Species guide · California

Kelp greenling fishing in California

Hexagrammos decagrammus, a nearshore species also called greenling, sea trout and rock trout. Listed for the Northern California region. Shoulder season, about 1 more week.

Right now it scores best in Humboldt Bay at 60, one of 3 California bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Shoulder season

Where it's scoring now All California waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

Northern California

Shoulder season, about 1 more week

Jan: Off season
Feb: Off season
Mar: Off season
Apr: Shoulder season
May: Shoulder season
Jun: Shoulder season
Jul: Shoulder season
Aug: Shoulder season
Sep: Shoulder season
Oct: Peak season
Nov: Peak season
Dec: Shoulder season

Peak: Oct to Nov. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Dec.

Research notes, Northern California region

More common from central California north. Greenling fall under the RCG complex: 2026 boat season closed Jan 1 to Mar 31, shore anglers and divers exempt.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 3

California bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's kelp greenling score this hour.

60Good

Humboldt Bay

Best window today 4-8 PM (69) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (70) · 28 named spots

57Good

Humboldt Bay Bar

Best window today 4-8 PM (65) · Best day Tue, Sep 29 at 9 AM (69)

54Good

San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay, the West Delta and the San Francisco Bay north of the Bay Bridge

Best window today 5-9 PM (64) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 9 AM (66) · 159 named spots

Not scored in this forecast: Coastal waters from Cape Mendocino to Pt. Arena CA out 10 nm, Coastal Waters from Point Arena to Point Reyes California out to 10 nm, Monterey Bay and San Francisco Bay South of the Bay Bridge.

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 44°F to 62°F, best between 48°F and 56°F.
Water depth: 3 to 80 ft of water.
Structure: Kelp, jetty, reef, point and estuary, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers incoming tide and high tide, with light current.Jetty and rocky-shore anglers generally do best as the incoming tide floods the rocks. Tide guidance is guide consensus; ODFW's species sheet only advises starting in the morning and fishing rocky reef areas.
Light: Some lift around dawn and dusk.
Pressure: Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits: 18 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Kelp greenling are solitary bottom fish of rocky shores, jetties and kelp beds, usually in water shallower than 60 feet. Use a small number 4 to 6 hook with sand shrimp or marine worms, or a small lead-head grub, dropped to the bottom and reeled up slightly. Larger fish show in October and November when they spawn close to shore, and mornings tend to fish best.

Methods: bottom fishing from jetties and rocky shore, light jigging, kayak fishing, fly fishing
Lures: small lead-head jigs with grubs, small swimbaits, shrimp flies
Bait: sand shrimp, marine worms, mussels, clam necks, squid

Regulations

CDFW saltwater regulations Buy a California fishing license License types

California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with CDFW Sep 18, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.

Northern Management AreaRetention open