Spearfishing Hub
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Central California, Northern California
Minimum Size:
No minimum size.
Limit and Possession:
1 / day | 1 possessed
Season:
May 1 - Nov 15 or Until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier. Check CDFW Pacific Halibut "In-Season Tracking" to see catch remains under quota of 39,540 pounds.
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The recreational Pacific halibut fishery will close statewide effective August 5, 2023 due to projections that the annual California recreational quota will be met by that date.
Northern California, Central California, Southern California
Minimum Size:
No minimum size.
Limit and Possession:
10 / day | 10 possessed , in any combination of species of Rockfish, Cabezon, and Greenling complex (RCG complex, as defined in Section 1.91), except as provided below.
(1) The limit on bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod, and yelloweye rockfish is zero. These
species shall not be taken or possessed as part of the RCG limit.
(2) The limit on vermilion rockfish is four fish, within the RCG bag limit.
(3) The limit on quillback rockfish is one fish, within the RCG bag limit.
(4) The limit on copper rockfish is one fish, within the RCG bag limit.
(5) In the Cowcod Conservation Areas (see Section 27.50), the limit on slope rockfish, as
defined in subsection 1.91(a)(4), is zero. These species shall not be taken or possessed as
part of the RCG limit in the Cowcod Conservation Areas.
Season:
Open Yearly
Northern California, Central California, Southern California
CA Spearfish Regulations
General Rules
28.90. DIVING, SPEARFISHING: Persons who are floating or swimming in the water may use spearfishing gear and skin or SCUBA diving equipment to take fin fish other than giant (black) sea bass, garibaldi, gulf grouper, broomtail grouper, trout, salmon, or broadbill [swordfish], except that:
(a) No person may possess or use a spear within 100 yards of the mouth of any stream in any ocean waters north of Ventura County.
(b) When spearfishing for or in possession of federal groundfish species or all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos as authorized pursuant to subsection 27.20(b)(1)(D), in an area or during a season closed to the take of these species, no fishing gear except spearfishing gear may be aboard the vessel or watercraft.
Disclaimer
I've done my best to reproduce the CA spearfishing laws accurately, but it is important to note that CA Fish and Wildlife often change their regulations without notice and can do so whenever they please. I am one person and cannot always keep up with the regulation. I hope you find this a useful source, but ultimately it is your responsibility to keep current with the laws.