Species profile
Blue Rockfish
Sebastes mystinus
Identify Blue Rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 5 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Blue Rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) is a bony-fish species regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (Washington); the most generous is 10 (Alaska).
Confirmed by 793 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Oregon, and Washington the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Blue rockfish can live up to 44 years and reach about 21 inches in length.
- They form large, dense schools in the water column near rocky reefs and kelp forests.
- Their blue-gray coloring distinguishes them from similarly shaped rockfish species.
- They are one of the most commonly caught rockfish by recreational anglers in California.
- They range from Alaska to Baja California along the Pacific Coast.
Where Blue Rockfish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Blue Rockfish
Background
The blue rockfish, Sebastes mystinus, (also known as the blue seaperch) is a rockfish of the Pacific coast found from Alaska to Baja California.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Blue Rockfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Blue Rockfish?
Blue Rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) is a bony-fish species regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Blue Rockfish?
Blue Rockfish is Sebastes mystinus.
Is Blue Rockfish regulated for fishing?
Yes — Blue Rockfish has fishing regulations in 5 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Blue Rockfish?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Blue Rockfish along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.