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Field guide

Fish species of Los Angeles

45 fish pages covering the saltwater and freshwater species Los Angeles anglers actually catch — each with unique copy, CDFW-linked size and bag notes, and links to the waters that hold them. Regulations change; confirm with CDFW before you keep a fish.

SALTWATER

Fish of the LA coastline

Surf, harbor, kelp, and boat species from Santa Monica Bay through Catalina.

California Halibut (Paralichthys californicus)
Saltwater

California Halibut

Paralichthys californicus
22" minYear-round
Kelp Bass (Calico Bass) (Paralabrax clathratus)
Saltwater

Kelp Bass (Calico Bass)

Paralabrax clathratus
14" minYear-round, best late spring–fall
Barred Sand Bass (Paralabrax nebulifer)
Saltwater

Barred Sand Bass

Paralabrax nebulifer
14" minSummer peak
Spotted Sand Bass (Paralabrax maculatofasciatus)
Saltwater

Spotted Sand Bass

Paralabrax maculatofasciatus
14" minWarm months in bays
Yellowtail (Seriola dorsalis)
Saltwater

Yellowtail

Seriola dorsalis
24" forkYear-round; best summer–fall
White Seabass (Atractoscion nobilis)
Saltwater

White Seabass

Atractoscion nobilis
28" minYear-round; squid nights in spring
Pacific Bonito (Sarda chiliensis)
Saltwater

Pacific Bonito

Sarda chiliensis
24" fork or 5 lbSummer–fall schools
California Barracuda (Sphyraena argentea)
Saltwater

California Barracuda

Sphyraena argentea
28" minWarm water, late spring–fall
California Corbina (Menticirrhus undulatus)
Saltwater

California Corbina

Menticirrhus undulatus
No minSummer, calm surf
Yellowfin Croaker (Umbrina roncador)
Saltwater

Yellowfin Croaker

Umbrina roncador
No minSummer nights, June–September
Spotfin Croaker (Roncador stearnsii)
Saltwater

Spotfin Croaker

Roncador stearnsii
No minJuly–September surf
White Croaker (Kingfish) (Genyonemus lineatus)
Saltwater

White Croaker (Kingfish)

Genyonemus lineatus
No minYear-round on piers
Barred Surfperch (Amphistichus argenteus)
Saltwater

Barred Surfperch

Amphistichus argenteus
No minYear-round; CDFW lists Sep–May peak
Pile Perch (Rhacochilus vacca)
Saltwater

Pile Perch

Rhacochilus vacca
No minYear-round around pilings
Walleye Surfperch (Hyperprosopon argenteum)
Saltwater

Walleye Surfperch

Hyperprosopon argenteum
No minYear-round, often in large schools
Pacific Mackerel (Scomber japonicus)
Saltwater

Pacific Mackerel

Scomber japonicus
No minYear-round on piers
Queenfish (Herring) (Seriphus politus)
Saltwater

Queenfish (Herring)

Seriphus politus
No minYear-round under piers
Jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis)
Saltwater

Jacksmelt

Atherinopsis californiensis
No minYear-round, often winter–spring piers
Opaleye (Girella nigricans)
Saltwater

Opaleye

Girella nigricans
No minYear-round on rocks and kelp
Halfmoon (Catalina Blue Perch) (Medialuna californiensis)
Saltwater

Halfmoon (Catalina Blue Perch)

Medialuna californiensis
No minYear-round around kelp and rocks
California Sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher)
Saltwater

California Sheephead

Semicossyphus pulcher
12" minShore/dive year-round; boats Mar–Dec 2026
California Scorpionfish (Sculpin) (Scorpaena guttata)
Saltwater

California Scorpionfish (Sculpin)

Scorpaena guttata
No minYear-round, all depths (2026 SoCal summary)
Rockfish (SoCal hub) (Sebastes spp.)
Saltwater · Hub

Rockfish (SoCal hub)

Sebastes spp.
RCG bag 10 comboBoats Oct–Dec 2026: only seaward of 50 fathoms; shore open
Vermilion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus)
Saltwater

Vermilion Rockfish

Sebastes miniatus
No minBoats Oct–Dec 2026: only seaward of 50 fathoms; shore open
Bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis)
Saltwater

Bocaccio

Sebastes paucispinis
No minBoats Oct–Dec 2026: only seaward of 50 fathoms; shore open
Gopher Rockfish (Sebastes carnatus)
Saltwater

Gopher Rockfish

Sebastes carnatus
No minBoats: closed Oct 1–Dec 31, 2026 (nearshore); shore/divers open
Copper Rockfish (Sebastes caurinus)
Saltwater

Copper Rockfish

Sebastes caurinus
No minBoats: closed Oct 1–Dec 31, 2026 (nearshore); shore/divers open
Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus)
Saltwater

Cabezon

Scorpaenichthys marmoratus
No min (2026 table)Boats: closed Oct 1–Dec 31, 2026 (nearshore); shore/divers open
Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus)
Saltwater

Lingcod

Ophiodon elongatus
22" minBoats Oct–Dec 2026: only seaward of 50 fathoms; shore open
Ocean Whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps)
Saltwater

Ocean Whitefish

Caulolatilus princeps
No minYear-round, all depths (2026 SoCal summary)
Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata)
Saltwater

Leopard Shark

Triakis semifasciata
36" minYear-round, all depths
Bat Ray (Myliobatis californica)
Saltwater

Bat Ray

Myliobatis californica
No minYear-round in bays and surf
Shovelnose Guitarfish (Pseudobatos productus)
Saltwater

Shovelnose Guitarfish

Pseudobatos productus
No minYear-round in the surf
Common Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus)
Saltwater

Common Thresher Shark

Alopias vulpinus
No minYear-round; boat fishery
California Grunion (Leuresthes tenuis)
Saltwater

California Grunion

Leuresthes tenuis
No minOpen Jul 1, 2026–Mar 31, 2027
FRESHWATER

Fish of LA lakes and reservoirs

Stocked trout, bass, striper, cats, and urban panfish.