anglers: "Offshore-Only" season open from September 16, 2023 through December 31, 2023
Please see the current Southern Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table(opens in new tab) for current recreational lingcod(opens in new tab) fishing regulations.
Leopard Shark
The recreational fishery for leopard shark(opens in new tab) (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(opens in new tab) (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 table of groundfish regulations.
View additional groundfish information.
Petrale Sole and Starry Flounder
The recreational fisheries for petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) and starry flounder(opens in new tab) (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(opens in new tab) (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(opens in new tab) (Paralichthys californicus) remains open year-round. The daily bag and possession limit is five fish south of Point Sur, Monterey County. The minimum size limit is 22 inches total length.
Kelp Bass, Barred Sand Bass, Spotted Sand Bass
The fisheries for kelp bass(opens in new tab), barred sand bass(opens in new tab), and spotted sand bass(opens in new tab) (Paralabrax species) remains open year-round. The daily bag and possession limit is five fish in any combination of species. The minimum size limit is 14 inches total length or 10 inches alternate length.
White Seabass
The recreational fishery for white seabass(opens in new tab) (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) (Bodianus pulcher) is open year-round to divers and shore-based anglers. This fishery is open to boat-based anglers from March 1, 2023 through December 31, 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(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(opens in new tab) (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 broadnose sevengill shark (PDF)(opens in new tab) (Notorynchus cepedianus) allow take of one fish per day with no size limit. The bag limits for shortfin mako shark(opens in new tab) (Isurus oxyrinchus), thresher shark(opens in new tab) (Alopias vulpinus), and blue shark(opens in new tab) (Prionace glauca) allow take of two fish per day with no size limit.
Yellowtail
The fishery for yellowtail(opens in new tab) (Seriola dorsalis) remains open year-round. The daily bag and possession limit is ten fish. The minimum size limit is 24 inches fork length (PDF)(opens in new tab), except that up to five fish less than 24 inches fork length may be taken or possessed.
Tunas
The recreational fishery for tunas is open year-round. Refer to California ocean sport fishing regulations for bag limits, possession limits, fillet procedures on vessels, and other regulations pertaining to these species.
Surfperch
The recreational fishery for surfperch (PDF)(opens in new tab) (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(opens in new tab) (Cymatogaster aggregata) have a separate bag and possession limit of 20 fish. Redtail surfperch(opens in new tab) (Amphistichus rhodoterus) have a minimum size limit of 10½ inches total length.
Identification Guide: Common Surfperches of California (PDF)(opens in new tab)
California Grunion
The recreational fishery for California grunion(opens in new tab) (Leuresthes tenuis) is open from July 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024. The bag limit is 30 fish. Grunion may only be taken by hand, and no holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them. Information about grunion, including a grunion run schedule, can be found on The Amazing Grunion page.
Pacific Herring
The recreational fishery for Pacific herring (PDF)(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.
Rock Crab
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(opens in new tab) (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 booklet for more rock crab fishing information.
See additional information about rock crab and other species of crab.
Mussels
NOTE: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued its annual quarantine on the collection of mussels(opens in new tab) intended for human consumption. The quarantine is usually in effect from May 1 through October 31 each year.
The recreational season for California sea mussel(opens in new tab) (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round. Currently, mussels should only be collected for non-consumptive uses (for example, fish bait). 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 nighttime hours.
Review 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 eelgrass(opens in new tab), surfgrass(opens in new tab), or sea palm may be cut or disturbed at any time.
Other Species
See California ocean sport fishing regulations for complete regulations, including regulations for species not covered here.