Spot Prawn in California
Where spot prawn live in California, with limits.
- n/adaily bag
Angling for spot prawn across the state
Spot prawn (Pandalus platyceros) is a salt water species CDFW lists in its invertebrates group. There is no species-specific limit row on file.
CDFW maps it along the north, central and south coast.
spot prawn in CDFW words
“Spot prawn range from Alaska to San Diego, California, in depths from 150 to 1,600 feet (46 to 488 meters). They are found in high abundance in California waters off the Farallon Islands, Monterey, the Channel Islands and most offshore banks.”
“Juvenile spot prawn reside in relatively hard-bottom kelp-covered areas in shallow depths (< 70 feet (20 meters)), and adults migrate into deep waters of 150 to 1,600 feet (46 to 488 meters).”
- SizeThe s pot prawn is the largest prawn in the North Pacific reaching a total length of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) and a weight up to 0.25 pounds (120 grams).
- SeasonNorth of Point Arguello, the commercial season is open from August through April. South of Point Arguello, the commercial season is open from February through October. The recreational fishery is open year-round.
- GearThe spot prawn trawl fishery was banned in 2003, and the species may now only be targeted using traps. The commercial traps used for spot prawn are either oval or rectangular-shaped mesh traps with a minimum inside mesh measurement of 7/8 b
- Where fishedThe spot prawn trap fleet operates along the entire coastline of California, from Oregon south to the Mexico border. Fewer than six trap vessels typically fish north of Point Arguello, and landings in this region are significantly lower tha
- Other namesSanta Barbara Prawn, ama ebi
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
Related to spot prawn
- California MusselInvertebrates
- California Spiny LobsterInvertebrates
- California Two-Spot OctopusInvertebrates
- Dungeness CrabInvertebrates
- Kellet’s WhelkInvertebrates
- Pacific Gaper Clam and Fat Gaper ClamInvertebrates
- Pacific Geoduck ClamInvertebrates
- Pacific Razor ClamInvertebrates
- Pismo ClamInvertebrates
- Red Sea UrchinInvertebrates
- Rock CrabsInvertebrates
- Sheep CrabInvertebrates
Short answers on spot prawn
Does California set a size limit on spot prawn?
No row in the summary covers it.
Is there a state record for spot prawn?
No record is on the CDFW table.
Where in California should I fish for spot prawn?
The spot prawn trap fleet operates along the entire coastline of California, from Oregon south to the Mexico border. Fewer than six trap vessels typically fish north of Point Arguello, and landings in this region are sig
Will CDFW plant spot prawn this year?
It is not in the 2026 plan.
How big do spot prawn get?
The s pot prawn is the largest prawn in the North Pacific reaching a total length of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) and a weight up to 0.25 pounds (120 grams).
When can I target spot prawn?
North of Point Arguello, the commercial season is open from August through April. South of Point Arguello, the commercial season is open from February through October. The recreational fishery is open year-round.
Do I need a license for spot prawn?
The $64.54 resident annual, with cards for steelhead, sturgeon and lobster.
Where do I hire a boat for spot prawn?
No operator reports it; try the guides page.
Chase spot prawn statewide
Each water named here opens to its own page.