Squarespot Rockfish in California
How to find and keep squarespot rockfish in California.
- 10 a daydaily bag
Where squarespot rockfish fit in California
The rockfish group in CDFW references includes Squarespot rockfish (Sebastes hopkinsi), a salt water fish. The Northern Groundfish Management Area limit is 10 a day, size none.
CDFW places it in the central and south regions of the coast.
CDFW notes on squarespot rockfish
“Squarespot rockfish are found from the Farallon Islands (off San Francisco, California) to central Baja California and Guadalupe Island, Mexico; they are rare north of Monterey Bay.”
“Schooling species found from mid-water to the bottom over rock substrates at depths between 18 meters (60 feet) and 305 meters (1,000 feet).”
- SizeReach a maximum length of 29 centimeters (11 inches), with females being larger than males.
- SeasonRecreational and commercial fishing seasons and other regulations for greenblotched 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. F
- GearTaken recreationally by hook and line. Legal commercial gears vary by sector and may include a variety of hook and line gears as well as gill nets, trawls, and traps.
- Where fishedThey may be taken statewide, but are rare north of Monterey.
- Other namesRocote a cuadros
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
squarespot 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 squarespot rockfish on the list
- 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
squarespot rockfish: the usual questions
Can I keep squarespot rockfish in California?
10 a day (Northern Groundfish Management Area), size none.
What is the biggest squarespot rockfish caught in California?
No record is kept for it.
Where do anglers catch squarespot rockfish?
They may be taken statewide, but are rare north of Monterey.
Where does CDFW plant squarespot rockfish?
CDFW lists no 2026 plants.
How can I tell squarespot rockfish apart?
Reach a maximum length of 29 centimeters (11 inches), with females being larger than males.
Is squarespot rockfish season open now?
April 1 – December 31: open all depths
What stamps apply to squarespot rockfish?
From 16 you need a license ($64.54 resident); some species add a report card.
Can I book a trip for squarespot rockfish?
The guides page lists every operator.
Target squarespot rockfish this season
Each water in these lists opens to its own page.