BY DAVE HURLEY
BERKELEY – August 2023 was the start of two challenging years for recreational party boat operations who were limited to either less than 20 fathoms or greater than 50 fathoms due to the calculation that quillback rockfish were overharvested based upon data extrapolated from Washington and Oregon. The restrictions put intense pressure on shallow water locations such as the Marin coastline along with forcing captains to reschedule trips due to inclement weather during the deep-water windows.
A press release from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stated, “In response to new scientific information on quillback rockfish populations off California, the California Fish and Game Commission took emergency action on Aug. 14 to restore access to fishing depths in state waters that have been closed to protect quillback rockfish since 2023. The new state regulations went into effect on Aug. 28, 2025. In state waters between the Oregon/California border and Point Conception (34° 27’ N. Lat.), fishing for rockfish, cabezon, and greenling (RCG Complex) and lingcod is now open in all depths. The National Marine Fisheries Service is working to implement similar all-depth fishing regulations for federal waters; however, they are not expected to take effect until mid-September. As a result, federal waters will remain closed to RCG Complex and lingcod fishing north of 36° N. Lat. (near Lopez Point) until federal regulations are in effect. From Lopez Point to Point Conception, federal waters will remain closed for RCG Complex and lingcod fishing seaward of the 50 fathom Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line.”
A weather window allowing boats to head to the newly-opened grounds at the Farallon Islands occurred on September 3, and Captain James Smith of the California Dawn 2 from Berkeley took a group of rapid swimbait anglers on a Phenix Rods charter, saying, “The Farallon Islands have been closed for the past 3 years, and the fishing was nothing short of incredible. Lingcod were full speed on the swimbaits and sand dabs, and we returned with 28 limits of lingcod to 20 pounds, 32 limits of rockfish including crew, and 280 sand dabs. After the four-day salmon season, we will be targeting rockfish at the Farallons for the next months.”
Captain Rick Powers of Bodega Bay Sport Fishing added, “We are really hoping that the public is aware of the new regulations with the strong possibility of federal waters being opened as well in the next few weeks. This change provides so many more opportunities to fish on grounds that haven’t been touched in two years.”
One major advantage for party and private boats will be during the Dungeness crab season, and although crabbing will most likely be restricted to hoop nets at the start of the season, the ability to fish all depths on the combination trips will make a major difference in preserving shallow water populations and providing opportunity much closer to the home ports. Boats from San Francisco Bay, Half Moon Bay, and Bodega Bay had to travel more than 20 miles offshore to locate grounds over 50 fathoms.
