Brown Rockfish in California
Where brown rockfish live in California, with limits.
- 10 a daydaily bag
- 7 lbs., 6 oz.record
Angling for brown rockfish across the state
Brown rockfish (Sebastes auriculatus) is a salt water species CDFW lists in its rockfish group. Bag and size (Northern Groundfish Management Area (CA-OR border (42°00′ N) to Cape Mendocino (): 10 a day, none.
The California record is 7 lbs., 6 oz. from Sister’s Rock (2023). CDFW maps it along the north, central and south coast.
brown rockfish in CDFW words
“Brown rockfish can be found from Prince William Sound, Alaska to Bahía Magdalena, southern Baja California, Mexico.”
“Brown rockfish can be found as deep as 294 meters (964 feet) but are generally found in waters shallower than 53 meters (175 feet). They are often found near rocky areas and kelp beds.”
- SizeBrown rockfish can be as long as 56 centimeters (22 inches).
- SeasonRecreational and commercial fishing seasons and other regulations for brown rockfish vary by fishing sector, geographic area, and time of year, and are subject to changes inseason in response to recent stock and catch information. For curre
- GearLegal recreational gears for rockfish include hook and line and spear gears. Legal commercial gears for rockfish vary by sector and may include a variety of hook and line gears as well as gill nets, trawls, and traps.
- Where fishedTake of brown rockfish is allowed statewide, but closures by depth, geographic area, and time of year may exist.
- Other namesbolina, sugarbass, chocolate bass, P.D. bass, cinnamon bass, brown bass, sea bass
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
Rules for brown rockfish
| Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Groundfish Management Area (CA-OR border (42°00' N) to Cape Mendocino (40°10' N)) | 10 a day | none | April 1 – December 31: open all depths |
| Mendocino Groundfish Management Area (Cape Mendocino (40°10' N) to Point Arena (38°57.5' N)) | 10 a day | none | April 1 – December 31: open all depths |
| San Francisco Groundfish Management Area (Point Arena (38°57.5' N) to Pigeon Point (37°11' N)) | 10 a day | none | April 1 – December 31: open all depths |
| Central Groundfish Management Area (Pigeon Point (37°11' N) to Point Conception (34°27' N)) | 10 a day | none | April 1 – December 31: open all depths |
| Southern Groundfish Management Area (Point Conception (34°27' N) to U.S.-Mexico border) | 10 a day | none | Apr. 1 – Jun. 30: open all depths; Jul. 1 – Sep. 30: 50 fathom – inshore only (take prohibited seaward of the 50 fathom RCA line) |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations. All California limits.
Record brown rockfish from California
| Category | Method | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean angling | Lure | 7 lbs., 6 oz. | Sister's Rock | 2023 |
CDFW Angling and Diving Records. Angler names left out.
Who brings in brown rockfish
- Virg's Landingsportfishing landing / party boat, Morro Bay, (805) 772-1222
Top species in sportfishingreport.com dock totals, October 2025 to October 2026.
Related to brown rockfish
- Black RockfishRockfish
- Black-and-Yellow RockfishRockfish
- Blue RockfishRockfish
- Bocaccio RockfishRockfish
- Calico RockfishRockfish
- Canary RockfishRockfish
- Chilipepper RockfishRockfish
- China RockfishRockfish
- Copper RockfishRockfish
- CowcodRockfish
- Flag RockfishRockfish
- Gopher RockfishRockfish
Short answers on brown rockfish
Does California set a size limit on brown rockfish?
10 a day (Northern Groundfish Management Area (CA-OR border (42°00' N) to Cape Mendocino (), size none.
Is there a state record for brown rockfish?
7 lbs., 6 oz. from Sister's Rock (2023).
Where in California should I fish for brown rockfish?
Take of brown rockfish is allowed statewide, but closures by depth, geographic area, and time of year may exist.
Will CDFW plant brown rockfish this year?
It is not in the 2026 plan.
How big do brown rockfish get?
Brown rockfish can be as long as 56 centimeters (22 inches).
When can I target brown rockfish?
April 1 – December 31: open all depths
Do I need a license for brown rockfish?
The $64.54 resident annual, with cards for steelhead, sturgeon and lobster.
Where do I hire a boat for brown rockfish?
1 operator list it in their counts, including Virg's Landing.
Chase brown rockfish statewide
Each water named here opens to its own page.