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California Scorpionfish Regulations in California (2026)

Scorpaena guttata

Recreational california scorpionfish rules in California saltwater, as published by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Last checked November 7, 2026.

Size limit
The daily bag and possession limit is 5 fish with no minimum size…
Bag limit
5 per person
Season
The recreational fishery for California scorpionfish (Scorpaena…

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Recreational California Scorpionfish rules in California

Where
Mendocino Management Area
Size limit
The daily bag and possession limit is 5 fish with no minimum size limit.
Bag limit
The daily bag and possession limit is 5 fish with no minimum size limit.
Season
The recreational fishery for California scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata) is open year-round, at all depths.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 5 commercial rules
Where
Northern Management Area (state waters north of 40°10′ N. lat.) (ocean)
Size limit
Black-and-yellow, gopher, and kelp rockfish, California scorpionfish (sculpin) not less than 10 inches total length.
Bag limit
Cumulative trip limit in state waters: 3,500 lbs / 2 mo
  • Federal trip limits for non-nearshore groundfish stocks (including lingcod and the other flatfish complex) are extended into state waters, statewide. Trip limits for nearshore groundfish stocks are provided in the tables below. Please be aware, vessels fishing in both state and federal waters are not entitled to additive trip limits.
  • Commercial Groundfish Trip Limits in State Waters North of 40° 10' N latitude (near Cape Mendocino) Vessels fishing in both state and federal waters are not entitled to additive trip limits. Federal groundfish are defined in Section 1.91, Title 14, CCR.
  • Size limit source: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=191712&inline
  • A Nearshore Fishery Permit is required to take nearshore fish stocks commercially (T14 CCR §150.01).

Official source

Where
Mendocino Management Area (state waters south of 40°10′ N. lat.) (ocean)
Size limit
Black-and-yellow, gopher, and kelp rockfish, California scorpionfish (sculpin) not less than 10 inches total length.
Bag limit
Cumulative trip limit in state waters: 3,500 lbs / 2 mo
  • Federal trip limits for non-nearshore groundfish stocks (including lingcod and the other flatfish complex) are extended into state waters, statewide. Trip limits for nearshore groundfish stocks are provided in the tables below. Please be aware, vessels fishing in both state and federal waters are not entitled to additive trip limits.
  • Commercial Groundfish Trip Limits in State Waters South of 40° 10' N latitude (near Cape Mendocino) Vessels fishing in both state and federal waters are not entitled to additive trip limits. Federal groundfish are defined in Section 1.91, Title 14, CCR.
  • Size limit source: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=191712&inline
  • A Nearshore Fishery Permit is required to take nearshore fish stocks commercially (T14 CCR §150.01).

Official source

Where
San Francisco Management Area (state waters south of 40°10′ N. lat.) (ocean)
Size limit
Black-and-yellow, gopher, and kelp rockfish, California scorpionfish (sculpin) not less than 10 inches total length.
Bag limit
Cumulative trip limit in state waters: 3,500 lbs / 2 mo
  • Federal trip limits for non-nearshore groundfish stocks (including lingcod and the other flatfish complex) are extended into state waters, statewide. Trip limits for nearshore groundfish stocks are provided in the tables below. Please be aware, vessels fishing in both state and federal waters are not entitled to additive trip limits.
  • Commercial Groundfish Trip Limits in State Waters South of 40° 10' N latitude (near Cape Mendocino) Vessels fishing in both state and federal waters are not entitled to additive trip limits. Federal groundfish are defined in Section 1.91, Title 14, CCR.
  • Size limit source: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=191712&inline
  • A Nearshore Fishery Permit is required to take nearshore fish stocks commercially (T14 CCR §150.01).

Official source

Where
Central Management Area (state waters south of 40°10′ N. lat.) (ocean)
Size limit
Black-and-yellow, gopher, and kelp rockfish, California scorpionfish (sculpin) not less than 10 inches total length.
Bag limit
Cumulative trip limit in state waters: 3,500 lbs / 2 mo
  • Federal trip limits for non-nearshore groundfish stocks (including lingcod and the other flatfish complex) are extended into state waters, statewide. Trip limits for nearshore groundfish stocks are provided in the tables below. Please be aware, vessels fishing in both state and federal waters are not entitled to additive trip limits.
  • Commercial Groundfish Trip Limits in State Waters South of 40° 10' N latitude (near Cape Mendocino) Vessels fishing in both state and federal waters are not entitled to additive trip limits. Federal groundfish are defined in Section 1.91, Title 14, CCR.
  • Size limit source: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=191712&inline
  • A Nearshore Fishery Permit is required to take nearshore fish stocks commercially (T14 CCR §150.01).

Official source

Where
Southern Management Area (state waters south of 40°10′ N. lat.) (ocean)
Size limit
Black-and-yellow, gopher, and kelp rockfish, California scorpionfish (sculpin) not less than 10 inches total length.
Bag limit
Cumulative trip limit in state waters: 3,500 lbs / 2 mo
  • Federal trip limits for non-nearshore groundfish stocks (including lingcod and the other flatfish complex) are extended into state waters, statewide. Trip limits for nearshore groundfish stocks are provided in the tables below. Please be aware, vessels fishing in both state and federal waters are not entitled to additive trip limits.
  • Commercial Groundfish Trip Limits in State Waters South of 40° 10' N latitude (near Cape Mendocino) Vessels fishing in both state and federal waters are not entitled to additive trip limits. Federal groundfish are defined in Section 1.91, Title 14, CCR.
  • Size limit source: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=191712&inline
  • A Nearshore Fishery Permit is required to take nearshore fish stocks commercially (T14 CCR §150.01).

Official source

Quick answers

What is the california scorpionfish size limit in California?

The daily bag and possession limit is 5 fish with no minimum size limit..

How many california scorpionfish can I keep in California?

The daily bag and possession limit is 5 fish with no minimum size limit..

When is california scorpionfish season in California?

The recreational fishery for California scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata) is open year-round, at all depths.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

More groundfish & flatfish in California

All California saltwater fishing regulations →

Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Most anglers need a California saltwater license or registry: get one here.