Earlier this year, the California Fish and Game Commission adopted regulatory changes to increase the length of the seasonal closure and create a bag and possession limit for grunion, an iconic species found in California and Baja California.

Effective June 1, 2022, the new regulations add June to the seasonal no-take closure for grunion, which now extends from April 1 through June 30. Additionally, a bag and possession limit of 30 grunion was created.

The main goal of the proposed amendments is to protect the existing population of grunion while allowing for a sustainable and satisfying recreational experience. Increasing the seasonal closure to include June will allow grunion more opportunities to spawn without being subject to recreational harvest. Additionally, the new bag and possession limit will ensure sustainable take of the species while allowing more grunion to remain in the population to spawn. These new changes were designed to help ensure a sustainable fishery and provide positive impacts to the California marine ecosystem, since grunion are a key prey item for a variety of marine species.

California grunion facts, a schedule of expected runs and current regulations can be found on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s grunion web page. During the open season, a California fishing license is required for persons 16 years and older, and grunion may be taken by hand only. No appliances of any kind may be used to take grunion, and no holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them.