Top fish species at Santa Catalina Island
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Fishing regulations at Santa Catalina 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
Kelp bass
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.
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.
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
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.
California sheephead
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.
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.
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
Skin Attached
Fillets must have entire skin attached.
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.
California halibut
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.
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.
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
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.
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