Saltwater · Central
Perch - Barred Surfperch (Un-Barred)
Ocean regulations can change in-season. Confirm with the 2026 Ocean Sport Fishing Guide and CDFW before you fish.
Species group
PERCH
Season
Open all year, except surfperch may not be taken or possessed by a person in San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay between April 1 and July 31
Depth limit
No Depth Limit
Daily bag limit
(1) In San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay,the aggregate limit is 5 surfperch, not including shiner surfperch. For all other areas, the aggregate limit is 20 surf- perch, not including shiner surfperch. Not more than 10 surfperch may be of any one species.(2) the special limit for shiner surfperch is 20, which may be taken or possessed in addition to the overall daily bag limit of 20 fish specified in sub-section 27.60(a).
Minimum size
No Size Limit
Gear restrictions
may be taken only on hook-and-line or by hand. Any number of hooks and lines
Identification
The body of the barred surfperch is oval and compressed. The head is blunt and the mouth is comparatively large. The color is olive green to yellow green on the back becoming silver below; with bronze, brassy or yellow vertical bars and spots on the side. This surfperch is one of three living off sandy beaches with similar color markings; however, it can be distinguished from the other two (calico and redtail) by its lower jaw being slightly shorter than the upper, and by the absence of red or reddish color on its fins.