Creature Feature: Albacore Tuna

Albacore tuna range worldwide in temperate seas, and may be found coastwide off California at different times of the year. It is most frequently found in the upper layers of ocean waters, but will occasionally explore deeper, colder water in search of prey.

Creature Feature: Lingcod

Two color variations of lingcod. The green variation sometimes has turquoise colored flesh, though biologists have yet to determine the cause. The blue-green tint disappears during cooking, and the fish tastes the same regardless of coloration.

Lingcod may be found statewide off California. This fish lives at or near the bottom, in a wide range of habitats including rocky areas and kelp beds, especially where there is strong tidal movement. They occur most abundantly in water shallower than 350 ft., but will often go into deeper water and have been caught as deep as 2,700 ft. off southern California.

Creature Feature: Blue Rockfish

Blue rockfish are found statewide off the California coast, especially north of Point Conception. They are most commonly caught from the surface to around 100 ft. depths, although

Creature Feature: Striped Bass

Striped bass were introduced to California in 1879, when 132 small fish from the Navesink River in New Jersey were released into San Francisco Bay near Martinez. In 1882, three hundred more fish were released into lower Suisun Bay. By 1892 a flourishing commercial fishery had developed, which was closed in 1935 in an effort to build a robust sport fishery.

Creature Feature: Red Rock Crab

Note: In November, 2015 the recreational and commercial rock crab fisheries were closed due to high levels of domoic acid, a naturally occurring biotoxin, in crab viscera and meat. For the latest information about harmful algal blooms and any crab season closures, visit the CDFW website.

The red rock crab may be found statewide in shallow coastal areas and in bays, on rocky or reef-type habitat.  They  range from the intertidal zone to depths of 300 ft. or more.