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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

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

Yellowtail Rockfish
- Yellow fins
- More elongated than other rockfish
- Ocean species
Prohibited (No harvest at any time)

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