California regulations
Yellowtail Regulations in California 2026
California Yellowtail regulations as of 2026-05-08: Min size 24 inches; Possession 10 fish; Status Open. Sourced from CDFW.
Rules (7)
California statewide
- Daily bag
- 10 fish
- Min size
- 24 inches fork length
Five fish less than twenty-four inches fork length may be taken or possessed.
Ocean
- Min size
- 24"
Twenty-four inches fork length except that: Five fish less than twenty-four inches fork length
Point Conception To U.s.-Mexico BorderOpen
- Status
- Open
- Possession
- 10 fish
open year-round
Southern
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Min size
- 24"
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
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with CDFW before keeping a catch. Last verified .