Beginning July 1, California's sport fisheries for rockfish, cabezon, greenlings, scorpionfish (sculpin), ocean whitefish and lingcod will open for recreational anglers in nearshore waters south of Cape Mendocino. Sport fishing opportunities in northern California (north of Cape Mendocino to the Oregon border) remain open year-round.

The six-month sport fishing season will last until Dec. 31, or until annual harvest limits have been reached. Fish may only be taken in waters less than 120 feet (20 fathoms) and bag and possession limits allow for up to 10 fish in combination.

The following are the regulation details for bottomfish sport fisheries south of Cape Mendocino:

RCG Complex: Includes all species of rockfish, cabezon and greenlings as defined in Section 1.91 of the sport fishing regulations booklet; open July 1-Dec. 31; may only be taken in waters less than 120 feet; bag and possession limit is 10 fish in combination of RCG species; see sub-limits for shallow nearshore rockfish, cabezon, and greenlings.

Shallow nearshore rockfish:
As defined in Section 1.90, includes black-and-yellow, China, grass, gopher and kelp rockfishes); open July 1-Dec. 31; may only be taken in waters less than 120 feet; only two shallow nearshore rockfishes may be taken; included in the 10 fish RCG complex bag limit.

Cowcod, bocaccio, yelloweye and canary rockfishes:
NO RETENTION/NO TAKE. Lingcod: Open July 1- Dec. 31; may only be taken in less than 120 feet; two per person; 24 inches total length. California scorpionfish (sculpin): Open Jan 1-Feb. 30, July 1-Dec. 31; may only be taken in less than 120 feet, except California scorpionfish may be taken in less than 300 feet in the months of July and August and only in the area of Huntington Flats as defined in Section 27.82 (d); five per person 10 inches total length.

Ocean whitefish:
Open July 1-Dec. 31; may only be taken in less than 120 feet; 10 per person.

California sheephead: Open all year; no depth restrictions, except that California sheephead may not be taken in waters greater than 120 feet in depth inside the Cowcod Conservation Areas; five per person; 12 inches total length. * See regulations for information on gear restrictions and fillet lengths

For additional information and a clickable map of the regulations, log on to DFG's Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd.