California Finfish and Shellfish Identification Book

California is home to a great diversity of freshwater and saltwater finfish and shellfish. The California Finfish and Shellfish Identification Book serves as a comprehensive guide for people to use as they fish their way throughout the state in pursuit of all the species included in the program, and detailed illustrations by top artists Amadeo Bachar(opens in new tab), Joseph Tomelleri(opens in new tab) and Jeremy Taylor, readers should find this to be a great resource guide for California's many different fisheries for years to come. All of the species featured in the program and in this book are those that we have found to be most important to the anglers, divers and outdoor sports enthusiasts of California.

Much of the content and material for this book came from CDFW publications and staff experts. Each entry provides specific information about fish or shellfish as it occurs in California. We hope that the California Finfish and Shellfish Identification Book will provide an exciting peek into the many opportunities that await anglers of all ages here in California.

To view excerpts from the book, please select a species of fish or shellfish below:

California Finfish and Shellfish Identification Book

California Finfish and Shellfish Identification Books are available free of charge to all licensed anglers, and to children upon request from CDFW License Sales Offices and many Authorized Stamping Agents.

Fishing industry businesses, and non-profit organizations, fishing clubs, scouts, educational institutions, etc. may order bulk supplies of California Finfish and Shellfish Identification Books through applying for status as program Supporters or Educational Partners.

CDFW has suspended sending publications.

Office of Communications, Education and Outreach
P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
(916) 322-8911