Saltwater · Central
Yellowtail
Ocean regulations can change in-season. Confirm with the 2026 Ocean Sport Fishing Guide and CDFW before you fish.
Species group
YELLOWTAIL
Season
Open all year.
Season notes
brown yellwo
Depth limit
No depth limit
Daily bag limit
Limit: Ten fish per person
Minimum size
24 inches fork length except that: 5 fish less than 24 inches fork length may be taken or possessed.
Gear restrictions
May be taken only on hook-and-line or by hand. Any number of hooks and lines may be used
Identification
The body of the yellowtail is elongate, somewhat compressed, tapering to the sharp snout and the slender tail. The head is more or less conical. The color is olive brown to brown above, with a dark streak along the side of the body. The fins are yellowish. Yellowtail are easily distinguished from other fishes by the darker horizontal stripe along the side of the body, as well as a deeply forked yellow tail.