A small, handsome nearshore rockfish: flesh-pink and brown mottling, a black patch on the back. The one kayak anglers pin on the PV kelp.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Shallow rocky reefs and kelp, often 20–80 ft — Palos Verdes (outside MPAs) and Catalina nearshore rock.
Nearshore rockfish group, counts in the 10 RCG, no size minimum, no extra sub-limit. Point Vicente is no-take — do not drift into it. Boat-based nearshore rules can still close when the Southern table says so, even in shallow water.
Gopher rockfish (Sebastes carnatus) are brown to olive with pale, irregular blotches and a stout, spiny body. Black-and-yellow rockfish are close relatives with yellow blotches on a black background.
Gophers live in shallow rocky reefs and kelp, generally in shallower water than shelf species such as vermilion. Palos Verdes, Malibu and Catalina reefs hold them, as do some breakwaters and jetties.
Gopher rockfish are a nearshore species. CDFW's 2026 Southern Management Area table for boat-based anglers: closed January through March; open at all depths April through June; open only shoreward of 50 fathoms July through September; and from October 1 through December 31, nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenlings are closed while shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod may be taken only seaward of 50 fathoms. Shore-based anglers and divers are not bound by these seasons and depth limits.
So in October through December 2026, boat anglers may not keep gophers; shore anglers and divers still can.
OEHHA's LA coastal advisories list rockfish at 1 serving a week for women 18–49 and children and 2 for others. OEHHA's statewide coastal advisory, which applies at Catalina, is stricter for gopher rockfish: 0 servings for women 18–49 and children, and 1 serving a week for women 50+ and men.
Gopher rockfish count in the 10-fish RCG bag, with no separate sub-limit and no minimum size. Two hooks and one line when angling.
Point Vicente SMCA (no-take) sits on the same peninsula as productive gopher water.
CDFW groundfish summary — nearshore rockfish →
Independent-site disclaimer: this summary is for orientation only and can change in-season. Confirm with CDFW before you keep a fish. Fish in LA is not affiliated with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Not for boat anglers; nearshore rockfish are closed to boats October 1–December 31. Shore anglers and divers may keep them.
They count in the 10-fish RCG bag with no separate sub-limit.
OEHHA's statewide coastal advisory says women 18–49 and children should not eat them, and others should limit to 1 serving a week.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.
