Regulations change, sometimes with little notice.
This page is a starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm the current rules at the official source linked on each item before you fish or harvest.
Mussels (all species) - annual statewide quarantine
- Season
- Quarantine began May 1, 2026; end date not stated in the source we checked
- Size limit
- See official source
- Daily bag limit
- See official source
- Gear restrictions
- See official source
- License requirement
- See official source
- Area restrictions
- Entire California coast, including all bays and estuaries
- MPA restrictions
- See official source
- Effective date
- 2026-05-01
- Last checked
- Source dated 2026-04-24
During the quarantine, mussels may only be harvested for use as bait, not for eating.
Official source: CDPH news release SN26-008
Bivalve shellfish (mussels, clams, scallops, oysters) - health advisories
- Season
- Advisories are issued and lifted by CDPH at any time
- Size limit
- See official source
- Daily bag limit
- See official source
- Gear restrictions
- See official source
- License requirement
- See official source
- Area restrictions
- By county. San Mateo, Marin and Sonoma had an active PSP advisory per SN26-008; current status must be checked
- MPA restrictions
- See official source
- Effective date
- See official source
- Last checked
- Source dated 2026-04-24
CDPH Biotoxin Information Line: (800) 553-4133. The interactive advisory map is the authoritative current status.
Official source: CDPH news release SN26-008 (links to the advisory map)
Ocean sport fishing (finfish, crab, abalone, invertebrates)
- Season
- See official source
- Size limit
- See official source
- Daily bag limit
- See official source
- Gear restrictions
- See official source
- License requirement
- See official source
- Area restrictions
- See official source
- MPA restrictions
- See official source
- Effective date
- See official source
- Last checked
- Not yet reviewed - verify at official source
Season, size and bag limits vary by species and change by year. Use the CDFW ocean regulations page.
Official source: CDFW Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations
Fishing license
- Season
- See official source
- Size limit
- See official source
- Daily bag limit
- See official source
- Gear restrictions
- See official source
- License requirement
- See official source
- Area restrictions
- See official source
- MPA restrictions
- See official source
- Effective date
- See official source
- Last checked
- Not yet reviewed - verify at official source
License and report-card requirements depend on age, species and where you fish.
Official source: CDFW Licensing
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) near Half Moon Bay
- Season
- See official source
- Size limit
- See official source
- Daily bag limit
- See official source
- Gear restrictions
- See official source
- License requirement
- See official source
- Area restrictions
- See official source
- MPA restrictions
- Take restrictions differ for each MPA. Check the CDFW MPA pages for boundaries and allowed activities before harvesting.
- Effective date
- See official source
- Last checked
- Not yet reviewed - verify at official source
Official source: CDFW Marine Protected Areas