White Croaker in California
Where white croaker live in California, with limits.
- 20 a daydaily bag
Angling for white croaker across the state
White croaker (Genyonemus lineatus) is a salt water species CDFW lists in its other group. Bag and size (Statewide ocean and San Francisco Bay): 20 a day, none.
CDFW maps it along the north, central and south coast.
white croaker in CDFW words
“White croaker have a large range along the eastern Pacific from Barkley Sound, British Columbia to Bahia Magdalena, Baja California Sur.”
“Adult white croaker are found in cloudy waters, nearshore and within bays over benthic muddy substrate or mid-water. Larvae reside just outside of the surf line until settlement (transition from larvae to juvenile fish).”
- SizeWhite croaker can reach a maximum length of 41 centimeters (16 inches). Maximum weight is unknown.
- SeasonThere is no closed season for white croaker.
- GearHook and line is the primary gear used recreationally. White croaker is caught in commercial fisheries by several gear types, including but not limited to: entangling nets (drift gill net, set gill net and trammel net), surrounding nets (pu
- Where fishedWhite croaker are most often fished from the shore but are occasionally caught further offshore along their range.
- Other namesKing fish, sewer trout, tommy croaker, tomcod
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
Rules for white croaker
| Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide ocean and San Francisco Bay | 20 a day | none | see rule |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations. All California limits.
Related to white croaker
- 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
Short answers on white croaker
Does California set a size limit on white croaker?
20 a day (Statewide ocean and San Francisco Bay), size none.
Is there a state record for white croaker?
No record is on the CDFW table.
Where in California should I fish for white croaker?
White croaker are most often fished from the shore but are occasionally caught further offshore along their range.
Will CDFW plant white croaker this year?
It is not in the 2026 plan.
How big do white croaker get?
White croaker can reach a maximum length of 41 centimeters (16 inches). Maximum weight is unknown.
When can I target white croaker?
see rule
Do I need a license for white croaker?
The $64.54 resident annual, with cards for steelhead, sturgeon and lobster.
Where do I hire a boat for white croaker?
No operator reports it; try the guides page.
Chase white croaker statewide
Each water named here opens to its own page.