White Seabass

White seabass is a large member of the croaker family found along the southern West Coast from Point Conception (Santa Barbara County, California) to Baja California. During early life, white seabass occupy shallow areas outside the surf zone until they move into protected bays, kelp beds, and eventually open oceans. Adults weigh up to 80 pounds and may reach four feet long, though on average commercially caught fish weigh between 20 and 40 pounds. White seabass reproduce annually between April and August. Adults feed on several schooling fish such as sardines, anchovies and mackerel. Natural predators of white seabass include sharks, marine mammals and large fish. 

Overall availability

White seabass is available during the summer throughout California. It is typically sold fresh or frozen.

Management

White seabass is fished using set and drift gillnet gear and hook and line/longline gear. The fishery is managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife through the White Seabass Fishery Management Plan.