Bass in California — Changing regulations

[Ken Jones]

Saltwater Bass Species in California (courtesy of California Fish and Wildlife Department). Changing Regulations —

Kelp Bass aka Calico Bass​

1939 — Kelp bass, rock bass
Bag limit: 15 fish in aggregate

1949 — Kelp bass, rock bass
Bag limit: Ten fish in aggregate

1951 — Kelp bass, rock bass
Bag limit: 15 fish in aggregate, with not more than ten of any one species

Sand Bass aka Barred Sand Bass​

1953— Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass.
Cannot be sold or purchased. Minimum size limit: 26.7 cm (10.5 in) TL

1957 — Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass
Minimum size limit: 27.9 cm (11.0 in) TL

1958— Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass
Minimum size limit: 29.9 cm (11.8 in) TL

Spotted San Bass aka Bay Bass​

1959 — Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass
Minimum size limit: 30.5 cm (12.0 in) TL

1972 — Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass
Bag limit: 20 fish in aggregate, with not more than ten of any one species

1975 — Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass
Bag limit: Ten fish in aggregate, with not more than ten of any one species

2013 — Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass
Bag limit: Five fish in aggregate; Minimum size limit: 35.6 cm (14.0 in) TL

2025 — Barred sand bass
Bag limit: Four fish (this provision to sunset in June 2028, when regulations will be reassessed and may change)

 

[Fishman Fishman]

Saltwater Bass Species in California (courtesy of California Fish and Wildlife Department). Changing Regulations —

View attachment 6604

Kelp Bass aka Calico Bass​

1939 — Kelp bass, rock bass
Bag limit: 15 fish in aggregate

1949 — Kelp bass, rock bass
Bag limit: Ten fish in aggregate

1951 — Kelp bass, rock bass
Bag limit: 15 fish in aggregate, with not more than ten of any one species

View attachment 6605

Sand Bass aka Barred Sand Bass​

1953— Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass.
Cannot be sold or purchased. Minimum size limit: 26.7 cm (10.5 in) TL

1957 — Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass
Minimum size limit: 27.9 cm (11.0 in) TL

1958— Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass
Minimum size limit: 29.9 cm (11.8 in) TL

View attachment 6606

Spotted San Bass aka Bay Bass​

1959 — Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass
Minimum size limit: 30.5 cm (12.0 in) TL

1972 — Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass
Bag limit: 20 fish in aggregate, with not more than ten of any one species

1975 — Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass
Bag limit: Ten fish in aggregate, with not more than ten of any one species

2013 — Kelp bass, rock bass, barred sand bass, spotted sand bass
Bag limit: Five fish in aggregate; Minimum size limit: 35.6 cm (14.0 in) TL

2025 — Barred sand bass
Bag limit: Four fish (this provision to sunset in June 2028, when regulations will be reassessed and may change)

A nice review outlining the history of bass regulation in CA.