Rockfish ID Guides & Limit

While I was rockfishing at FR, there were so many radio calls asking about rockfish identification and limits.
You can download the following Printable Fish ID Guides from this site: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Fish-ID
I downloaded these files to my phone and carry with me fishing.

• Nearshore Rockfish of California (PDF)(opens in new tab)
  Yelloweye Rockfish, Vermilion Rockfish, and Canary Rockfish ID (PDF)(opens in new tab)
  Yellowtail Rockfish, Olive Rockfish, and Widow Rockfish ID (PDF)(opens in new tab)
  Copper Rockfish, Gopher Rockfish, and Canary Rockfish ID (PDF)(opens in new tab)
  Quillback Rockfish, China Rockfish, and Black-and-Yellow Rockfish ID (PDF)

28.55.(b) Rockfish 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, 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 is four fish, within the RCG bag limit.
(3) The limit on quillback rockfish is zero fish, within the RCG bag limit.
(4) The limit on copper rockfish is one fish, within the RCG bag limit.


Paul

I just saw this going around on FB

Wow!  Seems like things keep going South for us kayak anglers.

While I was rockfishing at FR, there were so many radio calls asking about rockfish identification and limits.
You can download the following Printable Fish ID Guides from this site: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Fish-ID
I downloaded these files to my phone and carry with me fishing.

• Nearshore Rockfish of California (PDF)(opens in new tab)
  Yelloweye Rockfish, Vermilion Rockfish, and Canary Rockfish ID (PDF)(opens in new tab)
  Yellowtail Rockfish, Olive Rockfish, and Widow Rockfish ID (PDF)(opens in new tab)
  Copper Rockfish, Gopher Rockfish, and Canary Rockfish ID (PDF)(opens in new tab)
  Quillback Rockfish, China Rockfish, and Black-and-Yellow Rockfish ID (PDF)

28.55.(b) Rockfish 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, 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 is four fish, within the RCG bag limit.
(3) The limit on quillback rockfish is zero fish, within the RCG bag limit.
(4) The limit on copper rockfish is one fish, within the RCG bag limit.


Paul

I heard all that. If you have to ask, it's all no take. You should be at home studying the regulations instead of fishing. Of course it's all moot after September 1.

> I heard all that. If you have to ask, it's all no take.

What kind of proper fisherman is calling out on the radio for help on fish ID that they have on a hook, out of the water in their lap, etc.? Learn up BEFORE you get on the water, and if you don't know for sure you can keep it, it goes back in the water immediately.

That's really bad.

Of course, since youtube and instagram and BiG LImiTZ and RIPPING LIPZ the ratio of proper fisherman seems like it's going down rapidly.

I even have to pull over next to a powerboat to help identify the difference between Brown and Copper.

Paul

Good information. Thank you for posting.

Al

I think shaming people that don't know an ID just for asking is lame.  Granted, everyone should do their homework, but still you might have never caught one of the many types of rockfish before, or your memory is fuzzy on the differences since you just read all that stuff the night before and now your on the water catching something.  Most people should first learn what you cannot keep, rather than trying to id everything out there and do their best.  Thanks for the simple aids Paul, that's an easy way to help educate, without shaming.