Hope you got your lobster fix, because California’s spiny lobster season is coming to an end. For many Southern California anglers and divers, the close of lobster season in mid-March marks a familiar turning point on the fishing calendar, one that signals not just the end of late-night hoop net sets and bug dives, but also the gradual transition into spring fisheries and shifting regulations. While the final weeks of lobster season often inspire a last push on the water, they also serve as an important reminder that California’s fisheries are tightly managed, species by species, to balance opportunity with long-term sustainability.
The recreational fishery for California spiny lobster is open from 6:00 p.m. on September 26, 2025, through March 18, 2026, though anglers should always verify the exact closure date for the current season, as it may vary slightly from year to year. For example, the 2024/2025 season closed on March 19, 2025.
During the open season, the daily bag limit is seven lobster per person, with a minimum size of three and one-quarter inches measured along the midline of the upper body from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the carapace. A valid California fishing license and a California Department of Fish and Wildlife spiny lobster report card are required for all participants, including those under the age of 16.
As the season winds down, enforcement and compliance remain just as important as they were on opening night. Hoop nets used south of Point Arguello must be equipped with a surface buoy marked with the operator’s GO ID number, and while multiple operators may fish from the same vessel, only one GO ID number is required on each buoy. Hoop netters are limited to five nets per person and no more than ten nets per vessel, and they are required to pull and inspect their nets at least once every two hours. Divers may carry spearfishing equipment while diving for crustaceans, but that equipment may not be used to take lobster. Lobsters may be brought aboard a vessel to be measured safely, but possession limits and size requirements are strictly enforced.
The seasonal closure of spiny lobster is not arbitrary. Lobster fisheries are managed with breeding cycles, growth rates, and enforcement practicality in mind. By closing the season in spring and summer, regulators allow lobsters to reproduce, molt, and grow without harvest pressure, which helps maintain a healthy population and a high-quality fishery when the season reopens in the fall. For anglers, understanding the reason behind the closure reinforces why respecting the end date matters just as much as celebrating opening night.
As lobster season comes to a close, attention naturally shifts to what remains open and what is about to reopen. One crustacean fishery that continues uninterrupted is rock crab. The recreational fishery for all rock crab species, including red, yellow, and brown crab, is open year-round statewide. Anglers may take up to 35 crab per day, with a minimum size of four inches. While rock crab often plays second fiddle to lobster in Southern California, it provides a reliable, legal option for those still looking to pull traps or set nets after lobster season ends.
At the same time, many anglers are counting down to April 1, widely recognized as the opening day for California’s main recreational rockfish season for boat-based anglers. From January 1 through March 31, groundfish species such as rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and greenlings are closed to boat fishing. Beginning April 1, the fishery reopens in most areas, typically at all depths initially, before seasonal depth restrictions are introduced later in the summer depending on the management zone.
In the Southern Management Area, which includes waters south of Point Conception, rockfish and related species are generally open at all depths from April 1 through June 30. Because groundfish regulations are complex and vary by location, depth, and species, anglers are strongly encouraged to review the latest California Groundfish Summary before heading out.
Lingcod, a favorite among Southern California anglers, follows a similar seasonal pattern. For most of the Southern Management Area, lingcod is open to boat-based recreational fishing from April 1 through December 31 and closed from January 1 through March 31. While shore-based anglers and divers may encounter different rules in certain areas, depth and location restrictions can still apply. Lingcod regulations are part of broader groundfish management plans designed to protect spawning populations while still providing access during much of the year. As with rockfish, checking current regulations before each trip is essential.
Sheephead also deserves attention during this seasonal transition, as its rules differ depending on how it’s taken. For boat-based anglers, the sheephead fishery is closed from January 1 through the end of February and reopens on March 1, remaining open through December 31. Shore-based anglers and divers, however, may target sheephead year-round. During the open boat season, the daily bag limit is typically two fish with a 12-inch minimum size requirement. These distinctions often catch anglers off guard, particularly those who switch between diving, shore fishing, and boat fishing, making it critical to understand which rules apply to each method.
While some seasons close and reopen, a few popular fisheries remain accessible throughout the year. California halibut is one of the most consistent targets for both boat and shore anglers. The halibut season is open year-round in state waters out to three miles, with no seasonal closure similar to groundfish species. This accessibility makes halibut a go-to option during regulatory gaps in other fisheries. Current regulations typically allow two halibut per person per day with a minimum size of 22 inches total length, though anglers should always verify the most recent limits before fishing.
Bass fisheries also remain open year-round, offering additional continuity for Southern California anglers. Kelp bass, barred sand bass, and spotted sand bass may be taken throughout the year, with a combined daily bag and possession limit of five fish in any combination, except no more than four barred sand bass. The minimum size limit is 14 inches total length, or 10 inches alternate length. These species provide steady opportunities from kelp lines to sandy structure and are often a reliable fallback when other seasons are closed.
White seabass, another highly prized species, is also open year-round, though it carries important regional restrictions. The daily bag limit is three fish, except in waters south of Point Conception between March 15 and June 15, when only one fish may be taken per day. The minimum size limit is 28 inches total length or 20 inches alternate length. These seasonal bag limit adjustments are designed to protect spawning aggregations while still allowing some access during peak movement periods.
California grunion adds yet another layer to the seasonal calendar. The recreational grunion fishery is open from July 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, with a bag limit of 30 fish. Grunion may only be taken by hand, and no holes may be dug in the beach to trap them. Their unique spawning runs, tied closely to lunar cycles, make grunion fishing a distinctly different experience, one that blends regulation, biology, and timing in a way few other fisheries do.
Just as important as knowing what is open is remembering which species remain closed at all times. Ocean salmon is currently closed statewide, with 2026 season dates expected to be announced in April following federal and state review of spawning escapement data and abundance forecasts. Giant sea bass remains closed to recreational fishing year-round, reflecting ongoing conservation efforts for a species that was once heavily overfished. Abalone, particularly red abalone, is also closed year-round south of the mouth of San Francisco Bay, and no species of abalone may be taken at any time in Southern California.
As lobster season comes to an end, the broader lesson for anglers is not simply that one opportunity is closing, but that California’s fisheries operate as a carefully timed system. Each closure, reopening, bag limit, and size restriction plays a role in sustaining fish populations while still allowing anglers meaningful access throughout the year. Understanding those transitions is part of being a responsible angler, just as important as knowing how to rig a net, tie a knot, or read a tide chart.
The close of spiny lobster season may feel like a loss, but it also opens the door to spring fisheries, shifting strategies, and new opportunities on the water. Whether you are counting the days to the rockfish opener, targeting halibut on sandy flats, or enjoying bass and crab fisheries that remain open year-round, staying informed ensures that each trip is both productive and compliant. In California, knowing the seasons is not just about catching fish, it’s about protecting the resource so those seasons continue for years to come.
For more on season closures and California state fishing regulations, please visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/.
P.S. Always remember to double-check that your fishing license and any required report cards are valid and onboard before you fish. It’s an easy step that helps keep your day on the water focused on fun, not fines.
