Creel Quick answer: Kelp Bass is open in the one California region where CDFW regulates it, with a 14-inch minimum. Read on September 7, 2026; seasons change in-season with days of notice.
How to identify Kelp Bass
Olive to brown with angular white blotches and spots across the back. It is the largest of the three Paralabrax basses in southern California, the other two being barred sand bass and spotted sand bass. Spawning changes the colours: females often lose their spots and go black, while males develop yellow-orange snouts and high-contrast black-and-white markings.
Also called calico bass.
Size, range and where it lives
| Size | Grows to 28.4 inches. Half of males are mature at 8.7 inches and half of females at 9.0 inches, both at about 3 years old. |
|---|---|
| Range | As far north as the Columbia River and as far south as southern Baja California, but most common south of Point Conception. Found from the surface down to 200 feet and most abundant between 9 and 70 feet. |
| Habitat | Almost every nearshore habitat in southern California: kelp forests, bays and estuaries. Eelgrass beds serve as seasonal nursery grounds for young of the year in summer and fall. |
Kelp Bass by region
| Region | Status | Bag limit | Size limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern | Open | 5 fish daily | 14-inch minimum |
Season dates
- open year-round
What it costs to get it wrong
An undersize fish or one over the bag limit runs roughly $430 to $485 in total bail as an infraction, plus a further $71 to $82 for every individual fish over the line. Charged as a misdemeanor the base part is about $958 to $1,095, with the same per-fish amount on top. The range is real: two of the assessments are set county by county.
How California fishing fines are actually calculated →
This page is a snapshot taken on September 7, 2026. Creel re-reads every CDFW regional page daily and shows current status for your region, offline. Always confirm with CDFW before fishing.