Get Hooked on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Website!

CDFW Marine Region home page

For the latest information on fishing regulations and news affecting California’s ocean resources, your first stop should be the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW’s) Marine Region. This comprehensive information source includes hundreds of ocean-related web pages and documents readily available to the public.

If you are new to this website, we invite you to explore the valuable resources we have created. For those who have already visited the site, be sure to check back regularly, since new features

Griddy in the Moonlight: 2024 Schedule of Expected California Grunion Runs Now Available

As waves recede, grunion stay on the wet sand to reproduce. photo by heather, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Grunion runs are one of California’s most spectacular natural phenomena. If you explained what happens during a grunion run to people who live outside of Southern California, they might think you’re joking. Thousands of fish ride the waves ashore, to lay eggs on the beach in the middle of the night? Sounds like a tall tale! But it’s undeniably true. By accurately charting the moon and tidal cycles, you can figure out when this natural phenomenon occurs and witness it for yourself (or you can use our handy grunion run prediction table instead).

When the Fish Come to You – California Grunion Runs Start Soon

Grunion run on a moonlit beach. photo by D. Alps, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

The grunion are coming! These iconic California fish are known for their amazing late-night mating ritual on the sands of Southern California beaches. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s 2023 schedule of expected California grunion runs is now available online.

Grunion are unique in that they leave the ocean and spawn on the beach each spring and summer. This occurs as the nights’ high tides fall following the full and new moons.

Please note that if you plan to take grunion, new regulations went into effect Jun. 1, 2022.

New Recreational Grunion Regulations Starting June 1

Grunion run. CDFW photo

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife would like to inform all who fish for or collect California grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) that the California Fish and Game Commission has recently adopted new grunion sport fishing regulations.

2021 Schedule of Expected California Grunion Runs Available, Input on Grunion Fishing Sought

Southern California grunion run
photo by K. Walker

The 2021 schedule of expected California grunion runs is now available on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website. If attending a grunion run, please follow current Covid-19 health guidelines and check with city or county authorities for information about potential beach closures.