Top fish species at South Fork Gualala River

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Check which species have trophy potential in South Fork Gualala River

South Fork Gualala River fishing reports

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length · weight

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Black rockfish

19 in · 3 lb

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California halibut

length · weight

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Cutthroat trout

length · weight

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General info

South Fork Gualala River is a stream located in Sonoma County, California, United States. It is most popular for fishing Cutthroat trout, Black rockfish, and California halibut.

Location

38°37′26″N 123°20′18″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at South Fork Gualala River, 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: year-round
Cutthroat trout

Cutthroat trout

Regulation boundaryCA State Waters
Bag limit3

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.

Additional information
Bag limit = 3 trout, except the take of steelhead rainbow trout in the ocean is prohibited. Trout must voluntarily take the bait or lure in its mouth.
Synonyms
Sea Trout
Season open: May 1 - November 30
Black rockfish

Black rockfish

Regulation boundaryCA San Francisco Area
Bag limit10

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 - Aug 27: 20 Fathom - Inshore Only (Take is prohibited seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) boundary line.)August 28 - December 31: Open all depths No size limit. This species is included in the 10 fish RCG Complex limit. For the latest information, call the Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Hotline at 1-813-649-2801.
Synonyms
Sebastes melanops
Season open: year-round
California halibut

California halibut

Regulation boundaryCA State Waters
Bag limit2

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.

Min size22" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit20

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

Additional information
Bag limit increased to 5 California halibut in California waters south of a line extending due west magnetic from Point Sur, Monterey County.Fillets must be a minimum of 16 and three-quarter inches in length and shall bear the entire skin intact. A fillet from a California halibut (flesh from one entire side of the fish with the entire skin intact) may not be cut in half fillets. However, a fillet may be cut lengthwise in a straight line along the midline of the fillet where the fillet was attached to the vertebra (backbone) of the fish only if the two pieces of a fillet remain joined along their midline for a length of at least two inches at one end of the fillet.
Synonyms
Paralichthys californicus
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Local laws and licenses

California fishing license

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Cities nearby

Timber Cove

7.2 miles away

Sea Ranch

8.9 miles away

Jenner

16.8 miles away

Guerneville

20.3 miles away

Cloverdale

21.1 miles away

Geyserville

24.3 miles away

Salmon Creek

24.4 miles away

Healdsburg

25.5 miles away

Hopland

26.7 miles away

Boonville

26.8 miles away

Bodega

27.5 miles away

Graton

28.6 miles away

Windsor

29.2 miles away

Manchester

30.8 miles away

Philo

31.1 miles away

Dillon Beach

33.4 miles away

Bloomfield

33.8 miles away

Tomales

35.0 miles away

Cobb

36.2 miles away

Kelseyville

36.2 miles away

Santa Rosa

36.3 miles away

Rohnert Park

39.6 miles away

Middletown

39.6 miles away

Calistoga

40.9 miles away

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FAQ about South Fork Gualala River fishing

📍 Where is the South Fork Gualala River located?
the South Fork Gualala River is a stream located in Sonoma County, California, United States. Its coordinates are:
38°37′26″N 123°20′18″W
.
🎣 Where on the South Fork Gualala River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the South Fork Gualala River 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 South Fork Gualala River?
The most common species in the South Fork Gualala River are:
📢 What are the latest South Fork Gualala River fishing reports?
The latest South Fork Gualala River fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the South Fork Gualala River right now?
According to fishing regulations at the South Fork Gualala River, 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 South Fork Gualala River?

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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