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STATE

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Saltwater recreational limits, refreshed each season from the state agency.

REGULATIONS / CALIFORNIA

Lingcod regulations

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.

2026
SOURCECDFW 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
Lingcod[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 is 50-fathom offshore-only for shelf/slope rockfish and lingcod. Groundfish Exclusion Areas are closed to lingcod. Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from seasons/depths. Minimum size is 22 inches total length. · Listed season windows: Jan 1, 2026 through Mar 31, 2026 · 0 fish listed · Apr 1, 2026 through Jun 30, 2026 · 2 fish listed · Jul 1, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026 · 2 fish listed · Oct 1, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 2 fish listedListed open2 fish per person.22"OPEN
LISTED LIMIT
2 fish per person.
LISTED MIN SIZE
22 inches
LISTED SEASON WINDOWS
  • Jan 1, 2026 through Mar 31, 2026 · 0 fish listed
  • Apr 1, 2026 through Jun 30, 2026 · 2 fish listed
  • Jul 1, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026 · 2 fish listed
  • Oct 1, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 2 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 is 50-fathom offshore-only for shelf/slope rockfish and lingcod. Groundfish Exclusion Areas are closed to lingcod. Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from seasons/depths. Minimum size is 22 inches total length.
SOURCE AUTHORITY
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations, T14 CCR §28.27 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.