Kelp Greenling

Oceans & Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean — from the Aleutian Islands south to Southern California. Most common from Oregon south to Southern California in shallow rocky reefs, kelp beds, and rocky shorelines in 5–150 feet. A common catch for kelp bed anglers and rocky shore fishermen throughout California.

Preferred Water Temperature: 48°F–60°F. A cool-water Pacific species closely associated with kelp forest environments. Males and females have dramatically different coloring — males are brown with blue spots; females are tawny with red-brown spots.

Size & Weight: Typically 1–3 lbs and 12–18 inches. Maximum approximately 5 lbs. World record: 3 lbs 12 oz. The most colorful of the California kelp bed fish. Outstanding eating — delicate, sweet white meat.

Best Lures: Small jigs and swimbaits near rocky bottom produce consistent results. Soft plastic shrimp imitations work well. Small tube jigs produce catches from kelp beds.

Best Baits: Fresh squid is the top bait. Fresh anchovy pieces work very well. Fresh shrimp produce strikes. Pile worms are excellent. Small pieces of any fresh fish catch Kelp Greenling consistently from rocky reefs and kelp beds.

Eastern Pacific Ocean — from the Aleutian Islands south to Southern California. Most common from Oregon south to Southern California in shallow rocky reefs, kelp beds, and rocky shorelines in 5–150 feet. A common catch for kelp bed anglers and rocky shore fishermen throughout California.

48°F–60°F. A cool-water Pacific species closely associated with kelp forest environments. Males and females have dramatically different coloring — males are brown with blue spots; females are tawny with red-brown spots.

Best Lures: Small jigs and swimbaits near rocky bottom produce consistent results. Soft plastic shrimp imitations work well. Small tube jigs produce catches from kelp beds. Best Baits: Fresh squid is the top bait. Fresh anchovy pieces work very well. Fresh shrimp produce strikes. Pile worms are excellent. Small pieces of any fresh fish catch Kelp Greenling consistently from rocky reefs and kelp beds.

Typically 1–3 lbs and 12–18 inches. Maximum approximately 5 lbs. World record: 3 lbs 12 oz. The most colorful of the California kelp bed fish. Outstanding eating — delicate, sweet white meat.

1 official record on file for Kelp Greenling