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 October 31, 2008.

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Click on a fishery below for more detailed information. What's Open Pacific Sanddab and "Other Flatfish" California Halibut Surfperch Sturgeon Dungeness Crab Abalone Other species Partial Closure* Rockfish Cabezon Kelp and Rock Greenlings Lingcod Leopard Shark Other Federally-managed groundfish and associated state-managed species What's Closed Ocean Salmon Pacific Halibut

* 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 only. The fishery is open to boat-based anglers from May 1, 2008 through September 1, 2008. The fishery is closed to boat-based anglers as of September 2, 2008. The season will reopen for boat-based anglers on May 15, 2009. 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 and cowcod may not be retained (bag limit: zero).

Click here to read the press release announcing the emergency closure of this fishery to boat-based anglers, effective September 2.

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 only. The fishery is closed to boat-based anglers as of September 2, 2008. The season will reopen for boat-based anglers on May 15, 2009. Cabezon may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 120 feet (20 fathoms) deep. The daily bag and possession limit is 1 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 to read the press release announcing the emergency closure of this fishery to boat-based anglers, effective September 2.

Click here for a summary of groundfish regulations.

Kelp Greenling and Rock Greenling

The recreational fishery for kelp and rock greenlings (Hexagrammos sp.) is open year-round to divers² and shore-based anglers only. The fishery is closed to boat-based anglers as of September 2, 2008. The season will reopen for boat-based anglers on May 15, 2009. 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 to read the press release announcing the emergency closure of this fishery to boat-based anglers, effective September 2.

Click here for a summary of groundfish regulations.

Lingcod

The recreational fishery for lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) is open to divers² and shore-based anglers only from April 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008. The fishery is closed to boat-based anglers as of September 2, 2008. The season will reopen for boat-based anglers on May 15, 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 to read the press release announcing the emergency closure of this fishery to boat-based anglers, effective September 2.

Click here for a summary of groundfish regulations.

Leopard Shark

The recreational fishery for leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) inside Humboldt Bay is open year-round to boat-based anglers, divers² and shore-based anglers. Outside of Humboldt Bay, the fishery is closed to boat-based anglers as of September 2, 2008. Leopard sharks may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 120 feet (20 fathoms). The daily bag and possession limit in all areas is 3 fish with a minimum size limit of 36 inches total length.

Click here to read the press release announcing the emergency closure of this fishery to boat-based anglers, effective September 2.

Click here for a summary of groundfish regulations.

Pacific Sanddab and "Other Flatfish"³

The recreational fishery for Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus) and "other flatfish" is open year-round to boat-based anglers, divers² and shore-based anglers, with certain gear restrictions during closed periods and in closed areas³. 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 species¹ is open year-round to divers² and shore-based anglers. The fishery is closed to boat-based anglers as of September 2, 2008. The season will reopen for boat-based anglers on May 15, 2009. Refer to the California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations for size limits, bag limits and other regulations pertaining to these species.

Click here to read the press release announcing the emergency closure of this fishery to boat-based anglers, effective September 2.

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.

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 statewide 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.

Abalone

The recreational fishery for red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) is open August 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008 in California's waters north of the mouth of San Francisco Bay. The daily bag limit is three per day, with a maximum of 24 abalone per year. Abalone taken must measure at least 7 inches in diameter. Abalone may only be taken by hand or by abalone irons. Scuba gear and surface-supplied air are prohibited. Free divers and shore pickers (16 years or older) must possess a valid sport fishing license.

All individuals, including divers and persons under the age of 16, must now have an Abalone Report Card in their immediate possession while taking or attempting to take red abalone. An Abalone Report Card includes detachable tags that shall be used to tag any abalone that is taken and retained in the sport fishery. Any red abalone possessed by any person shall be tagged. Cardholders shall tag any red abalone either immediately upon exiting the water or immediately upon boarding a vessel⁵, except for persons diving from a non-motorized vessel such as a kayak, in which case the abalone must be tagged immediately upon coming ashore. Cardholders shall not wait to return to their vehicle, beach site or other location to tag any abalone in possession.

For more information please see Red Abalone FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) and Abalone Resources.

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 closed. In April, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the California Fish and Game Commission adopted a complete closure of the ocean salmon sport fishery in California for the remainder of the 2008 season.

Click here for a comprehensive news and FAQ page describing salmon fishery changes.

For additional information, please visit the PFMC Web site at www.pcouncil.org.

Pacific Halibut

The recreational fishery for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) is is closed as of November 1, 2008 and will reopen on May 1, 2009.

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 ONLY be taken using the following gear: up to 12 no. 2 (or smaller) hooks and up to 2 lb. of weight.

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).