Saltwater · San Francisco
Rockfish - Grass
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
Grass rockfish are heavy-bodied, stubby, spiny fishes. The coloring is dark green to olive green with black or gray mottling. They somewhat resemble kelp rockfish except that kelp rockfish are usually brown or gray-brown and kelp have long gill rakers, whereas grass rockfish have short gill rakers. There is also a rare light-colored variation in pigmentation that is yellowish-orange.