California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 1 - Fish and Game Commission-Department of Fish and Game
Subdivision 1 - Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles
Chapter 4 - Ocean Fishing
Article 1 - Ocean and San Francisco Bay District
Fin Fish-Minimum Size Limits, Bag and Possession Limits and Seasons
Section 28.55 - Rockfish (Sebastes)

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 28.55

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Open areas, seasons, and depth restrictions: See Section 27.20 through Section 27.50 for definitions, special closure areas, and exceptions. Take and possession is authorized as follows:

(1) Northern Groundfish Management Area: Open and closed dates and depth restrictions as defined by Section 27.25.

(2) Mendocino Groundfish Management Area: Open and closed dates and depth restrictions as defined by Section 27.30.

(3) San Francisco Groundfish Management Area: Open and closed dates and depth restrictions as defined by Section 27.35.

(4) Central Groundfish Management Area: Open and closed dates and depth restrictions as defined by Section 27.40.

(5) Southern Groundfish Management Area: Open and closed dates and depth restrictions as defined by Section 27.45.

(6) Groundfish Exclusion Areas: Take or possession of all rockfish is prohibited within the Groundfish Exclusion Areas as specified by Section 27.50.

(b) Limit: Ten, within the Rockfish, Cabezon, and Greenling complex (RCG complex, as defined in Section 1.91) limit of 10 fish, in any combination of species, except as provided below.

(1) The limit on bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod, quillback rockfish, and yelloweye rockfish is zero. These species shall not be taken or possessed as part of the RCG limit.

(2) The limit on vermilion rockfish:
(A) In waters of the Northern Groundfish Management Area is four fish within the RCG limit.

(B) In waters of the Mendocino Groundfish Management Area, San Francisco Groundfish Management Area, Central Groundfish Management Area, and Southern Groundfish Management Area is two fish within the RGC limit, regardless of which Groundfish Management Area the vermilion rockfish was taken in.

(3) The limit on copper rockfish is one fish, within the RCG limit.

(c) Size limit: None. See subsection 27.65(b) for fillet regulations.

(d) Method of take: When angling, gear is restricted to not more than two hooks and one line. For purposes of this section, a hook is a single hook, or a double or treble hook with multiple points connected to a common shank. See subsection 27.20(b)(2) for descending device regulations.

(e) Fishing rules for rockfish may be changed during the year or in-season by the department under the authority of subsection 27.20(e). See subsection 27.20(f) for additional information.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 205, 265, 702, 7071 and 8587.1, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 200, 205, 265, 1802, 7071 and 8585.5, Fish and Game Code; and 50 CFR Part 660, Subpart G, Sections 660.350, 660.351, 660.352 and 660.360.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 205, 265, 702, 7071 and 8587.1, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 200, 205, 265, 1802, 7071 and 8585.5, Fish and Game Code; 50 CFR Part 660, Subpart G; and 14 CCR 27.20.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. California may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.