Can I Keep?Mussels Regulations in California (2026)
Recreational mussels 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.
Bag limit
The daily bag and possession limit is 10 pounds (in the shell) of…
Season
The recreational season for California sea mussel (Mytilus…
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Mussels rules in California
- Where
- Northern Management Area
- Bag limit
- The daily bag and possession limit is 10 pounds (in the shell) of California sea mussels and bay mussels in combination.
- Season
- The recreational season for California sea mussel (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round.
- Status from the CDFW status icon for this section (greencircle.png).
- Note that CDPH monitors and annually quarantines mussels to prevent human cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid poisoning; however, warnings advising consumers not to eat recreationally taken shellfish may be issued at any time.
- The annual quarantine is usually in effect from May through October, and applies only to sport-harvested mussels intended for human consumption.
- For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page.
- Where
- Mendocino Management Area
- Bag limit
- The daily bag and possession limit is 10 pounds (in the shell) of California sea mussels and bay mussels in combination.
- Season
- The recreational season for California sea mussel (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round.
- Status from the CDFW status icon for this section (greencircle.png).
- Note that the California Department of Public Health monitors and annually quarantines mussels to prevent human cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid poisoning; however, warnings advising consumers not to eat recreationally taken shellfish may be issued at any time.
- The annual quarantine is usually in effect from May through October, and applies only to sport-harvested mussels intended for human consumption.
- For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page.
- Where
- San Francisco Management Area
- Bag limit
- The daily bag and possession limit is 10 pounds (in the shell) of California sea mussels and bay mussels in combination.
- Season
- The recreational season for California sea mussel (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round.
- Status from the CDFW status icon for this section (greencircle.png).
- Note that the California Department of Public Health monitors and annually quarantines mussels to prevent human cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid poisoning; however, warnings advising consumers not to eat recreationally taken shellfish may be issued at any time.
- The annual quarantine is usually in effect from May through October, and applies only to sport-harvested mussels intended for human consumption.
- For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page.
- Where
- Central Management Area
- Bag limit
- The daily bag and possession limit is 10 pounds (in the shell) of California sea mussels and bay mussels in combination.
- Season
- The recreational season for California sea mussel (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round.
- Status from the CDFW status icon for this section (greencircle.png).
- Note that the California Department of Public Health monitors and annually quarantines mussels to prevent human cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid poisoning; however, warnings advising consumers not to eat recreationally taken shellfish may be issued at any time.
- The annual quarantine is usually in effect from May through October, and applies only to sport-harvested mussels intended for human consumption.
- For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally occurring shellfish toxins, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories page.
- Where
- Southern Management Area
- Bag limit
- The daily bag and possession limit is 10 pounds (in the shell) of California sea mussels and bay mussels in combination.
- Season
- The recreational season for California sea mussel (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round.
- Status from the CDFW status icon for this section (yellowcircle.png); yellow = 'Partially closed fishing season or alert'.
- NOTE: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested mussels, clams, or whole scallops from the Northern Channel Islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel islands) due to dangerous levels of domoic acid found in sport-harvested bivalve shellfish.
- For the latest advisory information, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- Note that the California Department of Public Health monitors and annually quarantines mussels to prevent human cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid poisoning; however, warnings advising consumers not to eat recreationally taken shellfish may be issued at any time.
- The annual quarantine is usually in effect from May through October, and applies only to sport-harvested mussels intended for human consumption.
- For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories page.
- Where
- San Francisco Bay District (bays & inshore)
- Bag limit
- The daily bag and possession limit is 10 pounds (in the shell) of California sea mussels and bay mussels in combination.
- Season
- The recreational season for California sea mussel (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round.
- Status from the CDFW status icon for this section (greencircle.png).
- Note that the California Department of Public Health monitors and annually quarantines mussels to prevent human cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid poisoning; however, warnings advising consumers not to eat recreationally taken shellfish may be issued at any time.
- The annual quarantine is usually in effect from May through October, and applies only to sport-harvested mussels intended for human consumption.
- For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories page.
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- Bag limit
- Any time in any number except that in Districts 19, 19A, 19B, and 21 the daily bag limit for California sea mussels is 250 pounds in the shell or equivalent out of the shell, where one pound meat equal 3.8 pounds in shell; and one gallon meat equal 30 pounds in shell (FGC §8344; T14 CCR §115).
- Season
- Any time in any number except that in Districts 19, 19A, 19B, and 21 the daily bag limit for California sea mussels is 250 pounds in the shell or equivalent out of the shell, where one pound meat equal 3.8 pounds in shell; and one gallon meat equal 30 pounds in shell (FGC §8344; T14 CCR §115).
- License: Any resident 16 years of age or older who uses or operates, or assists in using or operating, any boat, aircraft, net, trap, line, or other appliance to take fish or amphibia for commercial purposes, or who causes to be brought ashore any fish or amphibia at any point in the state for the purpose of selling them in a fresh state, or who contributes materially to the activities on board a commercial fishing vessel is required to have a commercial fishing license. (FGC §7850).
- Source: 2026 California Commercial Fishing Digest (CDFW); regulations may change in-season.
Quick answers
How many mussels can I keep in California?
The daily bag and possession limit is 10 pounds (in the shell) of California sea mussels and bay mussels in combination. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is mussels season in California?
The recreational season for California sea mussel (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
Compare Mussels limits in other states →
More clams, oysters & scallops 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.