New Recreational Groundfish Regulations Now Effective in State Waters

August 29, 2025

In response to new scientific information on quillback rockfish populations off California, the California Fish and Game Commission took emergency action on Aug. 14 to restore access to fishing depths in state waters that have been closed to protect them since 2023. The new state regulations are in effect as of Aug. 28, 2025.

In state waters between the Oregon/California border and Point Conception (34° 27’ N. Lat.), fishing for rockfish, cabezon, and greenling (RCG Complex) and lingcod is now open in all depths.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is working to implement similar all-depth fishing regulations for federal waters, however they are not expected to take effect until mid-September. As a result, federal waters will remain closed to RCG Complex and lingcod fishing north of 36° N. Lat. (near Lopez Point) until federal regulations are in effect. From Lopez Point to Point Conception, federal waters will remain closed for RCG Complex and lingcod fishing seaward of the 50 fathom Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line.

A map that includes the boundary line between state and federal waters is available on the Ocean Sport Fishing Map Viewer. 

Since fishing in the Southern Groundfish Management Area (south of Point Conception, to the US/Mexico border) is constrained by copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) and vermilion rockfish (Sebastes miniatus)/sunset rockfish (Sebastes crocotulus), there are no changes to the current fishing seasons in the Southern Groundfish Management Area.

Anglers should also take note of other important elements of the state’s recreational groundfish regulations:

1.  There is now a two fish sub-bag limit on canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) statewide. 

2.  Vermilion rockfish and sunset rockfish are now considered the same species for regulatory purposes. Both species in combination count towards the vermilion rockfish/sunset rockfish sub-bag limits.

3.  Retention of quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger), bronzespotted rockfish (Sebastes gilli), cowcod (Sebastes levis), and yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) remains prohibited statewide.
This blog post will be updated when federal regulations that open RCG Complex and lingcod fishing at all depths go into effect; please check back regularly. The Summary of Recreational Groundfish Regulations web page will also be updated with the most current information. 

Please send CDFW any questions you may have regarding the new recreational RCG Complex and lingcod regulation changes.

Thanks for the news, Howard! 

Thanks for the news, Howard! 

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