Rock Greenling in California
California rules, records and waters for rock greenling.
- 10 a daydaily bag
California rock greenling at a glance
CDFW covers Rock greenling (Hexagrammos lagocephalus) among its other species, found on salt water. CDFW sets a Northern Groundfish Management Area (CA-OR border (42°00′ N) to Cape Mendocino ( bag of 10 a day and a size rule of none.
The Marine Species Portal lists the north and central regions.
How CDFW describes rock greenling
“In the eastern Pacific Ocean, rock greenling range from the Bering Sea, Alaska to Point Conception, California. The species also occurs in the western Pacific Ocean south to Japan. In California, this species is infrequently observed south of San Francisco.”
“Rock greenling prefer relatively shallow water habitats along rocky coasts, around jetties, and in kelp beds in depths from the intertidal zone to 80 meters (262 feet).”
- SizeRock greenling can be as long as 61 centimeters (24 inches) and weigh as much as 2.1 kilograms (4.7 pounds).
- SeasonRecreational and commercial fishing seasons and other regulations for rock greenling 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 rock greenling include hook-and-line and spear gears. Legal commercial gears for rock greenling 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 namessea trout, red greenling, rock trout, kelp trout
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
How many rock greenling you may keep
| 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.
If you like rock greenling
- Barred Sand BassOther
- Barred Surfperch and Redtail SurfperchOther
- Black CroakerOther
- Black PerchOther
- BlacksmithOther
- CabezonOther
- Calico SurfperchOther
- California CorbinaOther
- California Moray EelOther
- California ScorpionfishOther
- California SheepheadOther
- DolphinfishOther
Things to know about rock greenling
What is the California bag limit on rock greenling?
10 a day (Northern Groundfish Management Area (CA-OR border (42°00' N) to Cape Mendocino (), size none.
Where was the record rock greenling caught?
CDFW lists no record for it.
Which California waters hold rock greenling?
Allowed statewide, but closures by depth, geographic area, and time of year may exist.
Is rock greenling part of the stocking plan?
Not in the 2026 trout and inland salmon plan.
How do I identify rock greenling?
Rock greenling can be as long as 61 centimeters (24 inches) and weigh as much as 2.1 kilograms (4.7 pounds).
Does California close the season on rock greenling?
April 1 – December 31: open all depths
Which California license covers rock greenling?
A license from age 16 at $64.54; check the card rules for salmon and sturgeon.
Which landings report rock greenling?
None list it in their counts; see the guides page.
Plan a rock greenling trip
Choose a water from the lists on this page.