Species profile
California Spiny Lobster
Panulirus interruptus
Identify California Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 10 jurisdictions.
At a glance
California Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus) is an IUCN Least Concern crustacean regulated in 12 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 2 (Hawaii); the most generous is 100 (New Hampshire).
Across 6 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 3.2 in.
Confirmed by 5,882 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in California.
Notable details
- Can live over 25 years and grow to weigh more than 20 pounds.
- Nocturnal hunters, they hide in rocky crevices during the day and emerge at night.
- The species name 'interruptus' refers to the broken white stripes on the abdomen.
- California's recreational lobster season runs from October through March.
- California requires a minimum carapace length of 3.25 inches for harvest.
Where California Spiny Lobster are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for California Spiny Lobster
Background
The California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) is a species of spiny lobster found in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Monterey Bay, California to the Gulf of Tehuantepec, Mexico. It typically grows to a length of 30 cm (12 in) and is a reddish-brown color with stripes along the legs, and has a pair of enlarged antennae but no claws. The interrupted grooves across the tail are characteristic…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's California Spiny Lobster article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other crabs/lobsters/shrimp on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is California Spiny Lobster?
California Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus) is an IUCN Least Concern crustacean regulated in 12 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for California Spiny Lobster?
California Spiny Lobster is Panulirus interruptus.
Is California Spiny Lobster regulated for fishing?
Yes — California Spiny Lobster has fishing regulations in 10 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 Spiny Lobster?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes California Spiny Lobster 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.