The regulations that define allowable fishing depths can be confusing for anglers, because they are written differently depending on the RCA. Depth restrictions vary by management area, depending on which species are in need of protection. The RCAs were established to help protect and rebuild overfished stocks, by prohibiting groundfish fishing in places where these stocks are most frequently encountered.

Since 2002, Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) have been used to close waters of certain depths to fishing for groundfish. We hope the explanation provided here will enable all California sportsmen and women to understand and follow the depth limit regulations. With the regulation changes have come questions from the public asking for clarification regarding how depths are defined. These changes provide more opportunity than before, opening areas that have been closed for many years. New recreational groundfish regulations went into effect in 2017, including changes to depth limits in some areas of the state.

California Groundfish Management Areas map by CDFW Marine Region GIS Lab

Fishing planet california map depth