New recreation fishing restrictions went into effect on Saturday in waters north of Point Conception along the Oregon and California state lines.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the changes that will affect fishing depths.
The new restrictions for recreational groundfishing are:
- Northern Management Area in the Oregon-California state line to Cape Mendocino: Take is not allowed toward the sea 120 feet in depth through Dec. 31.
- Mendocino Management Area from Cape Mendocino to Point Area: Take is not allowed seaward 120 feet in depth through Dec. 31.
- San Francisco Management Area from Point Arena to Pigeon Point: Take is prohibited seaward 240 feet throughout Dec. 31.
- Central Management Area from Point Arena to Pigeon Point: Take is not allowed toward the sea 240 down until Dec. 31.
- Southern Management Area from the Point Conception to U.S/Mexico Border: Take is not allowed 360 feet down until Dec. 31.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife urges people to avoid fishing in areas where yelloweye rockfish are known to occur. These fishes were declared overfished in 2002. The fish is strictly managed by a federal rebuilding plan to let the population recover.
