Updated Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Booklet Now Available​

August 1, 2024

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has updated its 2024 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (PDF), and encourages anglers, divers, and all outdoor enthusiasts coastwide to download and review the August 1, 2024 version.

The updated booklet is now available on the CDFW Fishing Regulations web page, in the CDFW License App, and on the CDFW Marine Region's comprehensive Ocean Sport Fishing web page.

Regulation changes and updates include the following:

1. New marine protected area regulations (CCR T14 §632(a)(13), (14), and (15)) regarding pre-existing artificial structures in marine protected areas

2. Updated California halibut regulations (no changes in seasons, size, or bag limits)

3. Complete ocean salmon regulations for 2024

4. Notices regarding the white sturgeon season closure with links to the press release that provides more information about the recent closure decision
For a quick check of seasons, size limits, and bag/possession limits for popular California fish and shellfish, go to the regulation summary tables beginning on page 46 in the booklet.

I’m hoping to get some lingcod this year. Can anyone point to a simplified version of the regulations? I’d like to launch at Albion. The update mentions several dates but doesn’t always clearly say if fishing is open or closed.

I’m hoping to get some lingcod this year. Can anyone point to a simplified version of the regulations? I’d like to launch at Albion. The update mentions several dates but doesn’t always clearly say if fishing is open or closed.

https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Groundfish-Summary#mendocino

For kayak rockfishing out of Albion basically mark October and December as closed for this year. That 300 line is pretty far out there.

What changed in CA Halibut regs - no season, size, or bag limits changed?

Thanks for the info Howard.

Thanks for posting the update, Hojo!

I’m hoping to get some lingcod this year. Can anyone point to a simplified version of the regulations? I’d like to launch at Albion. The update mentions several dates but doesn’t always clearly say if fishing is open or closed.

https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Groundfish-Summary#mendocino

For kayak rockfishing out of Albion basically mark October and December as closed for this year. That 300 line is pretty far out there.

Thanks, I’ll keep an eye on September and November.

I’m hoping to get some lingcod this year. Can anyone point to a simplified version of the regulations? I’d like to launch at Albion. The update mentions several dates but doesn’t always clearly say if fishing is open or closed.

https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Groundfish-Summary#mendocino

For kayak rockfishing out of Albion basically mark October and December as closed for this year. That 300 line is pretty far out there.

I loaded the boundary lines into my I Boating app and the 50 fathom line is 3.5 miles from the entrance to the Albion cove. That would be a long paddle if conditions turned bad.