Chilipepper Rockfish in California
How to find and keep chilipepper rockfish in California.
- 10 a daydaily bag
Where chilipepper rockfish fit in California
The rockfish group in CDFW references includes Chilipepper rockfish (Sebastes goodei), a salt water fish. The Northern Groundfish Management Area limit is 10 a day, size none.
CDFW places it in the north, central and south regions of the coast.
CDFW notes on chilipepper rockfish
“This species is distributed from the eastern Gulf of Alaska to BahÃa Magdalena, Baja California, Mexico. Chilipepper rockfish are most abundant from Cape Mendocino, California to northern Baja California, Mexico.”
“Chilipepper rockfish are most common from just below the surface to 515 meters (1,689 feet). Juveniles and larvae are pelagic and occur in shallower waters, while adults move to deep, high relief rocky areas, sand and mud bottoms, as well as along cliff drop-offs.”
- SizeChilipepper rockfish can grow up to 59 centimeters (23.2 inches) and weigh up to 2.38 kilograms (5.2 pounds).
- SeasonRecreational and commercial fishing seasons and other regulations for chilipepper rockfish vary by fishing sector, geographic area, and time of year, and are subject to changes in-season in response to recent stock and catch information. Fo
- GearLegal recreational gears for chilipepper rockfish include hook and line and spear gears. Legal commercial gears for chilipepper 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 chilipepper rockfish is allowed statewide, but area closures by depth, geographic area, and time of year may exist.
- Other nameschili, red snapper
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
chilipepper rockfish bag and size rules
| Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Groundfish Management Area | 10 a day | none | April 1 – December 31: open all depths |
| Mendocino Groundfish Management Area | 10 a day | none | April 1 – December 31: open all depths |
| San Francisco Groundfish Management Area | 10 a day | none | April 1 – December 31: open all depths |
| Central Groundfish Management Area | 10 a day | none | April 1 – December 31: open all depths |
| Southern Groundfish Management Area | 10 a day | none | Apr. 1 – Jun. 30: open all depths; Jul. 1 – Sep. 30: 50 fathom – inshore only; Oct. 1 – Dec. 31: 50 fathom – offshore only (take prohibited shoreward of the 50 |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations. All California limits.
Neighbors of chilipepper rockfish on the list
- Black RockfishRockfish
- Black-and-Yellow RockfishRockfish
- Blue RockfishRockfish
- Bocaccio RockfishRockfish
- Brown RockfishRockfish
- Calico RockfishRockfish
- Canary RockfishRockfish
- China RockfishRockfish
- Copper RockfishRockfish
- CowcodRockfish
- Flag RockfishRockfish
- Gopher RockfishRockfish
chilipepper rockfish: the usual questions
Can I keep chilipepper rockfish in California?
10 a day (Northern Groundfish Management Area), size none.
What is the biggest chilipepper rockfish caught in California?
No record is kept for it.
Where do anglers catch chilipepper rockfish?
Take of chilipepper rockfish is allowed statewide, but area closures by depth, geographic area, and time of year may exist.
Where does CDFW plant chilipepper rockfish?
CDFW lists no 2026 plants.
How can I tell chilipepper rockfish apart?
Chilipepper rockfish can grow up to 59 centimeters (23.2 inches) and weigh up to 2.38 kilograms (5.2 pounds).
Is chilipepper rockfish season open now?
April 1 – December 31: open all depths
What stamps apply to chilipepper rockfish?
From 16 you need a license ($64.54 resident); some species add a report card.
Can I book a trip for chilipepper rockfish?
The guides page lists every operator.
Target chilipepper rockfish this season
Each water in these lists opens to its own page.