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Santa Cruz Island

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

California, United States

4.1·959 catches

Top fish species at Santa Cruz Island

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Check which species have trophy potential in Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz Island fishing reports

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Rosy rockfish

length · weight

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Grey triggerfish

length · weight

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Vermilion rockfish

length · weight

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Kelp bass

15 in · 2 lb

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Pacific bonito

22 in · 5 lb

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Kelp bass

15 in · 2 lb

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General info

Santa Cruz Island is a part of an ocean located in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. It is also intersecting with Ventura County, California. It is most popular for fishing Lingcod, California sheephead, and Kelp bass.

Location

34°00′53.5″N 119°55′10.3″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Santa Cruz Island, 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: April 1 - December 31
Lingcod

Lingcod

Regulation boundaryCA Southern Area
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.

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

1-inch Skin

Minimum 1-inch square patch of skin on each fillet.

Additional information
Season Exceptions: April 1 - June 30: Open all depthsJuly 1 - Sept 30: 50 Fathom - Inshore Only (Take is prohibited seaward of the 50 fathom (300 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line.)Oct 1 - Dec 31: 50 Fathom - Offshore Only (Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom (300 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line.)This species is included in the overall 20 finfish aggregate limit.Fillets must be a minimum of 14-inches in length with a 1-inch square of skin on each fillet.For the latest information, call the Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Hotline at 1-813-649-2801.
Synonyms
Ophiodon elongatus
Season open: March 1 - December 31
California sheephead

California sheephead

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 size12" (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.

Restrictions & requirements

Skin Attached

Fillets must have entire skin attached.

Additional information
The recreational fishery is open year-round to divers and shore-based anglers. This fishery is closed to boat-based anglers from January 1, 2023 through February 28, 2023. The daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches total length. Review California sport fishing regulations for further information pertaining to California sheephead.Fillets must be a minimum of 6 and three-quarter inches in length and shall bear the entire skin intact. Divers, Shore-based Anglers: Open year-round. Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from season restrictions affecting the RCG complex and other federally managed groundfish. However, when spear fishing during a boat-based closure, only spear fishing gear is allowed aboard any vessel or watercraft. Also, when angling from shore during a boat- based closure, no vessel or watercraft may be used to assist in taking or possessing species included in this table.For the latest information, call the Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Hotline at 1-813-649-2801.
Synonyms
Semicossyphus pulcher
Season open: year-round
Kelp bass

Kelp bass

Regulation boundaryCA State Waters
Bag limit5

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 size14" (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 of 5 Kelp Bass, Barred Sand Bass, or Spotted Sand Bass in any combination. Open year-round. When filleting on a vessel, fillets shall be a minimum of seven and one half inches in length. Each fillet shall bear intact a one-inch square patch of skin.
Synonyms
Calico bass, Paralabrax clathratus
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Local laws and licenses

California fishing license

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Reviews of Santa Cruz Island

4.1
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8 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Isla Vista

27.8 miles away

Goleta

29.3 miles away

Santa Barbara

30.8 miles away

Carpinteria

35.2 miles away

Solvang

41.9 miles away

Port Hueneme

42.2 miles away

San Buenaventura

43.2 miles away

Oxnard

44.0 miles away

Oak View

44.4 miles away

Meiners Oaks

48.0 miles away

Camarillo

52.7 miles away

Santa Paula

53.9 miles away

Los Alamos

54.2 miles away

Lompoc

54.7 miles away

Vandenberg AFB

61.1 miles away

Sisquoc

62.3 miles away

Fillmore

63.1 miles away

Orcutt

65.6 miles away

Casmalia

66.7 miles away

Santa Maria

70.1 miles away

Guadalupe

75.2 miles away

Nipomo

77.6 miles away

Taft

81.8 miles away

Fellows

83.1 miles away

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FAQ about Santa Cruz Island fishing

📍 Where is Santa Cruz Island located?
Santa Cruz Island is a part of an ocean located in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. It is also intersecting with Ventura County, California. Its coordinates are:
34°00′53.5″N 119°55′10.3″W
.
🎣 Where on Santa Cruz Island is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Santa Cruz Island 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 Santa Cruz Island?
The most common species in Santa Cruz Island are:
📢 What are the latest Santa Cruz Island fishing reports?
The latest Santa Cruz Island fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Santa Cruz Island right now?
According to fishing regulations at Santa Cruz Island, some of the species in season this November include: Chinook salmon, Lingcod, Pacific halibut, Vermilion rockfish, and California sheephead. 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 Santa Cruz Island?

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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