Top fish species at Molino Creek

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Check which species have trophy potential in Molino Creek

Molino Creek fishing reports

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Copper rockfish

length · weight

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Copper rockfish

length · weight

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Redtail surfperch

length · weight

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Red grouper

19 in · 7 lb 8 oz

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General info

Molino Creek is a stream located in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. It is most popular for fishing Copper rockfish, Redtail surfperch, and Cowcod rockfish.

Location

37°02′38.1″N 122°12′11.9″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Molino Creek, CA

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in California can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: November 1 - November 30
Copper rockfish

Copper rockfish

Regulation boundaryCA Central North Area
Bag limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit10

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Special gear

1 Line 2 Hooks

When angling, gear is restricted to not more than two hooks and one line. For purposes of this section, a hook is a single hook, or double or treble hook with multiple points connected to a common shank.

Restrictions & requirements

CA Spearfishing

Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from season and depth restrictions affecting the RCG complex and other federally managed groundfish. Shore-based anglers are fishermen that fish from beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other manmade structures connected to the shore. Divers are spear fishermen entering the water either from the shore or from a boat or other floating object. The possession and transit provisions described for shore-based anglers, and divers are as follows: (1) When angling from shore (includes beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other man−made structures connected to the shore), allspecies may be taken and/or possessed year−round. No vessel or watercraft may be used to assist in the take, transport and/or possession of these species under this provision. (2) When diving or spearfishing all species may be taken and/or possessed year−round. When boat−based groundfish fishing is closed, all types of fishing gear, except spearfishing gear, areprohibited to be aboard the vessel or watercraft when taking and/or possessing these species under this provision.

CA Shore-based Anglers

Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from season and depth restrictions affecting the RCG complex and other federally managed groundfish. Shore-based anglers are fishermen that fish from beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other manmade structures connected to the shore. Divers are spear fishermen entering the water either from the shore or from a boat or other floating object. The possession and transit provisions described for shore-based anglers, and divers are as follows: (1) When angling from shore (includes beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other man−made structures connected to the shore), allspecies may be taken and/or possessed year−round. No vessel or watercraft may be used to assist in the take, transport and/or possession of these species under this provision. (2) When diving or spearfishing all species may be taken and/or possessed year−round. When boat−based groundfish fishing is closed, all types of fishing gear, except spearfishing gear, areprohibited to be aboard the vessel or watercraft when taking and/or possessing these species under this provision.

Skin Attached

Fillets must have entire skin attached.

CA Descending Device

DESCENDING DEVICES REQUIRED: No Person shall take or possess any federal groundfish from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters without a descending device in possession.

Additional information
Season Exceptions: May 1 - Sept 30: 20 Fathom - Inshore Only (Take is prohibited seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) boundary line.)Nov 1 - Nov 30: 20 Fathom - Inshore Only (Take is prohibited seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) boundary line.)No size limit. This species is included in the 10 fish RCG Complex limit, and also within the overall 20 finfish aggregate limit.For the latest information, call the Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Hotline at 1-813-649-2801.
Synonyms
Sebastes caurinus
Species prohibited
Cowcod rockfish

Cowcod rockfish

Regulation boundaryCA State Waters

It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell, or exchange this species.

Additional information
Cowcod may NOT be taken or possessed in California. No retention at any time (zero fish per person).
Synonyms
Sebastes levis
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Local laws and licenses

California fishing license

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Cities nearby

Davenport

2.0 miles away

Brookdale

6.7 miles away

Boulder Creek

7.5 miles away

Santa Cruz

10.3 miles away

Scotts Valley

10.6 miles away

Live Oak

12.9 miles away

Pescadero

17.1 miles away

Saratoga

18.3 miles away

Los Gatos

18.7 miles away

Day Valley

19.2 miles away

La Honda

19.3 miles away

Cupertino

20.7 miles away

Campbell

21.3 miles away

Los Altos

23.2 miles away

Palo Alto

24.2 miles away

Watsonville

25.4 miles away

Sunnyvale

25.4 miles away

Mountain View

25.5 miles away

Santa Clara

25.7 miles away

Stanford

26.4 miles away

San Jose

26.4 miles away

Moss Landing

28.4 miles away

Morgan Hill

31.5 miles away

Pacific Grove

33.1 miles away

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FAQ about Molino Creek fishing

📍 Where is the Molino Creek located?
the Molino Creek is a stream located in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. Its coordinates are:
37°02′38.1″N 122°12′11.9″W
.
🎣 Where on the Molino Creek is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Molino Creek by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the Molino Creek?
The most common species in the Molino Creek are:
📢 What are the latest Molino Creek fishing reports?
The latest Molino Creek fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Molino Creek right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Molino Creek, some of the species in season this November include: Chinook salmon, Lingcod, Pacific halibut, Cabezon, and Copper rockfish. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Molino Creek?

Fishing in California requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include daily, annual, or combination licenses for residents and non-residents, purchasable online or at sporting goods stores.

In California, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. There is no universal senior exemption. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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