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California Sheephead Regulations in California (2026)

Bodianus pulcher

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

Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.

Size limit
12 in minimum
Bag limit
2 per person
Season
The recreational fishery for California sheephead (Bodianus pulcher)…

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Recreational California Sheephead rules in California

Where
Central Management Area
Size limit
The daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches total length.
Bag limit
The daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches total length.
Season
The recreational fishery for California sheephead (Bodianus pulcher) is open year-round to divers and shore-based anglers. This fishery is open to boat-based anglers from March 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.

Official source

Where
Southern Management Area
Size limit
The daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches total length.
Bag limit
The daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches total length.
Season
The recreational fishery for California sheephead (Bodianus pulcher) is open year-round to divers and shore-based anglers. This fishery is open to boat-based anglers from March 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 5 commercial rules
Where
Northern Management Area (state waters north of 40°10′ N. lat.) (ocean)
Size limit
California sheephead not less than 13 inches total length.
Bag limit
Cumulative trip limit in state waters: 2,000 lbs / 2 mo (Jan-Feb, Mar-Apr); 2,400 lbs / 2 mo (May-Jun, Jul-Aug, Sep-Oct, Nov-Dec)
  • 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
California sheephead not less than 13 inches total length.
Bag limit
Cumulative trip limit in state waters: 2,000 lbs / 2 mo (Jan-Feb, Mar-Apr); 2,400 lbs / 2 mo (May-Jun, Jul-Aug, Sep-Oct, Nov-Dec)
  • 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
California sheephead not less than 13 inches total length.
Bag limit
Cumulative trip limit in state waters: 2,000 lbs / 2 mo (Jan-Feb, Mar-Apr); 2,400 lbs / 2 mo (May-Jun, Jul-Aug, Sep-Oct, Nov-Dec)
  • 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
California sheephead not less than 13 inches total length.
Bag limit
Cumulative trip limit in state waters: 2,000 lbs / 2 mo (Jan-Feb, Mar-Apr); 2,400 lbs / 2 mo (May-Jun, Jul-Aug, Sep-Oct, Nov-Dec)
  • 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
California sheephead not less than 13 inches total length.
Bag limit
Cumulative trip limit in state waters: 2,000 lbs / 2 mo (Jan-Feb, Mar-Apr); 2,400 lbs / 2 mo (May-Jun, Jul-Aug, Sep-Oct, Nov-Dec)
  • 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 sheephead size limit in California?

The daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches total length. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

How many california sheephead can I keep in California?

The daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches total length. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

When is california sheephead season in California?

The recreational fishery for California sheephead (Bodianus pulcher) is open year-round to divers and shore-based anglers. This fishery is open to boat-based anglers from March 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

More reef fish 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.