Groundfish Central: Recreational Groundfish Regulations

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California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations presented in several formats, intended for ease of use and understanding.

• September 2008 In-Season Groundfish Regulation Changes: Frequently Asked Questions
  Requires Adobe Reader, File Size 64 KB
• Summary of 2008 Recreational Bottomfishing Regulations
  These tables summarize the current recreational groundfish regulations.
• May 2008 In-Season Groundfish Regulation Changes: Frequently Asked Questions
  Requires Adobe Reader, File Size 38 KB
• 2008-2009 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations
  This is the PDF version of the regulations booklet that will be printed and distributed in February, 2008. For current information, visit the Web pages listed below or call your local DFG office.
• California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Map
  Click the portion of the California coast where you plan to fish, and you will access a printer-friendly summary of current Sport Fishing Regulations for that area.
• In-season Recreational Regulations Changes Web Page
  This page contains information about unscheduled, in-season regulation changes for recreational and commercial ocean fishing in 2008. The Department is required to notify the public of these in-season regulation changes at least 10 days before the new regulations becomes effective, via news release.
• Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Oct 1, 2007 Recreational Inseason Groundfish Closure of the North and North-Central Management Regions
  Requires Adobe Reader, File Size 866 KB
• Groundfish Public Notices
  These public notices serve as brief inseason updates on inseason adjustments to commercial, recreational and tribal management measures.
  • 2007-2008 Public Notice (Adobe Reader required)
  • December 2006 Public Notice (Adobe Reader required)
  • October 2006 Public Notice (Adobe Reader required)
  • July 2006 Public Notice (Adobe Reader required)
  • March 2006 Public Notice (Adobe Reader required)
• Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Hotline: (831) 649-2801
  A menu-based telephone service providing the most current recreational bottomfishing regulations, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• California Recreational Regulations History from 2000-2009
  Requires Adobe Reader, File Size 469 KB
• California Recreational Groundfish Gear, Bag Limit and Size Limit Regulations from 2000-2009
  Requires Adobe Reader, File Size 22 KB
• New and Proposed Regulations
  From the California Fish and Game Commission Web page
• Federal Register
  Federal groundfish regulations
• What are "Groundfish"?
  List of species included in the Federal Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan
• Rockfish Management Categories
  For management purposes, rockfish are divided into four main categories, depending on the depth where they are most frequently encountered.