Rockfish
Please see the Northern Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table for current rockfish recreational fishing regulations.
Rockfish Identification Guides (PDFs)
Cabezon
Please see the Northern Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table for current cabezon recreational fishing regulations.
Kelp Greenling, Rock Greenling
Please see the Northern Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table for current kelp greenling and rock greenling recreational fishing regulations.
Lingcod
Please see the Northern Management Area Recreational Groundfish Regulations Summary table for current lingcod recreational 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. Refer to California ocean sport fishing regulations for other regulations pertaining to this species.
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) (Glyptocephalus zachirus), rock sole (Lepidopsetta bilineata), and sand sole (Psettichthys melanostictus). When filleting fish on a vessel, each fillet must bear a one-inch square patch of skin. Refer to California ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, and other regulations pertaining to these species.
Identification Guide: Common Sport-Caught Flatfishes of Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties (PDF)
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. Refer to California ocean sport fishing regulations for complete information pertaining to these species.
Identification Guide: Common Sport-Caught Flatfishes of Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties (PDF)
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.
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 California ocean 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 additional groundfish information.
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) (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.
California Halibut
The recreational fishery for California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) remains open year-round. The daily bag and total possession limit is two fish north of Point Sur, Monterey County. The minimum size limit is 22 inches total length.
Identification Guide: Common Sport-Caught Flatfishes of Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties (PDF)
Surfperch
The recreational fishery for surfperch (PDF) (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)
Sturgeon
Catch-and-Release Fishing Only for White Sturgeon. The recreational fishery for white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) is open from October 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in ocean waters, except for the long-standing area closure between January 1 and March 15 as described in California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 27.90(i). The daily bag and possession limit for white sturgeon is zero (0) fish. The annual limit is zero (0) sturgeon per person.
White sturgeon greater than 60 inches fork length may not be removed from the water and shall be released immediately. Sturgeon shall not be held out of water suspended by the gills, gill plates, mouth, or solely by the tail, and shall not be dragged across the ground, boat decks, or piers, regardless of size. Lip gripper devices may not be used.
Only one single barbless hook may be used on a line to take sturgeon. The sturgeon must voluntarily take the bait or lure in its mouth. No sturgeon may be taken by trolling, snagging, or by the use of firearms. Sturgeon may not be gaffed, nor shall any person use any type of firearm or snare to take any sturgeon. Any person fishing for sturgeon shall have in their possession a non-transferable Sturgeon Fishing Report Card and complete it in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 27.90 and Section 1.74.
For further information on fishing for white sturgeon, visit the CDFW website.
Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) may not be removed from the water, taken, or possessed at any time. Green sturgeon must be released immediately without being removed from the water.
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.
Pacific Herring
The recreational fishery for Pacific herring (PDF) (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.
Dungeness Crab
NOTE UPDATED JAN 12: The California Department of Public Health warns crabbers not to eat the viscera (internal organs, also known as "butter" or "guts") from Dungeness crab taken between Reading Rock State Marine Reserve (41° 17.6' N. latitude) and Cape Mendocino (40° 10' N. latitude) due to dangerous levels of domoic acid in the crab's internal organs. Crab should be cleaned before cooking. For the latest advisory information, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or visit CDPH's Shellfish Advisories web page.
The recreational fishery for Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) is open from November 1, 2025 through July 30, 2026 in Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino counties. The daily bag limit is 10 crab, and the minimum size limit is 5¾ inches.
Sport fishing for Dungeness crab from a registered commercial Dungeness crab vessel is allowed as long as commercial and sport fishing activity do not take place on the same day. Please see this FAQ for more information about Dungeness crab sport fishing from a commercial passenger fishing vessel that is also a permitted commercial Dungeness crab vessel.
To check for in-season closures due to domoic acid, call the CDFW Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at (831) 649-2883. Be sure to follow best practices for using crab traps. Crabbers can sign up for crab trap restriction notifications through the Marine Region News Service.
Review crab measurement methods (PDF) and current California ocean sport fishing regulations for more Dungeness crab fishing information.
Rock Crab
NOTE: The California Department of Public Health warns crabbers to avoid eating rock crab viscera (internal organs, also known as "butter" or "guts") to avoid potential exposure to domoic acid. Crab should be cleaned before cooking. For the latest advisory information, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or visit CDPH's Shellfish Advisories web page.
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.
To check for in-season closures due to domoic acid, call the CDFW Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at (831) 649-2883. Be sure to follow best practices for using crab traps. Crabbers can sign up for crab trap restriction notifications through the Marine Region News Service.
Review crab measurement methods (PDF) and the current California ocean sport fishing regulations for more rock crab fishing information.
Mussels
The recreational season for California sea mussel (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. Refer to California ocean sport fishing regulations for other regulations pertaining to this species.
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 web page.
Clams
Razor Clams
The razor clam fishery is closed in Humboldt County.
The California Department of Public Health is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested razor clams harvested from Humboldt County beaches due to dangerous levels of domoic acid in the shellfish. 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.
All 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, 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 regulations, including regulations for species not covered here.