Current California Ocean Recreational Fishing Regulations

Northern Management Area: Oregon Border to the 40°10' Line (near Cape Mendocino in Humboldt County)

(Includes all of Del Norte County and most of Humboldt County)

This summary of current regulations was updated on July 1, 2009.

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Click on a fishery below for more detailed information. What's Open Rockfish Cabezon Kelp and Rock Greenlings Lingcod Leopard Shark Soupfin Shark and Spiny Dogfish Other Federally-managed groundfish and associated state-managed species Sharks (State-managed) Pacific Sanddab and "Other Flatfish" California Halibut Pacific Halibut Surfperch Sturgeon Dungeness Crab Other species Partial Closure* None at this time What's Closed Ocean Salmon Abalone

* Partial closure enforced by fishing mode (diver, boat-based, shore-based). For more information, read below.

 

Shore-based anglers are fishermen that fish from beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks and other manmade objects connected to the shore. Divers are spear fishermen entering the water either from the shore or from a boat or other floating object. Boat-based anglers are fishermen that fish from boats or vessels of any size or any other type of floating object, including kayaks and float tubes.

Important Note - The recreational fisheries for lingcod, rockfish, sub-groups of rockfish, California scorpionfish, cabezon, kelp and rock greenlings, California sheephead, ocean whitefish and other federal groundfish may close early if the annual harvest guideline for any one specie or species group is met or is expected to be met prior to the end of the year. Check this web site, call the Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Hotline at (831) 649-2801, send an e-mail to AskMarine@dfg.ca.gov, or call the nearest DFG office for the latest information. Note: Your questions sent to AskMarine@dfg.ca.gov, and the Department's response, may be posted on the Internet or published in periodicals to help others with similar questions. If you do not wish your question to be used in this manner, please indicate this in your email.

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What's Open:

Rockfish

The recreational fishery for rockfish (Sebastes sp.) is open year-round to divers² and shore-based anglers. The fishery is open to boat-based anglers from May 15, 2009 through September 15, 2009 (see important NOTE at the end of this section). These species may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 120 feet (20 fathoms) deep. The daily bag and possession limit is 10 fish in combination of all species within the RCG Complex (includes all species of Rockfish, Cabezon and Greenlings) per person, with a sub-limit on bocaccio (2 per person, minimum size limit of 10 inches total length, also included in the 10 fish RCG Complex aggregate limit). Yelloweye rockfish, canary rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish, and cowcod may not be retained (bag limit: zero).

Click here for a summary of groundfish regulations.

Cabezon

The recreational fishery for cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) is open year-round to divers² and shore-based anglers. The fishery is open to boat-based anglers from May 15, 2009 through September 15, 2009 (see important NOTE at the end of this section). Cabezon may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 120 feet (20 fathoms) deep. The daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish within the 10 fish RCG Complex aggregate limit (includes all species of Rockfish, Cabezon and Greenlings), with a minimum size limit of 15 inches total length.

Click here for a summary of groundfish regulations.

Kelp Greenling and Rock Greenling

The recreational fishery for kelp and rock greenlings (Hexagrammos spp.) is open year-round to divers² and shore-based anglers. The fishery is open to boat-based anglers from May 15, 2009 through September 15, 2009 (see important NOTE at the end of this section). Greenlings may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 120 feet (20 fathoms) deep. The daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish within the 10 fish RCG Complex aggregate limit (includes all species of Rockfish, Cabezon and Greenlings), with a minimum size limit of 12 inches total length.

Click here for a summary of groundfish regulations.

Lingcod

The recreational fishery for lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) is open to all anglers and divers² as of May 15, 2009 (see important NOTE at the end of this section). For boat-based anglers, the fishery will run through September 15, 2009; for shore-based anglers and divers², the fishery will run through November 30, 2009. Lingcod may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 120 feet (20 fathoms) deep. The daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish, with a minimum size limit of 24 inches total length.

Click here for a summary of groundfish regulations.

Leopard Shark

The recreational fishery for leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) inside of Humboldt Bay is open year-round all anglers and divers². The fishery outside of Humboldt Bay is open to boat-based anglers from May 15, 2009 through September 15, 2009, and open to divers² and shore-based anglers year-round (see important NOTE at the end of this section). Leopard sharks may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 120 feet (20 fathoms) deep. The daily bag and possession limit is 3 fish with a minimum size limit of 36 inches total length.

Click here for a summary of groundfish regulations.

Soupfin Shark and Spiny Dogfish

The recreational fisheries for soupfin shark (Galeorhinus zyopterus) and spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) are open year-round to divers² and shore-based anglers. These fisheries are open to boat-based anglers from May 15, 2009 through September 15, 2009 (see important NOTE at the end of this section).  These species may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 120 feet (20 fathoms) deep. The bag and possession limit for soupfin shark is one fish with no minimum size limit. The daily bag and possession limit for spiny dogfish is ten fish with no minimum size limit.

