REGULATIONS / CALIFORNIA
California · Curated reference from cited public sources · listings, not permission to fish or retain a catch · This selected California ocean-sport reference subset is not a complete rulebook.
2026SOURCECDFW ocean sport fishing regulations ↗UPDATED JUNE 23, 2026 · CHECKED AUG 14, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCChecked Aug 14, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCRules vary by location, method, vessel, and emergency closure.The CDFW page is an informational summary; the California Code of Regulations (Title 14) and emergency orders are authoritative. LISTINGOPENListed open
SPECIESLISTED SEASON WINDOWSJFMAMJJASONDBAGMIN SIZELISTING
Cabezon[confirmed] CDFW Groundfish Summary (updated June 23, 2026): Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, and Central Management Areas are closed Jan 1-Mar 31 and open all depths Apr 1-Dec 31. Southern Management Area is open all depths Apr 1-Jun 30; Jul 1-Sep 30 is 50-fathom (300-foot) Rockfish Conservation Area inshore-only; Oct 1-Dec 31 nearshore RCG (including cabezon) is closed. Groundfish Exclusion Areas are closed to cabezon. Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from seasons/depths. · Listed season windows: Jan 1, 2026 through Mar 31, 2026 · 0 fish listed · Apr 1, 2026 through Jun 30, 2026 · 10 fish listed · Jul 1, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026 · 10 fish listed · Oct 1, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 10 fish listedListed open10 fish within the Rockfish, Cabezon, and Greenling complex (RCG complex) limit of 10 fish per person.—OPEN - LISTED LIMIT
- 10 fish within the Rockfish, Cabezon, and Greenling complex (RCG complex) limit of 10 fish per person.
- LISTED SEASON WINDOWS
- Jan 1, 2026 through Mar 31, 2026 · 0 fish listed
- Apr 1, 2026 through Jun 30, 2026 · 10 fish listed
- Jul 1, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026 · 10 fish listed
- Oct 1, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 10 fish listed
- APPLICABILITY
- [confirmed] CDFW Groundfish Summary (updated June 23, 2026): Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, and Central Management Areas are closed Jan 1-Mar 31 and open all depths Apr 1-Dec 31. Southern Management Area is open all depths Apr 1-Jun 30; Jul 1-Sep 30 is 50-fathom (300-foot) Rockfish Conservation Area inshore-only; Oct 1-Dec 31 nearshore RCG (including cabezon) is closed. Groundfish Exclusion Areas are closed to cabezon. Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from seasons/depths.
- SOURCE AUTHORITY
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations, T14 CCR §28.28 and §§27.20, 27.25-27.50 (updated June 23, 2026)
UPDATED June 23, 2026 · CHECKED Aug 14, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC · EFFECTIVE YEAR 2026
CDFW ocean sport fishing regulations ↗The CDFW page is an informational summary; the California Code of Regulations (Title 14) and emergency orders are authoritative.
This reference does not grant permission to fish or retain a catch. Location, method, vessel, species identification, and emergency closures can change what applies. Verify the applicable official rules.