Recreational Groundfish Season Opens June 1

Beginning June 1, the sport fishery for rockfish and other groundfish will open to boat-based anglers between southern Humboldt and San Mateo counties. This region, between Cape Mendocino (40°10' N. latitude) and Pigeon Point (37°11' N. latitude), is the last area of the state to open for the year to this popular fishery and will remain open through Nov. 30. 
Sport anglers are allowed daily bag and possession limits of 10 rockfish, cabezon and greenlings, in combination. Sublimits exist for bocaccio, cabezon and greenlings; cowcod, yelloweye and canary rockfishes may not be retained at any time.
More information on distinguishing canary rockfish may be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/canary_id.pdf.
For complete groundfish fishing regulations, refer to the 2007 Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet which is available wherever fishing licenses are sold or online at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations.
Current groundfish management areas and fishing depths for boat-based anglers off California include:
* Northern Management Area (California/Oregon border to near Cape Mendocino): Open May 1 through December from 0-30 fathoms (0-180 feet).
* North-Central Management Area (Near Cape Mendocino to Pigeon Point) Open June 1 through November from 0-30 fathoms (0-180 feet).
* Monterey South-Central Management Area (Pigeon Point to near Lopez Point): Open May 1 through November from 0-40 fathoms (0-240 feet).
* Morro Bay South-Central Management Area (near Lopez Point to Point Conception): Open May 1 through November from 0-40 fathoms (0-240 feet).
* Southern Management Area (Point Conception to U.S.-Mexico border): Open March 1 through December from 0-60 fathoms (0-360 feet.)
* Cowcod Conservation Area (west of San Diego): Open March 1 through December from 0-20 fathoms (0-120 feet). Check regulations booklet for special restrictions.

Rockcod season gets underway

Beginning May 1, the popular sport fishery for rockfish and other groundfish will open to boat-based anglers in two large areas of the state. Those areas are from the Oregon border to near Cape Mendocino (40°10’ N. latitude) and from near Pigeon Point (37°11’ N. latitude) to Point Conception (34°27’ N. latitude).
Ocean waters between Cape Mendocino and Pigeon Point will not open until June 1, and all waters south of Point Conception to the U.S.-Mexico border opened on March 1.
Sport anglers are allowed daily bag and possession limits of 10 rockfish, cabezon and greenlings, in combination. Sublimits exist for bocaccio, cabezon and greenlings; cowcod, yelloweye and canary rockfishes may not be retained at any time.
Current groundfish management areas and fishing depths for boat-based anglers off California include:
• Northern Management Area (California/Oregon border to near Cape Mendocino): Open May 1 through December from 0-30 fathoms (0-180 feet).
• North-Central Management Area (Near Cape Mendocino to Pigeon Point - currently closed) Open June 1 through November from 0-30 fathoms (0-180 feet).
• Monterey South-Central Management Area (Pigeon Point to near Lopez Point): Open May 1 through November from 0-40 fathoms (0-240 feet).
• Morro Bay South-Central Management Area (near Lopez Point to Point Conception): Open May 1 through November from 0-40 fathoms (0-240 feet).
• Southern Management Area (Point Conception to U.S.-Mexico border): Open March 1 through December from 0-60 fathoms (0-360 feet.)
• Cowcod Conservation Area (west of San Diego): Open March 1 through December from 0-20 fathoms (0-120 feet).
For up-to-date information on groundfish regulations and possible in-season regulation changes, see www.dfg.ca.gov/marine