Species profile
Yelloweye Rockfish
Sebastes ruberrimus
At a glance
Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) is a bony-fish species regulated in 6 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (Alaska); the most generous is 2 (Federal Waters (DFO)).
Confirmed by 777 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with British Columbia, Alaska, and California the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and SARA — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Yelloweye rockfish can live over 120 years, making them one of the longest-lived fish species.
- Their bright yellow eyes and deep scarlet body make them instantly recognizable underwater.
- Unlike most fish, yelloweye rockfish give birth to live larvae instead of laying eggs.
- They grow very slowly and don't reach sexual maturity until around 20 years of age.
- Adults can grow up to 36 inches long and weigh over 30 pounds.
Where Yelloweye Rockfish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Yelloweye Rockfish
Protected status
- Yelloweye rockfish.
- SARA Schedule 1 (special concern): Yelloweye Rockfish. Canadian populations — harm/harvest prohibited under SARA s.32-33.
- SARA Schedule 1 (special concern): Yelloweye Rockfish. Canadian populations — harm/harvest prohibited under SARA s.32-33.
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) is a rockfish of the genus Sebastes, and one of the biggest members of the genus. Its name derives from its coloration. It is also locally known as "red snapper", not to be confused with the warm-water species Lutjanus campechanus that formally carries the name red snapper. The yelloweye is one of the world's longest-lived fish species, and is cited to…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Yelloweye Rockfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.