Saltwater · Southern
Cabezon
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
Southern Management Area (Point Conception to U.S.–Mexico border): Apr 1–Jun 30: Open all depths Jul 1–Sep 30: Take prohibited seaward of the 50-fathom (300 ft) RCA line (inshore only) Oct 1–Dec 31: Nearshore rockfish/cabezon/greenling closed; shelf & slope rockfish and lingcod — take prohibited shoreward of the 50-fathom RCA line (offshore only) Jan 1–Mar 31: Closed Descending device required when taking/possessing federal groundfish from a boat.
Daily bag limit
Counts within the 10-fish RCG complex bag (rockfish, cabezon, greenling).
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
The body of a cabezon is olive green, brown, reddish or grey on the dorsal side with a white or greenish belly. They have two fins on the back and 5 soft rays on the pelvic fins. They lack scales and have a fleshy skin flap between their nostrils. The upper preopercular spine is stout and slightly curved. Cabezon have small teeth and a large, branched cirrus above each eye. Cabezon is the largest of the sculpin species found in California coastal waters.