Rockfish identification tips
It's important to be able to distinguish between the most commonly encountered rockfish. Knowing what you've caught, and how many you can possess, will keep you on the right side of the regulations. Reminder: Yelloweye rockfish and quillback rockfish are prohibited at all times and in all waters.
Rockfish ID cards
The rockfish ID cards below are a useful tool to distinguish between rockfish that look similar. Visit the rockfish species page to learn more about the following species of rockfish as well as other commonly caught rockfish.
Yelloweye and vermilion rockfish
Canary and copper rockfish
China, quillback and black rockfish
Blue and deacon rockfish
Take a quiz to test your rockfish ID skills
Take the Yelloweye rockfish quiz.
Take the Recreational bottomfish species quiz.
Watch the rockfish identification video
Header photo by Bob Swingle
Check out the Latest Recreation Report
Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and see wildlife. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state.