Can I Keep?Quillback Rockfish Regulations in California (2026)
Recreational quillback rockfish rules in California saltwater, as published by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Bag limit
zero fish per person
Season
Fishing is closed year-round, at all depths, no retention at any time…
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Quillback Rockfish rules in California
- Where
- Ocean
- Bag limit
- zero fish per person
- Season
- Fishing is closed year-round, at all depths, no retention at any time (zero fish per person).
- Page updated June 23, 2026
Commercial rules
Show 5 commercial rules
- Where
- Northern Management Area (state waters north of 40°10′ N. lat.) (ocean)
- Bag limit
- Cumulative trip limit in state waters: Closed
- 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.
- A Nearshore Fishery Permit is required to take nearshore fish stocks commercially (T14 CCR §150.01).
- Where
- Mendocino Management Area (state waters south of 40°10′ N. lat.) (ocean)
- Bag limit
- Cumulative trip limit in state waters: Closed
- 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.
- A Nearshore Fishery Permit is required to take nearshore fish stocks commercially (T14 CCR §150.01).
- Where
- San Francisco Management Area (state waters south of 40°10′ N. lat.) (ocean)
- Bag limit
- Cumulative trip limit in state waters: Closed
- 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.
- A Nearshore Fishery Permit is required to take nearshore fish stocks commercially (T14 CCR §150.01).
- Where
- Central Management Area (state waters south of 40°10′ N. lat.) (ocean)
- Bag limit
- Cumulative trip limit in state waters: Closed
- 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.
- A Nearshore Fishery Permit is required to take nearshore fish stocks commercially (T14 CCR §150.01).
- Where
- Southern Management Area (state waters south of 40°10′ N. lat.) (ocean)
- Bag limit
- Cumulative trip limit in state waters: Closed
- 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.
- A Nearshore Fishery Permit is required to take nearshore fish stocks commercially (T14 CCR §150.01).
Quick answers
How many quillback rockfish can I keep in California?
zero fish per person.
When is quillback rockfish season in California?
Fishing is closed year-round, at all depths, no retention at any time (zero fish per person).. 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
- Bronzespotted Rockfish
- Cabezon
- California Scorpionfish
- California Scorpionfish (a.k.a. sculpin)
- Cowcod
- Kelp and rock greenlings
- Lingcod
- Nearshore rockfish
- Ocean Whitefish
- Other Federally Managed Groundfish
- Pacific Halibut
- Pacific Sanddab and Other Flatfish
- Petrale Sole and Starry Flounder
- Shelf and slope rockfish
- Yelloweye Rockfish
All California saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Most anglers need a California saltwater license or registry: get one here.