Yelloweye Rockfish
Sebastes ruberrimus
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC License
Frequently Asked Questions About Yelloweye Rockfish
How do I identify a yelloweye rockfish?
Yelloweye rockfish are a brilliant orange-red to orange-yellow fish with vivid yellow eyes - their most distinctive feature. Juveniles have two whitish stripes along the sides that fade with age. They're large (up to 36 inches, 33 lbs) and found only in deep water, usually below 180 feet.
How long do yelloweye rockfish live?
Yelloweye rockfish are one of the longest-lived vertebrates known to science - some individuals have been documented at 150 years old through otolith ring counting. Their extraordinary longevity makes them extremely vulnerable to fishing pressure since populations recover very slowly.
What are the regulations for yelloweye rockfish in California?
Yelloweye rockfish count toward California's 10-fish aggregate rockfish daily bag limit. However, they are subject to special depth zone restrictions (Rockfish Conservation Areas) that may close the deep water where they live. Always verify current RCA boundaries and depth closures at wildlife.ca.gov before fishing.
Where are yelloweye rockfish found in NorCal?
Yelloweye rockfish inhabit deep rocky reefs at 180–1,800 feet, with most recreational catches in 200–500 feet. They occur off Bodega Bay, the Mendocino Coast, and offshore rocky pinnacles throughout NorCal. Their deep habitat makes them largely inaccessible to kayak anglers but reachable by boat with deep-drop rigs.
What should I do if I catch a yelloweye rockfish with barotrauma?
Immediately use a descending device to return the fish to the depth where it was caught. Yelloweye suffer severe decompression damage when brought up from deep water. Signs of barotrauma include a bloated stomach, distended eyes, and inability to submerge. Do not attempt to release a barotrauma fish without descending it.
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