Redtail Surfperch in Washington
Where redtail surfperch live in Washington, with the rules.
- 12 dailylimit
- 4.05 lbsrecord
Pick for surfperchPiscifun Alloy S inshore spinning reelCheck price at PiscifunPhoto of Westport – Ocean Shores: Pacific Fishery Management Council, CC BY-SA 2.0
A Washington profile of redtail surfperch
Each marine area chapter of the pamphlet carries its own redtail surfperch line. In Marine Area 1 the first row reads: Not included in bottomfish limit. No min. size. Daily limit 12 surfperch. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. When bottomfish is CLOSED: fishing from North Jetty prohibited.
The record book shows 4.05 lbs from Kalaloch, Clallam County (1996), caught by Chris Maynard. The Special Rules tables name it for 1 water. Taxonomists file it as Amphistichus rhodoterus.
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| Marine area | Where | Limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Area 1 | Entire area | Not included in bottomfish limit. No min. size. Daily limit 12 surfperch. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. When bottomfish is CLOSED: fishing from North Jetty prohibited. | Second Sat. in Mar.-Third Sat. in Oct. Year-round from beach |
| Marine Area 2, Marine Area 2-1, Marine Area 2-2 | Entire area | Not included in bottomfish limit. No min. size. Daily limit 12 surfperch. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Second Sat. in Mar.-Third Sat. in Oct. Year-round from beach |
| Marine Area 3 | Entire area | Not included in bottomfish limit. No min. size. Daily limit 12 surfperch. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Second Sat. in Mar.- Third Sat. in Oct. Year-round from beach |
| Marine Area 4 | West of the Bonilla-Tatoosh Line | Not included in bottomfish limit. No min. size. Daily limit 12 surfperch. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Second Sat. in Mar.-Third Sat. in Oct. Year-round from beach |
| Marine Area 4 | East of the Bonilla-Tatoosh Line | Not included in bottomfish limit. No min. size. Daily limit 12 surfperch. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Year-round |
| Marine Area 5 | Entire area | No min. size. Daily limit 10. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Year-round |
| Marine Area 6 | Entire area | No min. size. Daily limit 10. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Year-round |
| Marine Area 7 | Entire area | No min. size. Daily limit 10. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Year-round |
| Marine Area 8-1, Marine Area 8-2 | Entire area | No min. size. Daily limit 10. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Year-round |
| Marine Area 8-1, Marine Area 8-2 | Entire area | No min. size. Daily limit 10. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Year-round |
| Marine Area 9 | Entire area | No min. size. Daily limit 10. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Year-round |
| Marine Area 10 | Entire area | No min. size. Daily limit 10. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Year-round |
| Marine Area 11 | Entire area | No min. size. Daily limit 10. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Year-round |
| Marine Area 12 | Entire area | CLOSED to fishing for, retaining, or possessing. | CLOSED |
| Marine Area 13 | Entire area | No min. size. Daily limit 10. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Year-round |
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 112 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations marine area page), read October 31, 2026.
Lakes and rivers that set redtail surfperch apart
Look for "surfperch" in the Special Rules: 1 water use them.
The biggest Washington redtail surfperch on file
| Listing | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redtail Surfperch | 4.05 lbs | Chris Maynard | Kalaloch, Clallam County | Aug. 4, 1996 |
WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.
Washington cousins of redtail surfperch
- Pile Surfperchsaltwater
- Striped Surfperchsaltwater
The shoreline country around Redtail Surfperch, in pictures
Photo: JOHN LLOYD, CC BY 2.0
Photo: SounderBruce, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: l.madhavan, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Evergreen State redtail surfperch, asked and answered
How many redtail surfperch may I keep in Washington?
Area by area; for Marine Area 1: Not included in bottomfish limit. No min. size. Daily limit 12 surfperch. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. When bottomfish is CLOSED: fishing from North Jetty proh
From which water did the Washington record redtail surfperch come?
WDFW lists 4.05 lbs, Kalaloch, Clallam County, 1996, Chris Maynard.
What Washington water is a good bet for redtail surfperch?
No Washington water page lists this fish yet.
Are redtail surfperch part of the WDFW plants report?
No 2026 WDFW trout plant names it.
Is the redtail surfperch rule the same everywhere in Washington?
It differs on 1 water with Special Rules.
Is redtail surfperch open all year in Washington?
Season as printed: Second Sat. in Mar.-Third Sat. in Oct. Year-round from beach. Emergency rules can change it in season.
Which WDFW license lets me fish for redtail surfperch?
Anglers 16 and older fishing marine water carry a Saltwater license ($40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license, plus a catch record card for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead or halibut.
Who keeps the Washington record for redtail surfperch?
WDFW does; marine fish are verified only at the Region 4 or Region 6 offices or Olympia headquarters.
Find redtail surfperch within a drive
Each water listed has a Washington page.