Click here for a summary of groundfish regulations.

Sharks (State-managed)

Open all year, except that white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) may not be taken or possessed at any time. The bag limits for sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) and sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus) allow take of one fish per day with no size limit. The bag limits for shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus), and blue shark (Prionace glauca) allow take of two fish per day with no size limit.

Pacific Sanddab and "Other Flatfish"³

The recreational fishery for Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus) and "other flatfish³" is open year-round to all anglers and divers². Refer to the California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations for size limits, bag limits and other regulations pertaining to these species.

Click here for a summary of groundfish regulations.

All Other Federally Managed Groundfish and Associated State-Managed Species¹

The recreational fisheries for all other federally managed groundfish and associated state-managed species¹ are open year-round to divers² and shore-based anglers. These fisheries are open to boat-based anglers from May 15, 2009 through September 15, 2009 (see important NOTE at the end of this section). These species may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 120 feet (20 fathoms) deep.  Refer to the California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations for size limits, bag limits and other regulations pertaining to these species.

Click here for a summary of groundfish regulations.

California Halibut

The recreational fishery for California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) remains open year round. The daily bag and possession limit is three fish north of Point Sur, Monterey County. The minimum size limit is 22 inches total length.

Pacific Halibut

The recreational fishery for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) is open from May 1, 2009 through October 31, 2009. The daily bag and possession limit is one fish with no minimum size limit.

Surfperch

The recreational fishery for surfperch (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 10 1/2 inches total length.

Sturgeon

The recreational fishery for white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) remains open all year. The daily bag and possession limit is one fish that must be between 46 inches and 66 inches total length. The annual limit is three (3) sturgeon per person. Short or oversized sturgeon must be released unharmed immediately. 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 to assist in landing or killing 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 Section 27.90, Title 14 California Code of Regulations.

Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) may not be taken or possessed at any time.

See the California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations for complete sturgeon information.

Dungeness Crab

The recreational fishery for Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) is open from November 1, 2008* through July 30, 2009. The daily bag limit is 10 crab, and the minimum size limit is 5 3/4 inches. Recreational crabbing is not allowed from vessels licensed for commercial Dungeness crab fishing. Review crab measurement methods and Section 29.85 in the current Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet for more Dungeness crab fishing information.

View additional information about Dungeness crab and other species of crab.

* Note that the November 1 season opener reflects a regulation change from 2008. A news release has been issued by the Department announcing the regulation change.

Other Species

See the California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet for complete regulations, including regulations for species not covered here.

NOTE - The Department may modify the seasons, depth constraints, bag limits or size limits for any species of federally-managed groundfish, California sheephead, ocean whitefish and greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos. Check this Web site regularly or call the Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Hotline ((831) 649-2801) for the latest information.

 

What's Closed:

Ocean Salmon

The recreational fishery for ocean salmon is currently closed and will reopen August 29, 2009 through September 7, 2009 north of Horse Mountain, Humboldt County for all salmon except coho. For more ocean salmon fishery information, please visit the Summary of 2009 California Ocean Salmon Seasons Web page.

For 2009 salmon management information, please visit the Pacific Fishery Management Council Web site.

For answers to frequently asked questions about California’s salmon fisheries, visit the Salmon News & FAQ page.

Abalone

The recreational fishery for red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) is closed from July 1 through July 31, 2009, and will reopen on August 1, 2009 in waters north of San Francisco. For more information, visit the Abalone Resources Web page.

Existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Click here for information on existing MPAs in this region.

For complete regulation information, see the California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.

 

¹ Associated state managed species include cabezon, greenlings, California sheephead and ocean whitefish.

² Except for spearfishing gear, all other types of fishing gear are prohibited to be aboard a vessel or non-motorized watercraft while spearfishing for the purpose of retaining federal groundfish and associated state managed species during a seasonal closure affecting boat-based anglers.

³ In closed areas or during closed periods, Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus), and "other flatfish" as defined in Section 1.91(a)(10): butter sole (Isopsetta isolepis), curlfin sole (Pleuronichthys decurrens), flathead sole (Hippoglossoides elassodon), rex sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus), rock sole (Lepidopsetta bilineata), and sand sole (Psettichthys melanostictus), may be taken.

⁴ These species may be possessed aboard vessels that are transiting deeper waters only when all fishing gear is stowed.

⁵ For the purposes of Section 29.16 a vessel is defined as any watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water (reference Section 9840(a) CVC). Non-motorized vessels such as kayaks are exempted from the requirement to tag abalone immediately upon boarding a vessel (reference Section 29.16(b)(1) T14 CCR).