Gopher Rockfish in California
gopher rockfish: California limits and records.
- 10 a daydaily bag
gopher rockfish, the California picture
On salt water, Gopher rockfish (Sebastes carnatus) belongs to the rockfish group in CDFW references. The Northern Groundfish Management Area (CA-OR border (42°00′ N) to Cape Mendocino ( row reads 10 a day, size none.
The north, central and south coast holds it, per the portal.
What CDFW writes about gopher rockfish
“Gopher rockfish range from Cape Blanco, Oregon to central Baja California, Mexico but they are most common from Sonoma County to Santa Monica Bay, California.”
“Gopher rockfish inhabit rocky reefs or the kelp canopy. They can be found in depths from the intertidal zone to 86 meters (282 feet), though are more commonly found between 9-37 meters (30-120 feet).”
- SizeGopher rockfish can reach 43 centimeters (17 inches) in length.
- SeasonRecreational and commercial fishing seasons and other regulations for gopher 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 gopher rockfish include hook-and-line and spear gears. Legal commercial gears for gopher 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 area closures by depth, geographic area, and time of year may exist.
- Other namesrock bass, spotted rock bass, rock cod, butter bass
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
Keeping gopher rockfish in California
| 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.
Operators reporting gopher rockfish
- Virg's Landingsportfishing landing / party boat, Morro Bay, (805) 772-1222
Top species in sportfishingreport.com dock totals, October 2025 to October 2026.
More in the group with gopher rockfish
- Black RockfishRockfish
- Black-and-Yellow RockfishRockfish
- Blue RockfishRockfish
- Bocaccio RockfishRockfish
- Brown RockfishRockfish
- Calico RockfishRockfish
- Canary RockfishRockfish
- Chilipepper RockfishRockfish
- China RockfishRockfish
- Copper RockfishRockfish
- CowcodRockfish
- Flag RockfishRockfish
gopher rockfish questions, answered briefly
What daily bag applies to gopher rockfish in California?
10 a day (Northern Groundfish Management Area (CA-OR border (42°00' N) to Cape Mendocino (), size none.
How big is the state record gopher rockfish?
None on the CDFW list.
Where are gopher rockfish found?
Allowed statewide, but area closures by depth, geographic area, and time of year may exist.
Are gopher rockfish planted in California?
The 2026 plan does not include it.
What is gopher rockfish also called?
Gopher rockfish can reach 43 centimeters (17 inches) in length.
Can I fish for gopher rockfish all year?
April 1 – December 31: open all depths
Is a validation needed for gopher 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 gopher rockfish?
1 operator list it in their counts, including Virg's Landing.