Species profile
California Mussel
Mytilus californianus
Identify California Mussel (Mytilus californianus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 12 jurisdictions.
At a glance
California Mussel (Mytilus californianus) is a bivalve mollusk regulated in 17 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 10 (Washington); the most generous is 300 (Federal Waters (DFO)).
Confirmed by 17,142 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, British Columbia, and Oregon the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- California Mussels can live over 20 years and grow shells up to 10 inches long.
- Dense mussel beds provide critical habitat for hundreds of other intertidal species.
- They anchor to rocks with dozens of byssal threads strong enough to resist crashing waves.
- California Mussels are a keystone species on rocky Pacific shores from Alaska to Baja California.
- Always check for red tide closures before harvesting — they accumulate toxins from harmful algae.
Where California Mussel are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for California Mussel
Background
The California mussel (Mytilus californianus) is a large edible mussel, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Mytilidae.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's California Mussel article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other clams/oysters/mussels on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is California Mussel?
California Mussel (Mytilus californianus) is a bivalve mollusk regulated in 17 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for California Mussel?
California Mussel is Mytilus californianus.
Is California Mussel regulated for fishing?
Yes — California Mussel has fishing regulations in 12 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 California Mussel?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes California Mussel 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.