The big-eyed, silver perch that can load a Sabiki. Easy fishing, and a legitimate panfish if you like them fried.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Open water around piers and the outer surf line — often in huge schools under Santa Monica, Hermosa, and Belmont.
Same 20/10 surfperch bag. Schools stack under lights and around bait. A Sabiki or a tiny piece of squid two feet under a float will outfish a heavy surf rig.
Walleye surfperch (Hyperprosopon argenteum) are small, silvery, compressed perch with very large eyes and black tips on the pelvic fins. They are often confused with silver surfperch, which lack the black-tipped pelvic fins.
Walleye perch travel in schools in the water column around piers, jetties and nearshore rocks. Many LA piers, including Santa Monica, Redondo, Hermosa and Belmont, have them under the deck at various times of year.
They can be caught year-round. Schools come and go, and evenings and overcast days are often best.
Walleye perch are small but edible. OEHHA's LA coastal advisories list surfperch at up to 2 servings a week for all groups; OEHHA's statewide coastal advisory also names walleye surfperch at 2 servings a week.
Walleye surfperch count in the combined surfperch bag of 20 total, no more than 10 of one species. No minimum size. Shiner perch are separate and have their own 20-fish bag.
Shiner perch have their own 20-fish bag and do not count in this combo.
CDFW Southern ocean regs — surfperch →
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.
Walleye surfperch have black tips on the pelvic fins and very large eyes.
Small hooks with tiny bits of bait, or a sabiki rig with little weight.
Yes. They are part of the 20-fish combined surfperch bag, max 10 of one species.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.
