California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Update for May 1, 2005
The purpose of this email is to notify California's saltwater recreational anglers of upcoming regulation changes, including seasonal openings and closures, bag and size limit changes, depth and gear restriction changes, etc.
Rockfish, Cabezon, Greenlings, Lingcod, California Sheephead, Ocean Whitefish and Other Federal Groundfish
The recreational fisheries for rockfish, cabezon, greenlings, lingcod, California sheephead, ocean whitefish and other federal groundfish will open to boat-based anglers on May 1, 2005 in the Northern Management Area (Oregon Border to 40 degrees 10 minutes North latitude, near Cape Mendocino in Humboldt county) and the Morro Bay South-Central Management Area (36 degrees 0 minutes North latitude, near Lopez Point in Monterey county, to Point Conception in Santa Barbara county). The recreational fisheries for these species (except lingcod) are open year-round to shore-based anglers and divers. These species may only be taken or possessed in waters less than 180 feet (30 fathoms) deep in the Northern Management Area, and in waters less than 240 feet (40 fathoms) deep in the Morro Bay South-Central Management Area. The following regulations apply:
The daily bag and possession limit for rockfish is 10 fish within the RCG Complex (includes all species of Rockfish, Cabezon and Greenlings) in combination of all species per person, with a sub-limit on bocaccio (2 per person in the Northern Management Area, 1 per person everywhere else, minimum size limit of 10 inches total length, also included in the 10 fish RCG Complex aggregate limit). Yelloweye rockfish, canary rockfish and cowcod may not be retained (bag limit: zero).
The daily bag and possession limit for cabezon is 1 fish within the 10 fish RCG Complex aggregate limit, with a minimum size limit of 15 inches total length.
The daily bag and possession limit for greenlings is 1 fish within the 10 fish RCG Complex aggregate limit, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches total length.
The daily bag and possession limit for lingcod is 2 fish, with a minimum size limit of 24 inches total length.
The daily bag and possession limit for California sheephead is 5 fish with a minimum size limit of 12 inches total length.
The daily bag and possession limit for ocean whitefish is 10 fish with no minimum size limit.
Click here to view a summary of the recreational bottomfishing regulations for 2005.
Click here to view a map of the state with county lines, key landmarks and features, and fishery management lines.
Get the latest recreational groundfish fishing regulations information by telephone. Call (831) 649-2801 from your touch-tone telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Californians Turn In Poachers. Call (888) DFG-CALTIP (334-2258) to report illegal poaching and polluting, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Remain anonymous, collect a reward.