Top fish species at Inner Channel

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Check which species have trophy potential in Inner Channel

Inner Channel fishing reports

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Cabezon

15 in · 6 lb

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Leopard shark

50 in · 15 lb

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Yelloweye rockfish

length · weight

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Leopard shark

length · weight

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Black rockfish

length · weight

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Rock bass

length · weight

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General info

Inner Channel is a stream located in Monterey County, California, United States. It is most popular for fishing Leopard shark, Kelp bass, and Black rockfish.

Location

36°48′21.5″N 121°47′6.4″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Inner Channel, 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
Leopard shark

Leopard shark

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.

Min size36" (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
This species is included in the 10 fish RCG Complex limit, and also within the overall 20 finfish aggregate limit.Open year-round, no depth limit. Filleting aboard a vessel is not allowed.
Synonyms
Triakis semifasciata
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
Season open: November 1 - November 30
Black rockfish

Black rockfish

Regulation boundaryCA Central North 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 - 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 melanops
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Local laws and licenses

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Cities nearby

Moss Landing

0.3 miles away

Prunedale

7.2 miles away

Watsonville

8.0 miles away

Marina

8.6 miles away

Salinas

11.8 miles away

Seaside

12.8 miles away

San Juan Bautista

14.0 miles away

Pacific Grove

15.1 miles away

Day Valley

15.7 miles away

Monterey

15.7 miles away

Live Oak

16.5 miles away

Gilroy

17.6 miles away

Santa Cruz

18.2 miles away

Scotts Valley

21.3 miles away

Hollister

21.7 miles away

Carmel Valley Village

22.6 miles away

Morgan Hill

23.9 miles away

Davenport

26.6 miles away

Brookdale

27.4 miles away

Boulder Creek

29.5 miles away

Los Gatos

30.8 miles away

Campbell

34.1 miles away

San Jose

34.4 miles away

Saratoga

34.6 miles away

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FAQ about Inner Channel fishing

📍 Where is the Inner Channel located?
the Inner Channel is a stream located in Monterey County, California, United States. Its coordinates are:
36°48′21.5″N 121°47′6.4″W
.
🎣 Where on the Inner Channel is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Inner Channel 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 Inner Channel?
The most common species in the Inner Channel are:
📢 What are the latest Inner Channel fishing reports?
The latest Inner Channel fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Inner Channel right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Inner Channel, 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 Inner Channel?

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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