Current California Ocean Recreational Fishing Regulations

Monterey South-Central Management Area: Pigeon Point to the 36°00' Line (near Lopez Point)
(Includes a portion of San Mateo County, all of Santa Cruz County, and a portion of Monterey County)

This summary of current regulations was updated on January 1, 2010.

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Click on a fishery below for more detailed information. What's Open Sharks (State-managed) Pacific Sanddab and "Other Flatfish" California Halibut White Seabass Surfperch Sturgeon Dungeness Crab Mussels Other species Partial Closure* Rockfish Cabezon Kelp and Rock Greenlings Leopard Shark Soupfin Shark and Spiny Dogfish Other Federally-managed groundfish and associated state-managed species What's Closed Lingcod Ocean Salmon Pacific Halibut 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 angling 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 closed to boat-based anglers as of November 15, 2009 and is expected to reopen on May 1, 2010 (see important NOTE at the end of this section). These species may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 240 feet (40 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).

View 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 closed to boat-based anglers as of November 15, 2009 and is expected to reopen on May 1, 2010 (see important NOTE at the end of this section). Cabezon may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 240 feet (40 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.

View 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 closed to boat-based anglers as of November 15, 2009 and is expected to reopen on May 1, 2010 (see important NOTE at the end of this section). Greenlings may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 240 feet (40 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.

View a summary of groundfish regulations.

Leopard Shark

The recreational fishery for leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) outside of Elkhorn Slough is open year-round to divers² and shore-based anglers. The fishery outside of Elkhorn Slough is closed to boat-based anglers as of November 15, 2009 and is expected to reopen on May 1, 2010 (see important NOTE at the end of this section). Within Elkhorn Slough State Marine Conservation Area fishing with hook-and-line is open to boat-based anglers and shore-based anglers year-round. Leopard sharks may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 240 feet (40 fathoms) deep. The daily bag and possession limit is 3 fish with a minimum size limit of 36 inches total length.

NOTE: Elkhorn Slough State Marine Conservation Area allows fishing for finfish with hook-and-line in waters east of the Highway 1 Bridge and west of longitude 121° 46.40’ W. Much of Elkhorn Slough is now a State Marine Reserve where fishing is prohibited. Please refer to the Online Guide to the Central California MPAs or other online maps and coordinates for more information.

View 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 closed to boat-based anglers as of November 15, 2009 and are expected to reopen on May 1, 2010 (see important NOTE at the end of this section). These species may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 240 feet (40 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 10 fish within the 20-fish general bag limit, and there is no minimum size limit.

View 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.

View 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 closed to boat-based anglers as of November 15, 2009 and are expected to reopen on May 1, 2010 (see important NOTE at the end of this section). These species may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 240 feet (40 fathoms) deep.  Refer to the California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations for size limits, bag limits and other regulations pertaining to these species.

View 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, and 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 ½ inches alternate 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.

Identification Guide: Common Surfperches of California

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 7, 2009 through June 30, 2010. 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.

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.

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. The quarantine is usually in effect from May through October, and applies only to sport-harvested mussels intended for human consumption. For updated information on quarantines and naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call the California Department of Public Health's Shellfish Bio-toxin Information Line at (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133.

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:

Lingcod

The recreational fishery for lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) is closed to all divers and anglers. The fishery is expected to re-open for divers and shore-based anglers on April 1, 2010. The fishery is expected to re-open for boat-based anglers on May 1, 2010.

Ocean Salmon

The recreational fishery for ocean salmon is closed south of Horse Mountain, Humboldt County during 2009 to protect Sacramento River fall Chinook. In 2010, the area south of Horse Mountain is scheduled to open for recreational salmon fishing on Saturday, April 3. There is a possibility the season will be closed by emergency action from the Pacific Fishery Management Council and California Fish and Game Commission in March 2010.

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.

Pacific Halibut

The recreational fishery for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) is closed from November 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010. This fishery is scheduled to reopen on May 1, 2010.

Abalone

The recreational fishery for abalone (Haliotis sp.) is closed year-round south of the mouth of San Francisco Bay.

Existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

View 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.