Orange County Marine Protected Areas

Recreational Use

Surf Fishing | Off Shore Fishing | Diving | Tidepooling | Weddings/Photography

Surf Fishing - Only the following fish may be taken recreationally from the Orange County State Marine Conservation Areas bordering the shore and covering the intertidal zone. (See local maps for specific depths and distances offshore) If it is not on this list, it is NOT allowed! No other fish or marine organism may be taken from the intertidal. Nothing from the tidepools can be taken or disturbed. Overall bag limit of 20 fish. Only spiny lobster may be taken commercially. For general current Fish and Game regulations go to: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/fishing.asp

Click Here to View Pictures of Fish

Lobster - Limit 7, three and one fourth inches. From the Saturday preceding the first Wednesday in October through the first Wednesday after the 15th of March.
Rockfish (family Scorpaenidae) - 10 fish total
Greenling - 1 fish, 12 inches
Lingcod - 2 fish, 24 inches
Cabezon - 1 fish, 15 inches
Yellowtail - 10 fish, 24 inches (or 5 fish less than 24)
Mackerel - no limit
Bluefin tuna - no limit
Kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass - 10 in any combination, 12 inches
Sargo - 10 fish
Croaker - 10 fish
Queenfish - no limit
Corbina - 10 fish
White seabass - 3 fish, 28 inches
Opaleye -
Halfmoon -
Surfperch (family Embiotocidae) - 5 fish
Blacksmith -
Barracuda - no limit, 28 inches
California sheephead - 5 fish, 12 inches
Bonito - 10 fish, 24 inches or 5 pounds (or 5 fish less than 24 or 5)
California halibut - 5 fish, 22 inches
Sole - no limit
Turbot - no limit
Sanddab - no limit

No take of Leopard Sharks, Stingrays, Sandcrabs, Scallops from intertidal (commonly taken). No using mussels for fishing. No spearing lobster.

Nothing may be taken from the Heisler Park State Marine Reserve.

Off Shore Fishing - Crystal Cove and Doheny State Marine Conservation Areas overlap the Irvine Coast and Doheny Beach Conservation Areas with the fishing regulations listed above. Outside the 600 feet boundaries, the following can be taken:

finfish, chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobsters, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels and marine worms except that no worms may be taken in any mussel bed unless taken incidentally to the take of mussels.

Diving - Orange County boasts some of the best diving in the world. Enjoy but make sure you employ safe diving practices and leave the habitat as you found it. What will you see? If you are spearfishing, make sure your fishing license is within 500 yards of you at all times. If possible, keep it with you or leave it on the beach.

Tidepooling - Please follow good tidepooler rules

What will you see?

Weddings/Photography - If you are planning a wedding or a professional photographer, you may need to obtain a permit prior to entering the beach/tidepool area. Please call each city's Department of Parks and Recreation prior to your activity.