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Catalina Island Fishing Regulations 2026

Catalina Island fishing regulations as of 2026-05-08: 43 current rules from CDFW. Anglers target yellowtail, calico bass.

CDFWVerified Official source

Rules (43)

CDFW regulates 43 rules across 11 species at this water.

Yellowtail

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"
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.

Pelagic Finfish

Blue Cavern Offshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Spearfishing
The recreational take of pelagic finfish5[subsection 632(a)(3)], by hook and line or by spearfishing [Section 1.76], is allowed
Farnsworth Onshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Spearfishing
The recreational take by spearfishing [Section 1.76] of pelagic finfish5[subsection 632(a)(3)] is allowed.
Farnsworth Offshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Spearfishing
The recreational take of pelagic finfish5[subsection 632(a)(3)] by hook and line or by spearfishing [Section 1.76] is allowed.

White Seabass

Blue Cavern Offshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Spearfishing
white seabass by spearfishing [Section 1.76] is allowed
Farnsworth Onshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Spearfishing
The recreational take by spearfishing [Section 1.76] of white seabass is allowed.
Farnsworth Offshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Spearfishing
white seabass by spearfishing [Section 1.76] is allowed.

All Species

Long Point State Marine Reserve (Catalina Island)Closed
Status
Prohibited
It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.
Blue Cavern Onshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Closed
Status
Prohibited
It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.
Casino Point State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Feeding of fish for marine life viewing is allowed.
Lover’s Cove State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Angling Only
The recreational take by hook and line from the Cabrillo Mole is allowed.
Arrow Point To Lion Head Point State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
All recreational take is allowed in accordance with current regulations

Market Squid

Blue Cavern Offshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
market squid by hand-held dip net [Section 1.42] is allowed
Farnsworth Onshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
market squid by hand-held dip net [Section 1.42] is allowed.
Farnsworth Offshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
market squid by hand-held dip net [Section 1.42] is allowed.
Cat Harbor State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Angling Only
market squid by hookand-line is allowed.

Marlin

Farnsworth Onshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Trolling
marlin by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] is allowed.
Farnsworth Offshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Trolling
marlin by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] is allowed.

Tunas

Farnsworth Onshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Trolling
tunas by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] is allowed.
Farnsworth Offshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Trolling
tunas by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] is allowed.

Finfish

Cat Harbor State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
Gear
Spearfishing
The recreational take of finfish [subsection 632(a)(2)] by hook and line or by spearfishing [Section 1.76] is allowed.

Spiny Lobster

Cat Harbor State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
spiny lobster is allowed.

Sea Urchin

Cat Harbor State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Open
Status
Permitted
sea urchin is allowed.

Invertebrates

Arrow Point To Lion Head Point State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)Closed
Status
Prohibited
the recreational take of invertebrates is prohibited.

FAQ

Who regulates fishing on Catalina Island?

CDFW regulates fishing on Catalina Island.

What species can I target on Catalina Island?

Catalina Island is best known for yellowtail, calico bass. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.

When was this last updated?

These rules were last verified against CDFW on 2026-05-08. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.

Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch. Last verified .

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