California Spiny Lobster 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.
SPECIES LINKS
FIELD GUIDE
Panulirus interruptus
speciesBASICThe California spiny lobster, reddish-brown with striped legs and enlarged antennae but no claws, found from Monterey Bay to the Gulf of Tehuantepec.
HABITAT
Among rocks at depths up to 65 m (213 ft); adults are nocturnal and migratory.
SIZE
typically 30 cm (12 in); up to 60 cm
TEXT CONDENSED FROM WIKIPEDIA, AVAILABLE UNDER CC BY-SA 4.0
California Spiny Lobster identification is educational; species identification does not establish legal applicability for California.
- LISTED SEASON WINDOWS
- Jan 1, 2026 through Mar 18, 2026 · 7 fish listed
- Oct 2, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 7 fish listed
- APPLICABILITY
- [confirmed] Official rule is from 6:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding the first Wednesday in October through the first Wednesday after the 15th of March. The booklet gives the 2025-26 dates as September 26, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. through March 18, 2026, and 2026-27 dates as October 2, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. through March 17, 2027; calendar-year 2026 windows are split above. Minimum size is 3 and 1/4 inches carapace length.
- SOURCE AUTHORITY
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet, T14 CCR §29.90 (last updated July 17, 2026)
UPDATED July 17, 2026 · CHECKED Sep 22, 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.
LAUNCH SITES
Curated launch sites in California (29)
SF Bay Area · MARINA
Northern California · MARINA
Southern California · MARINA
SF Bay Area · MARINA
Northern California · MARINA
Southern California · MARINA
Northern California · MARINA
SF Bay Area · MARINA
SF Bay Area · RAMP
Southern California · MARINA
Southern California · MARINA
Central California · MARINA
Central California · MARINA
Central California · MARINA
Southern California · MARINA
Northern California · MARINA
Southern California · MARINA
SF Bay Area · MARINA
SF Bay Area · DOCK
SF Bay Area · MARINA
Central California · MARINA
SF Bay Area · MARINA
Southern California · MARINA
SF Bay Area · MARINA
Southern California · MARINA
Central California · MARINA
SF Bay Area · RAMP
Northern California · DOCK
Southern California · MARINA
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.