Home / Saltwater fish / Ocean Whitefish
Photo of Ocean Whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps)
Photo: CC BY 4.0 — Cayman Lanzone, Wikimedia Commons
Saltwater

Ocean Whitefish

Caulolatilus princeps

A cigar-shaped tilefish relative with a rubbery mouth. They can outnumber rockfish on a SoCal deep drift.

Size / bag
No min · bag 10 within the general 20
Season
Year-round, all depths (2026 SoCal summary)
Difficulty

Habitat around Los Angeles

Deeper reefs and the sand-rock edge, often the same numbers as a vermilion drop.

How LA anglers actually fish them

CDFW Southern summary: year-round, all depths, 10 fish within the general 20-finfish bag, no minimum size. They do not count as RCG. Squid strips on a dropper. Soft mouths — do not horse them.

Current CDFW regulations

  • Size limit: No minimum
  • Bag / possession: 10 fish within the general 20-finfish bag
  • Season: Open year-round at all depths per the 1 Sep 2026 Southern summary

Not part of the RCG complex.

CDFW Southern ocean regs — ocean whitefish →

Independent-site disclaimer: this summary is for orientation only and can change in-season. Confirm with CDFW before you keep a fish. Fish in LA is not affiliated with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Best lures & bait

  • Squid strip on a dropper loop
  • Shrimp fly

How to catch them

  • Same deep-rock drop as rockfish
  • Use a landing net; hooks pull on a swing

Shop lures & gear for Ocean Whitefish

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.