Quillback rockfish

Quillback rockfish have extra long, strong, and sharp dorsal fin spines. They are currently prohibited from retention.‌

A person holds a quillback rockfish out of the water. The dorsal spines are splayed making it evident where this fish's name came from

Features: Quillback rockfish are slate-brown and mottled with yellow and orange towards the head, while the rear half of their body is gray to dark brown or black. They have dark brown or black "freckles" on their head and gill cover. They have deeply incised membranes on their very long, spinous dorsal fins. Quillback rockfish can grow to be 24-inches long.‌

Habitat: They prefer rocky bottoms from the intertidal zone out to 800 feet.‌

Technique: Quillback rockfish are currently prohibited. Anglers are required to immediately descend back to depth any quillback rockfish encountered outside of the 30-fathom regulatory line and are encouraged to do so at any depth they are encountered. ‌

Angler fly fishing in a stream

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