Rockfish
Please see the Southern Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table for current recreational rockfish fishing regulations.
Rockfish Identification Guides (PDFs)(opens in new tab)
Cabezon
Please see the Southern Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table for current recreational cabezon(opens in new tab) fishing regulations.
Kelp Greenling, Rock Greenling
Please see the Southern Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table for current recreational kelp greenling(opens in new tab) and rock greenling(opens in new tab) fishing regulations.
Lingcod
Please see the Southern Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table 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. For complete regulation information, see current ocean sport fishing regulations.
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 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 . For complete regulation information, including size limits, bag limits, and other regulations pertaining to these species, see current ocean sport fishing regulations.
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 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. For complete regulation information, see current ocean sport fishing regulations.
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 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. For complete regulation information, see current ocean sport fishing regulations.
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 additional groundfish information.
Other Federally Managed Groundfish
The recreational fisheries for all other federally managed groundfish species (soupfin shark(opens in new tab), Dover sole, English sole, arrowtooth flounder, spiny dogfish(opens in new tab), skates, ratfish, grenadiers, finescale codling, Pacific cod, Pacific whiting(opens in new tab), sablefish(opens in new tab), and thornyheads) are open year-round, at all depths. Refer to groundfish sport fishing regulations. For complete regulation information, including size limits, bag limits, and other regulations pertaining to these species, see current ocean sport fishing regulations.
The groundfish group includes over 90 species that live on or near the bottom of the ocean (with a few exceptions). 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, 2024 through December 31, 2024. 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, 2024 through March 31, 2025. 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 schedule of expected grunion runs, can be found on CDFW's California Grunion Facts and Expected Runs web 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.
Spiny Lobster
The recreational fishery for California spiny lobster(opens in new tab) (Panulirus interruptus) is open from 6:00 p.m. on September 27, 2024 through March 19, 2025. The daily bag limit is seven lobster. The minimum size limit is three and one-fourth inches measured along the midline of the upper body(opens in new tab) from the rear edge of the eye socket (between the horns) to the rear edge of the carapace (body shell).
Important reminders:
- Hoop nets used south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County) must have a surface buoy marked with the operator's GO ID number. Where there is more than one hoop net operator fishing for lobster, only the GO ID number of one operator is required on each hoop net buoy (hoop nets deployed by persons from shore/pier excepted).
- Divers may possess spearfishing equipment while diving for crustaceans (including lobsters), however such equipment may not be used to take lobster.
- Hoop netters may bring lobster aboard a vessel where they can be measured safely.
- A Spiny Lobster Report Card is required for all persons taking spiny lobster, including persons under the age of 16. Review how to correctly fill out a spiny lobster report card(opens in new tab).
- No more than five hoop nets may be possessed by one person when taking spiny lobster. No more than 10 hoop nets may be possessed per vessel when taking spiny lobster.
- Hoop netters are required to raise the net to the surface and inspect the contents of the net at least every two hours.
For information concerning consumption advisories or fishery closures related to domoic acid(opens in new tab), please access one of the following sources:
- Call the CDFW Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at (831) 649-2883 for the latest status of the spiny lobster season.
- Call the CDPH Shellfish Biotoxin Information line at: (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133 for updated spiny lobster consumption advisories, or Check CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page.
- Check the Marine Region News Room for news releases or blog posts with information about the recreational spiny lobster season.
- Call or drop by your local Marine Region CDFW office for the latest information before heading out on a fishing trip.
See the CDFW Recreational Lobster Fishing Information web page for more California spiny lobster fishing information.
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
The recreational season for California sea mussel(opens in new tab) (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round.
The daily bag and possession limit is 10 pounds (in the shell) of California sea mussels and bay mussels in combination. For complete regulation information, see current ocean sport fishing regulations.
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.