Regulation changes.

[Ken Jones]

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has updated its California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations guide (PDF), and encourages anglers and all outdoor enthusiasts coastwide to download and review the January 22, 2025 version.

The updated guide 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:

• When filleted at sea, lingcod fillets must retain all of the skin on each fillet (not just a small patch of skin). (CCR T14 §27.65(b)(3))
• When filleted at sea, California scorpionfish (sculpin) fillets can be of any size, and must retain all of the skin on each fillet (not just a small patch of skin). (CCR T14 §27.65(b)(9))
• When filleted at sea, kelp greenling and rock greenling fillets must retain all of the skin on each fillet. (CCR T14 §27.65(b)(8))
• The minimum size limits for cabezon, California scorpionfish (sculpin), kelp greenling, and rock greenling have been eliminated. There are no minimum size limits for these species. (CCR T14 §28.28(c), §28.29(c), and §28.54(c))

 

[moonshine]

Retaining skin on filleted fish? Removal of size limits? Pshaw!

How about some real changes? Here's one, how about capital punishment for not posessing a valid fishing license? Now, that would get some spirited compliance!

I kid, of course. But there has got to be something to show the average Joe fisherman like myself that I'm getting some bang for my fishing license buck.

 

[HookedUp!]

I am curious to see how the removal of size limits for California Scorpionfish will play out this year. I am anticipating a sudden surge of sculpin being caught by party boats, and that number will gradually decrease as time goes on until the limits are reinstated. I'm not sure if that was a good idea.

 

[moonshine]

I am curious to see how the removal of size limits for California Scorpionfish will play out this year. I am anticipating a sudden surge of sculpin being caught by party boats, and that number will gradually decrease as time goes on until the limits are reinstated. I'm not sure if that was a good idea.

Yeah I'm wondering about the motive for that one.

 

[BayFisher]

What are the reasons for some of these changes? I do catch a lot of undersize cabs and greenling on the Northern Cali Coast (maybe 12-13 inches) and always thought they would be decent eating. Now I don't know if I would actually keep them though.

 

[SC McCarty]

With smaller scorpionfish, will there be anything but head and (painful) spines?

Steve