Rockfish Chart

Does anyone know where I can get a laminated ID chart for rockfish, one that shows not only their physical characteristics, but that also tells their reproductive info like age and size at sexual maturity?

I'd like to reduce my footprint by only taking fish I'm confident have spawned at least once...

I picked up A pretty nice chart at the DFG office but it didnt have age and size maturity.

I don't believe there are any ID cards with that information, but it would be nice for the ecologically conscious.

One option would be to simply learn all the information yourself.  A great resource for that information is a book called..
The Rockfishes of the Northeast Pacific  by Milton S. Love, Mary Yoklavich, and Lyman Thorsteinson.  Read up on the ten or so species you're likely to run into and you should be all set.

Anyway, it's a beautiful book with lots of great pictures, identification information, and anything else you might want to know.  For ~$25 it's a great investment in your fish knowledge.

http://www.amazon.com/Rockfishes-Northeast-Pacific-Milton-Love/dp/0520234383

Brian

Thanks Brian,
I've seen posters with that info on party boats, so I'm guessing there would be a smaller version...
Andrew

Outdoor Pro Shops has the DFG laminated fold-up charts for ID. I agree with Brian about Milton Love's book, it has all the sizes according to age and maturity information plus goofy humor . . .

i have one of the folding hand guides.  it has pictures of various rockfish with info such as max size, mat. age, etc.  it's laminated and foldable, making it very portable...ideal to have while fishing on the kayak.  it sounds like this is the same one that Outdoor Pro Shops have for sale.
http://www.rockfishid.com/JohnPRODUCT.html

I got mine at Outdoor Pro Shop also.  It sure is handy!

Yeah, you should checkout www.rockfishID.com
I've got (5 of) the folding laminated charts. They show key ID features, population range, max size and age, and age of maturation. 

I haven't seen one of those guides in person, but I do know about them and the site.

It would be nice if they explained what information they actually have for each fish. I understand that if they let you "see" the charts people would just print them for themselves.  Maybe they could show just one species for an example.

Brian

Never mind, I found the china rockfish example. 

Both the Poster and Guides Include:

-Photos of 36 rockfish most commonly caught in the California recreational fishery as well as lingcod, kelp greenling, cabezon, and California scorpionfish.



-American Fisheries Society accepted common and scientific names of each species.

-Arrows and text pointing out the distinguishing ID characteristics of each species.

-Maximum length, age/ length and age at maturity for selected species.

-Maps showing the range, range of common occurence and depths where each species is found within California.

I hit DFG up and asked them if we could get some of the laminated charts as freebies for GS3, but Ahhnold spent all the money, so they directed me to a site where I could order them.   

i just laminated the one out of the DFG regs, punched a hole in one end and keep it on my gear bag.  Good idea to add the size/age, etc so you can selectively harvest the fish.  I like that idea.  If anyone gets that info by species, please share where you got it.  I like the idea of minimizing my footprint on the fishy landscape.  I've been a catch and release trout fisherman for 30 years. (trout don't taste as good as their salty friends!)

Jody

I'm glad you posted this - been meaning to get a good laminate chart & the ones from RockfishID.com are perfect. I hadn't thought about the age & other info but it's an extra bonus.

Wow...cool, I knew they're slow growing but who'da knowed a little China could live almost 80 years.     

One of these days I'm gonna purchase some prints from Amadeo (ab10) as well, but those will be goin' on the wall, not on the water.  In case anyone didn't know, his illustrations are the ones in the DFG reg booklet. http://www.abachar.com

I'm glad you posted this - been meaning to get a good laminate chart & the ones from RockfishID.com are perfect. I hadn't thought about the age & other info but it's an extra bonus.

Wow...cool, I knew they're slow growing but who'da knowed a little China could live almost 80 years.     

One of these days I'm gonna purchase some prints from Amadeo (ab10) as well, but those will be goin' on the wall, not on the water.  In case anyone didn't know, his illustrations are the ones in the DFG reg booklet. http://www.abachar.com

Those are so cool. I need to talk the wife into getting one for the house

Neat Stuff.