Select Groundfish Species

Most Frequently Encountered (Check for seasonal closures)

Cabezon

• Large head and pectoral fins
• Scale-less body
• 16 inch minimum size
• Ocean and estuary species

Kelp Greenling

• Very small mouth
• Males may have blue spots
• Ocean and estuary species

Lingcod

• Large mouth with sharp teeth
• Elongated body
• 22 inch minimum size
• Ocean and estuary species

Black Rockfish

• Spots on dorsal fin
• Large mouth (jaw past mid-eye)
• Ocean and estuary species

Blue Rockfish

• Small mouth (jaw not past mid-eye)
• No spots on dorsal fin
• Irregular blotches along body
• Ocean and estuary species

Canary Rockfish

• Grey, "chalky" lateral line
• Thin eye band
• Notched tail fin
• Ocean species

China Rockfish

• Distinct yellow band across body
• Yellow speckles on black body
• Ocean species

Copper Rockfish

• Large dorsal spines with membrane not deeply notched
• Distinct face stripes
• Ocean and estuary species

Deacon Rockfish

• Small mouth (jaw not past mid-eye)
• No spots on dorsal fin
• Uniform dark coloration along body
• Ocean and estuary species

Yellowtail Rockfish

• Yellow fins
• More elongated than other rockfish
• Ocean species

Prohibited (No harvest at any time)

Quillback Rockfish

• Large dorsal spines with deep notch
• "Freckles" on face/head
• Yellowish blotch on back
• Ocean and estuary species

Yelloweye Rockfish

• Solid yellow eye
• Rounded tail fin, often lined in black
• Juveniles have white lines on side
• Ocean species