New California Fishing Regulations for 2024

The California Fish and Game Commission has unanimously approved changes to the groundfish fishing regulations for 2024.

These changes include adjustments to season-opening dates, fishing depths, and bag limits. The alterations aim to provide additional fishing opportunities while addressing concerns about overfished species, such as quillback rockfish.

In 2023, many groundfish seasons in California were shortened due to exceeding federal catch limits on quillback rockfish, which are now considered overfished.

The newly approved regulations aim to avoid catching quillback rockfish in their primary depth range of 20 to 50 fathoms (120 to 300 feet) off the coast of northern and central California.

One significant change is the introduction of new waypoints defining a 20-fathom boundary line, allowing fishing only shoreward of this line. This will enable the establishment of both inshore and offshore fishing areas, with different regulations governing each.

The inshore fishery will allow the retention of nearshore, shelf, and slope rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and greenling, while the offshore fishery will restrict fishing to seaward of the 50-fathom boundary line, with only shelf rockfish, slope rockfish, and lingcod permitted for retention.

Divers and shore-based anglers will continue to be exempt from boat-based season restrictions, allowing them year-round access to fishing opportunities.

New California Fishing Regulations for 2024

To enhance the survival rates of released fish suffering from barotrauma, the Commission has mandated the carrying of descending devices on vessels fishing for federal groundfish species. These devices help return fish to their original depths, significantly improving their chances of survival.

Furthermore, the regulations include a division of the central Groundfish Management Area (GMA) at 36º N. latitude to provide additional fishing opportunities in areas historically less affected by overfished species.

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To protect vermilion rockfish, which have also exceeded allowable harvest limits, the sub-limit within the Rockfish, Cabezon, and Greenling complex will be reduced to two fish in certain areas.

All recreational GMAs in California are scheduled for six months of fishing opportunity in 2024, with specific season openings and limits varying by region.

The new regulations are expected to take effect in early April pending approval by the Office of Administrative Law. Anglers are advised to check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website for updated regulations before planning any fishing trips.