New 2015 Recreational Groundfish Regulations Now In Effect

March 11, 2015

The California Fish and Game Commission adopted several changes to the current recreational groundfish regulations that apply to ocean fishing in state waters up to three miles from shore. The new regulations were adopted by the Commission at its Feb. 11 meeting, and became effective March 10.

The open season dates and allowable fishing depths for the recreational Groundfish Management Areas are as follows:

1.    Northern - Open May 15 through Oct. 31, in 20 fathoms (120 feet) or less

2.    Mendocino - Open May 15 through Oct. 31, in 20 fathoms (120 feet) or less

3.    San Francisco - Open April 15 through Dec. 31, in 30 fathoms (180 feet) or less

4.    Central - Open April 1 through Dec. 31, in 40 fathoms (240 feet) or less

5.    Southern - Open March 1 through Dec. 31, in 60 fathoms (360 feet) or less

Staff from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) worked closely with recreational stakeholders to develop the regulations prior to submission to and approval by the Commission. "The changes are designed to allow as much fishing opportunity as possible while remaining within allowable catch limits," said Marci Yaremko, CDFW's State/Federal Fisheries Program Manager. "However, as we do each year, we will be closely monitoring catches up and down the state during the open season to ensure we don't exceed any limits."

Other changes include:

1.    An increase in the lingcod bag limit from two to three fish

2.   A sub-bag limit of five black rockfish within the 10-fish Rockfish, Cabezon, Greenling (RCG) complex bag limit

3.    Statewide closure of the California scorpionfish fishery from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31

Take and possession of bronzespotted rockfish, canary rockfish, cowcod and yelloweye rockfish will remain prohibited statewide.

It's official!

I am glad about the lings going up it seems I have caught more and more these last couple years. Seems like It was harder to catch a limit 10 years ago now you have to work to catch blacks.

Holy crap NCKA just turned into one giant groundfish thread and I'm having trouble keeping up! Exciting news for sure. Can't wait to rip ling lip

Spring break starts April 3rd (10 days off) for me.  Who wants to hookup in Monterey Bay?!!!!!

  I saw that title and thought,,,   "  WTF ?   "       

WhooHoo!!

  I saw that title and thought,,,   "  WTF ?   "   

I like fishin

  I saw that title and thought,,,   "  WTF ?   "   

Typing too fast 

yeeeehaaaaaa

Time to set up RF gear for the opener if weather permits

I can just hear all the April fools reports now 

Meh, I don't need three Lings. So much for the rumors of an April opening in Northern and Mendo zones.

I don't get North, Mendo short season. Less population, less fish caugjt? Wrong?