Rockfish
Please see the Central Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table for current rockfish fishing regulations.
Rockfish Identification Guides (PDFs)(opens in new tab)
Cabezon
Please see the Central Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table for current cabezon fishing regulations.
Kelp Greenling, Rock Greenling
Please see the Central Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table for current kelp greenling and rock greenling fishing regulations.
Lingcod
Please see the Central Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table for current lingcod fishing regulations.
Leopard Shark
The recreational fishery for leopard shark (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 (Citharichthys sordidus), butter sole (Isopsetta isolepis), curlfin sole (Pleuronichthys decurrens), flathead sole (Hippoglossoides elassodon), rex sole (PDF)(opens in new tab) (Glyptocephalus zachirus), rock sole (Lepidopsetta bilineata), and sand sole (Psettichthys melanostictus). Refer to groundfish sport fishing regulations for further information. 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 (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 (Scorpaena guttata) is open year-round, at all depths. The daily bag and possession limit is 5 fish with no minimum size limit. 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, 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. 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.
Ocean Salmon
The recreational fishery for ocean salmon is open as of April 11, 2026 south of Pigeon Point, San Mateo County, to the US-Mexico border. In this area, the season will continue through August 31, 2026 or until the 21,800 fish harvest guideline is reached, whichever is earlier.
The daily bag and possession limit is 2 salmon of any species except coho (silver), which may not be taken or possessed. The salmon minimum size limit is 20 inches total length. No more than two daily bag limits may be possessed when on land. On a vessel in ocean waters, no person shall possess or bring ashore more than one daily bag limit. Salmon may not be filleted on any boat.
More information is available on the CDFW Ocean Salmon Fishery Information web page and 2026 Ocean Salmon Sport Regulations (PDF) flyer.
Pacific Halibut
The recreational fishery for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) is open as of April 1, 2026. South of Point Arena, Mendocino County the season will remain open through December 31, 2026 or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier. The daily bag and possession limit for Pacific halibut is one fish, with no minimum size limit. When angling, no more than one line with two hooks attached may be used. For complete regulation information, see current ocean sport fishing regulations. For further information about Pacific halibut, please visit the CDFW Pacific halibut web page.
California Halibut
The recreational fishery for California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) remains open year-round. The daily bag and total possession limit is five fish south of Point Sur, Monterey County. The minimum size limit is 22 inches total length.
White Seabass
The recreational fishery for white seabass (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 (Bodianus pulcher) is open year-round to divers and shore-based anglers. This fishery is open to boat-based anglers from March 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. 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 (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 (Notorynchus cepedianus) allow take of one fish per day with no size limit. The bag limits for shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus), and blue shark (Prionace glauca) allow take of two fish per day with no size limit.
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 (Cymatogaster aggregata) have a separate bag and possession limit of 20 fish. Redtail surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterus) have a minimum size limit of 10½ inches total length.
Identification Guide: Common Surfperches of California (PDF)
Tunas
The recreational fishery for tunas is open year-round. Refer to California ocean sport fishing regulations for bag limits, possession limits, filleting procedures on vessels, and other regulations pertaining to these species.
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
NOTE: Traps may not be set or fished in ocean waters between Pigeon Point, San Mateo County and Point Conception (Fishing Zones 4 and 5) due to an elevated risk of marine life entanglement. The use of hoop nets and crab snares is permitted (see this summary of regulations for hoop net use north of Point Arguello (PDF), and additional information including Frequently Asked Questions about crab traps and hoop nets). Please visit the Whale Safe Fisheries web page for the latest information, or to sign up for updates.
The recreational fishery for all rock crab species, including red crab (Cancer productus), yellow crab (Metacarcinus anthonyi) and brown crab (Romaleon antennarium) is open year-round, statewide. The daily bag limit is 35 crab, and the minimum size limit is 4 inches.
Crabbers can sign up for crab trap restriction notifications through the Marine Region News Service.
Review crab measurement methods (PDF)(opens in new tab) and the current California ocean sport fishing regulations for more rock crab fishing information.
Mussels
NOTE: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued its annual, statewide 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. For the latest advisory information, 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).
The recreational season for California sea mussel (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. For complete regulation information, see current ocean sport fishing regulations.
Note that the California Department of Public Health monitors and annually quarantines mussels to prevent human cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid 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. You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories page.
Clams
NOTE: The Pismo clam season is closed from May 1 through August 31 every year in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The season reopens on September 1, 2026.
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 California 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, surfgrass, or sea palm may be cut or disturbed at any time.
Other Species
See California ocean sport fishing regulations for complete information, including regulations for species not covered here.