Oregon Border to the 40°10' Line

• Most fish in this area are open to shore-based anglers year-round, with the noted exception of ocean salmon (in season from May 29 to Sept. 6), Pacific halibut (in season from May 1 to Oct. 31), red abalone (April 1 to June 30 and Aug. 1 to Nov. 30), and Dungeness crab (Nov. 7 to July 30). Green sturgeon and white sharks may not be taken at any time of year.
  
  

North-Central Management Area: The 40°10' Line to Point Arena

• The regulations in this area are very similar to those in the Northern Management Area, with the exception of ocean salmon, which may be taken a month earlier here (starting on May 1). For boat-based anglers, the open season for most fish is from May 15 to Sept. 15.
  
  

North-Central Management Area: Point Arena to Pigeon Point

• If you are fishing in the San Francisco Bay or the San Pablo Bay, be aware that surfperch cannot be taken from the habitat from April 1 until Aug. 1. Also, the open fishing season for boat-based anglers goes from June 13 until Oct. 31. From this district all the way to the Mexican border, ocean salmon may only be taken between Thursdays and Mondays. Red abalone is also closed for fishing year-round south of the San Francisco Bay. Green sturgeon and white sharks may not be taken.
  
  

Monterey South-Central Management Area: Pigeon Point to the 36°00' Line (near Lopez Point)

• This area is similar to the North-Central Management Area from Point Arena to Pigeon Point. The only major difference is that the open season for most fish goes from May 1 until Nov. 15.
  
  

Morro Bay South-Central Management Area: The 36°00' Line (near Lopez Point) to Point Conception

• In this area, species such as the California sheephead and the California scorpionfish begin to pop up. Both of these fish are open year-round to shore-based anglers and from May 1 to Nov. 1 for boat-based anglers. All other fish follow the rules set forth in the areas around the San Francisco Bay.
  
  

Southern Management Area: Point Conception to the Mexico Border

• The open season for most fish in this region is from March 1 until Dec. 31. Unlike the other areas, no distinction is made here between boat-based and shore-based anglers. The only exception to this rule is for the leopard shark, which has some specific shore-based or boat-based rules in the San Diego area. Giant sea bass are closed year-round to fishing everywhere. California grunion season is closed for fishing from April to May. Spiny Lobster season is closed from March 18 until Oct. 2.