All rockfish caught in Marine Areas 6–13 must be released immediately. For details on conservation efforts and species recovery, visit the WDFW rockfish recovery page.
Yelloweye Rockfish
Yelloweye rockfish are a striking orange-red species found in Pacific Northwest waters. Recognized by their spiny dorsal fins and vibrant color, they are a long-lived bottom fish important to Washington’s marine ecosystem.
Orange-red to yellow body color, bright yellow eye, and fins may be tinged with black. Raspy ridges above eye, rear of anal fin vertical. Also called rasphead rockfish and red snapper. Typically the largest species of rockfish.
Vermilion Rockfish
The vermilion rockfish is a vivid red bottom-dwelling fish found off Washington’s coast. Known for its bold coloring and sharp dorsal fins, this species is a favorite sight for anglers but is carefully managed to protect populations.
Body dark red and mottled gray. Red mouth and underside of jaw is rough. Fins may be edged with black. Anal fin rounded.
Canary Rockfish
The canary rockfish is a striking orange fish with pale stripes along its body. Found in Washington’s marine waters, this rockfish is a long-lived species that anglers may encounter but must follow catch regulations to help sustain populations.
Bright orange or yellow body, mottled with grey. Fins are orange without black edge. Three orange stripes across the head. Chin smooth to the touch. Anal fin sharp and angular.
Quillback Rockfish
The quillback rockfish is easy to recognize by its mottled brown and golden coloring and its tall, sharp dorsal spines. This bottom-dwelling species lives around rocky reefs in Washington’s coastal waters and is often a protected or regulated catch to ensure healthy populations.
Body brown with yellow mottling. High fin on back with yellow mottling. Have freckles on head and throat. Two light saddle patches on top of back.
Black Rockfish
The black rockfish is a popular catch in Washington’s coastal waters, recognized by its dark gray to black body with subtle mottling and spiny dorsal fins. Found in rocky reefs and nearshore habitats, this species is commonly targeted by anglers and is managed with strict fishing regulations to protect healthy populations.
Body black or grey in color. Also called seabass and black bass. Large mouth, rounded anal fin.
Blue/Deacon Rockfish
The blue rockfish is a nearshore species in Washington waters, easily identified by its bluish-gray body and lighter belly. Often caught by anglers around rocky reefs and kelp beds, this species is managed with size and catch limits to ensure sustainable fisheries.
Body is blue or black. Forehead has several diagonal bars. Has a small mouth. The anal fin is vertical or slanted posteriorly.
Copper Rockfish
The copper rockfish is a popular sportfish in Washington, recognized by its mottled copper and brown patterns and sharp dorsal spines. Found near rocky reefs and kelp forests, this species is managed with seasonal and catch limits to protect healthy populations.
Body variable in color with light colored stripe along the rear of the lateral line. Two dark bars radiating from eye.
Yellowtail Rockfish
The yellowtail rockfish is easily recognized by its yellow tail and olive-brown body. Found in schools near reefs and deep coastal waters in Washington, this species is popular with anglers and carefully managed to support sustainable fishing.
Olive green body with yellow-green fins. May have knob at tip of lower jaw. Rear edge of anal fin vertical.
China Rockfish
The China rockfish is one of the most recognizable rockfish species, featuring a black body with bold yellow patches and spines along its dorsal fin. Commonly found in rocky reef habitats, this striking fish is a favorite among divers and anglers in Washington’s marine waters.
Body blue or black spotted with yellow and white. Prominent yellow stripe extending from top of back to along lateral line to caudal fin.
Bocaccio Rockfish
The Bocaccio rockfish is a long-bodied, reddish-brown species with sharp dorsal spines and a large mouth. Found in deep offshore waters along Washington’s coast, this rockfish is an important Pacific species for both conservation and recreational fishing.
Body orange, olive, or brown. Large mouth extending past rear of eye, and projecting lower jaw.
Tiger Rockfish
The Tiger rockfish is easily recognized by its bold vertical red and black stripes and spiny dorsal fins. Found in rocky reefs and deep coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest, this striking species is a favorite among anglers and divers.
Body pink to red with five red to black vertical stripes. Strong ridges between eyes. Two dark bars radiating from eye.
Widow Rockfish
The Widow rockfish is a slender, bronze-brown species with sharp dorsal spines. Found along the Pacific Coast, it’s a popular catch for both commercial and recreational fishing.
The head is short, with a small mouth. Adults are various shades of brown to orange. Smaller fish are lighter.
Photos courtesy of Steve Axtell, and Victoria Okimura
Protecting Washington’s rockfish is vital for conservation. This guide highlights how to identify species like canary, yelloweye, bocaccio, and vermilion rockfish, while teaching anglers safe release methods such as using descending devices to reduce barotrauma and improve survival rates.
