Lingcod Regulations in California (2026)

Recreational lingcod 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

22" total length

Bag limit

2 fish per person

Season

Jan 1 - Mar 31: Closed - unlawful to possess in all waters | April 1…

Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date

Recreational Lingcod rules in California

Where: Northern Management Area (ocean)
Size limit: 22" total length
Bag limit: 2 fish per person
Season: Jan 1 - Mar 31: Closed - unlawful to possess in all waters | April 1 - December 31: Open all depths

Descending device required in possession when taking federal groundfish from a boat in ocean waters (CCR T14, §27.20(b)(2)).
Boundary: 42°00’ N. latitude (CA-OR Border) to 40°10' N. latitude (near Cape Mendocino) (CCR T14, §27.25(a)) Printable PDF of this table
Filleting aboard a vessel: Minimum 14" in length with the entire skin attached
Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from season and depth restrictions (footnote 2).
Page updated June 23, 2026; regulations subject to in-season change.

Official source

Where: Mendocino Management Area (ocean)
Size limit: 22" total length
Bag limit: 2 fish per person
Season: Jan 1 - Mar 31: Closed - unlawful to possess in all waters | April 1 - December 31: Open all depths

Descending device required in possession when taking federal groundfish from a boat in ocean waters (CCR T14, §27.20(b)(2)).
Boundary: 40°10' N. latitude (near Cape Mendocino) to 38°57.5' N. latitude (Point Arena)(CCR T14, §27.30(a)) Printable PDF of this table
Filleting aboard a vessel: Minimum 14" in length with the entire skin attached
Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from season and depth restrictions (footnote 2).
Page updated June 23, 2026; regulations subject to in-season change.

Official source

Where: San Francisco Management Area (ocean)
Size limit: 22" total length
Bag limit: 2 fish per person
Season: Jan 1 - Mar 31: Closed - unlawful to possess in all waters | April 1 - December 31: Open all depths

Descending device required in possession when taking federal groundfish from a boat in ocean waters (CCR T14, §27.20(b)(2)).
Boundary: 38°57.5' N. latitude (Point Arena) to 37°11' N. latitude (Pigeon Point)(CCR T14, §27.35(a))
Filleting aboard a vessel: Minimum 14" in length with the entire skin attached
Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from season and depth restrictions (footnote 2).
Page updated June 23, 2026; regulations subject to in-season change.

Official source

Where: Central Management Area (ocean)
Size limit: 22" total length
Bag limit: 2 fish per person
Season: Jan 1 - Mar 31: Closed - unlawful to possess in all waters | April 1 - December 31: Open all depths

Descending device required in possession when taking federal groundfish from a boat in ocean waters (CCR T14, §27.20(b)(2)).
Boundary: 37°11' N. latitude (Pigeon Point) to 34°27' N. latitude (Point Conception)(CCR T14, §27.40(a)) Printable PDF of this table
Filleting aboard a vessel: Minimum 14" in length with the entire skin attached
Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from season and depth restrictions (footnote 2).
Page updated June 23, 2026; regulations subject to in-season change.

Official source

Where: Southern Management Area (ocean)
Size limit: 22" total length
Bag limit: 2 fish per person
Season: Jan 1 - Mar 31: Closed - unlawful to possess in all waters | April 1 - June 30: Open All Depths | July 1 - Sep 30: 50 Fathom - Inshore Only Take is prohibited seaward of the 50 fathom (300 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line, which is a series of connected waypoints defined in Federal regulations (50 CFR Part 660, Subpart C) | Oct 1 - Dec 31: 50 Fathom - Offshore Only Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom (300 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line, which is a series of connected waypoints defined in Federal regulations (50 CFR Part 660, Subpart C)

Descending device required in possession when taking federal groundfish from a boat in ocean waters (CCR T14, §27.20(b)(2)).
Boundary: 34°27' N. latitude (Point Conception) to the U.S.-Mexico Border (CCR T14, §27.45(a))
Filleting aboard a vessel: Minimum 14" in length with the entire skin attached
Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from season and depth restrictions (footnote 2).
Page updated June 23, 2026; regulations subject to in-season change.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule

Where: Ocean
Bag limit: 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.

Federal groundfish trip limits: 50 CFR 660 Tables 2b/3b (NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region); not imported (eCFR is not accessible to us).

Official source

Quick answers

What is the lingcod size limit in California?

22" total length (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

How many lingcod can I keep in California?

2 fish per person (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

When is lingcod season in California?

Jan 1 - Mar 31: Closed - unlawful to possess in all waters | April 1 - December 31: Open all depths. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

Compare Lingcod limits in other states →

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.