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. Peak season, about 3 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in San Francisco Bay South of the Bay Bridge at 67, one of 7 California bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Peak seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Northern California
Peak season, about 3 more weeks- 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 · 7
California bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's kelp greenling score this hour.
Best window today 3-9 PM (73) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (75) · 30 named spots
Best window today 3-9 PM (71) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (73) · 159 named spots
Best window today 10 AM-12 AM (33) · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 8 AM (62) · 50 named spots
Best window today 10 AM-12 AM (30) · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 7 AM (66) · 28 named spots
Best window today 10 AM-12 AM (30) · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 8 AM (66) · 27 named spots
Best window today 10 AM-12 AM (30) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 4 PM (70) · 28 named spots
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
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with CDFW Nov 2, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.
10 per day (10 rockfish, cabezon and greenlings combined) · No minimum size limit.
Season: Apr 1 to Dec 31, 2026
Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from groundfish seasons and depth limits. RCG complex: all rockfish, cabezon, and kelp and rock greenlings combined. A descending device must be aboard when fishing from a boat. CDFW limits and seasons cover kelp and rock greenlings together.
CDFW Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations (updated June 23, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
10 per day (10 rockfish, cabezon and greenlings combined) · No minimum size limit.
Season: Apr 1 to Dec 31, 2026
Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from groundfish seasons and depth limits. RCG complex: all rockfish, cabezon, and kelp and rock greenlings combined. A descending device must be aboard when fishing from a boat. CDFW limits and seasons cover kelp and rock greenlings together.
CDFW Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations (updated June 23, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
10 per day (10 rockfish, cabezon and greenlings combined) · No minimum size limit.
Season: Apr 1 to Dec 31, 2026
Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from groundfish seasons and depth limits. All groundfish fishing is prohibited at Cordell Bank. RCG complex: all rockfish, cabezon, and kelp and rock greenlings combined. A descending device must be aboard when fishing from a boat. CDFW limits and seasons cover kelp and rock greenlings together.
CDFW Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations (updated June 23, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
10 per day (10 rockfish, cabezon and greenlings combined) · No minimum size limit.
Season: Apr 1 to Dec 31, 2026
Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from groundfish seasons and depth limits. RCG complex: all rockfish, cabezon, and kelp and rock greenlings combined. A descending device must be aboard when fishing from a boat. CDFW limits and seasons cover kelp and rock greenlings together.
CDFW Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations (updated June 23, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
No retention
Season: Oct 1 to Dec 31, 2026
Closed to boat-based anglers in all waters. Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from groundfish seasons and depth limits.
CDFW Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations (updated June 23, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026