California regulations
Yellowtail Regulations in California 2026
California yellowtail regulations in 2026: 24 inches fork length min size, 10 fish bag limit. Zone-specific exceptions may apply — see the rule table below. Sourced from CDFW.
Rules (7)
- Daily bag
- 10 fish
- Min size
- 24 inches fork length
- Min size
- 24"
- Status
- Open
- Possession
- 10 fish
Other California fish regulations
Other regulated species in California with current rule pages — same CDFW source, same verification cadence.
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)850 rules
- Salmon (Chinook, Coho, Pink)204 rules
- Steelhead148 rules
- Dungeness Crab55 rules
- Stripers (Striped Bass)35 rules
- White Seabass33 rules
- California Halibut24 rules
- White Sturgeon18 rules
- Spiny Lobster16 rules
- Rockfish15 rules
- Lingcod11 rules
- Smallmouth Bass5 rules
- Largemouth Bass2 rules
Also known as
Yellowtail is also called California Yellowtail, california yellowtail. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in California.
Frequently asked questions
When is Yellowtail season in California?
Yellowtail season in California is set by CDFW. Some zones may have specific open windows; see the rule table above.
What is the size limit for Yellowtail in California?
Minimum size for Yellowtail in California is 24 inches in Ocean, per CDFW. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Yellowtail in California?
Daily bag limit for Yellowtail in California is 10 fish/day in Southern, per CDFW.
Official sources cited
- https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Fishing-Map/Southern
- https://wildlife.ca.gov
- https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=239985&inline