Saltwater · Northern
Rockfish - Shortraker
Ocean regulations can change in-season. Confirm with the 2026 Ocean Sport Fishing Guide and CDFW before you fish.
Species group
ROCKFISH
Season
Open: Apr 1–Dec 31 Closed: Jan 1–Mar 31
Season notes
Boat-based anglers. Shore anglers and spear divers are largely exempt from groundfish season/depth limits (except no-retention species). Regulations can change in-season — verify with CDFW.
Depth limit
Open at all depths during the open season (Apr 1–Dec 31). Jan 1–Mar 31: Closed — unlawful to possess in all waters (boat-based). Descending device required when taking/possessing federal groundfish from a boat. Always confirm current CDFW Groundfish Management Area rules before fishing.
Daily bag limit
10 fish in combination per person within the RCG complex (rockfish, cabezon, greenling), subject to species sub-bags (e.g. copper, vermilion/sunset, canary).
Minimum size
No minimum size limit. Fillets must have the entire skin attached.
Gear restrictions
Method of take: When angling, gear is restricted to not more than two hooks and one line. A hook is a single hook, or a double or treble hook with multiple points connected to a common shank. Descending device required aboard when taking/possessing federal groundfish.
Identification
As adults, shortraker rockfish are one of the largest rockfish species. Underwater they are light pink, pink-orange or red with blotches and saddles. All fins have some black and the dorsal fin may be white tipped. The mouth is red and may have black blotches. After capture they are orange-pink or reddish orange. Shortraker have stubby gill rakers, tipped with little nobs, and large pores on the lower jaw. This species is most often confused with rougheye rockfish. However, rougheye are distinguished by 2-10 spines below their eyes and long thin gill rakers on the first gill arch.