Canary Rockfish in California
canary rockfish: California limits and records.
- 2 a daydaily bag
- 10 lbs., 4 oz.record
canary rockfish, the California picture
On salt water, Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) belongs to the rockfish group in CDFW references. The Statewide row reads 2 a day, size none.
CDFW lists a record of 10 lbs., 4 oz. from Albion, 2025. The north, central and south coast holds it, per the portal.
What CDFW writes about canary rockfish
“Canary rockfish occur from the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea to Baja California, Mexico.”
“Canary rockfish live at depths of 18 to 838 meters (59 to 2,749 feet). Juveniles stay in shallow waters while adults move deeper and primarily live in rocky habitat.”
- SizeCanary rockfish grow up to 76 centimeters (30 inches) and can weigh over 3.3 kilograms (7 pounds).
- SeasonRecreational and commercial fishing seasons and other regulations for canary 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 curr
- GearLegal recreational gears for canary rockfish include hook-and-line and spear gears. Legal commercial gears for canary rockfish vary by sector and may include a variety of hook-and-line gears as well as gill nets, trawls, and traps.
- Where fishedAllowed statewide, but closures by depth, geographic area, and time of year may exist.
- Other namesred snapper, fantail, canary, orange rockfish
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
Keeping canary rockfish in California
| Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 2 a day | none | see rule |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations. All California limits.
State record canary rockfish
| Category | Method | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean angling | Lure | 10 lbs., 4 oz. | Albion | 2025 |
| Ocean diving | Free | 3 lbs., 4 oz. | Gualala | 2018 |
CDFW Angling and Diving Records. Angler names left out.
Operators reporting canary rockfish
- Patriot Sportfishingsportfishing landing / party boat, Avila Beach, (805) 595-7200
Top species in sportfishingreport.com dock totals, October 2025 to October 2026.
More in the group with canary rockfish
- Black RockfishRockfish
- Black-and-Yellow RockfishRockfish
- Blue RockfishRockfish
- Bocaccio RockfishRockfish
- Brown RockfishRockfish
- Calico RockfishRockfish
- Chilipepper RockfishRockfish
- China RockfishRockfish
- Copper RockfishRockfish
- CowcodRockfish
- Flag RockfishRockfish
- Gopher RockfishRockfish
canary rockfish questions, answered briefly
What daily bag applies to canary rockfish in California?
2 a day (Statewide), size none.
How big is the state record canary rockfish?
10 lbs., 4 oz. from Albion (2025).
Where are canary rockfish found?
Allowed statewide, but closures by depth, geographic area, and time of year may exist.
Are canary rockfish planted in California?
The 2026 plan does not include it.
What is canary rockfish also called?
Canary rockfish grow up to 76 centimeters (30 inches) and can weigh over 3.3 kilograms (7 pounds).
Can I fish for canary rockfish all year?
see rule
Is a validation needed for canary rockfish?
A California sport fishing license ($64.54 resident) from age 16; report cards apply to steelhead, sturgeon, North Coast salmon and lobster.
Who guides for canary rockfish?
1 operator list it in their counts, including Patriot Sportfishing.