Expected California Grunion Runs 2019

You must have a fishing license to catch grunion. You can't just go up to the beach and begin picking them up or touching them without a license. California grunion are similar fish to smelt. People catch them with their bare hands only and aren't allowed to dig holes to catch them. The grunion runs are when the fish spawn on the beach and are timed with the tides. Grunion are somewhat hearty but like other fish, are susceptible to pollution and human activities. Grunion Greeters are trained volunteers who stand on the beach during the first few months of the run season, observing the fish activities and recording them for NOAA records and the Grunion Greeter science project.

2019 Grunion Run Schedule

MARCH

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
					1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31

March 6, 2019, 9:40-11:40 p.m.
March 7, 2019, 10 p.m.-12 a.m. (midnight)
March 8, 2019, 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
March 9, 2019, 10:55 p.m.-12:55 a.m.
March 21, 2019, 10:45 p.m.-12:45 a.m.
March 22, 2019, 11:20 p.m.-1:20 a.m.
March 23, 2019, 11:55 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
March 24, 2019, 12:40 p.m.-2:40 a.m.*
 

APRIL (observation only)
April 5, 2019, 10:20 p.m.-12:20 a.m.
April 6, 2019, 10:40 p.m.-12:40 a.m.
April 7, 2019, 11:10 p.m.-1:10 a.m.
April 8, 2019, 11:40 p.m.-1:40 a.m.
April 19, 2019, 10:10 p.m.-12:10 a.m.
April 20, 2019, 10:40 p.m.-12:40 a.m.
April 21, 2019, 11:15 p.m.-1:15 a.m.
April 22, 2019, 11:50 p.m.-1:50 a.m.

MAY (observation only)
May 4, 2019, 9:40-11:40 p.m.
May 5, 2019, 10:10 p.m.-12:10 a.m.
May 6, 2019, 10:40 p.m.-12:40 a.m.
May 7, 2019, 11:15 p.m.-1:15 a.m.
May 18, 2019, 9:35-11:35 p.m.
May 19, 2019, 10:10 p.m.-12:10 a.m.
May 20, 2019, 10:45 p.m.-12:45 a.m.
May 21, 2019, 11:20 p.m.-1:20 a.m.
 

JUNE

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
						1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	31

June 3, 2019, 9:45-11:45 p.m.
June 4, 2019, 10:20 p.m.-12:20 a.m.
June 5, 2019, 11:05 p.m.-1:05 a.m.
June 6, 2019, 11:55 p.m.-1:55 a.m.
June 17, 2019, 9:50-11:50 p.m.
June 18, 2019, 10:20 p.m.-12:20 a.m.
June 19, 2019, 11 p.m.-1 a.m.
June 20, 2019, 11:35 p.m.-1:35 a.m.
 

JULY

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

July 2, 2019, 9:30-11:30 p.m.
July 3, 2019, 10:15 p.m.-12:15 a.m.
July 4, 2019, 11 p.m.-1 a.m.
July 5, 2019, 11:50 p.m.-1:50 a.m.
July 16, 2019, 9:35-11:35 p.m.
July 17, 2019, 10:10 p.m.-12:10 a.m.
July 18, 2019, 10:40 p.m.-12:40 a.m.
July 19, 2019, 11:15 p.m.-1:15 a.m.
 

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30	31
9/1

August 1, 2019, 10:05 p.m.-12:05 a.m.
August 2, 2019, 10:50 p.m.-12:50 a.m.
August 3, 2019, 11:45 p.m.-1:45 a.m.
August 4, 2019, 12:40 a.m.-2:40 a.m.*
August 15, 2019, 9:55 p.m.-11:55 p.m.
August 16, 2019, 10:25 p.m.-12:25 a.m.
August 17, 2019, 10:55 p.m.-12:55 a.m.
August 30, 2019, 9:55-11:55 p.m.
August 31, 2019, 10:45 p.m.-12:45 a.m.
September 1, 2019, 11:35 p.m.-1:35 a.m.

* Where the run starts after midnight, the date of the previous evening is shown.
 

* Where the forecast run starts at or after midnight, the date of the previous evening is shown.

The times given for each date reflect the probable two-hour interval during which a spawning run may occur. The second hour is usually better. The best runs normally occur on the second and third nights of a four-night period. While grunion spawn on many beaches in southern California, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife does not recommend any particular beach because of changing safety conditions and local curfews. One of the best ways to find out which beaches have had recent runs is to call the state and county beach lifeguards who can often tell if spawning has taken place. There is a grunion program offered to the public at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro on several nights of the season. Call (310) 548-7562 for details.

The times given for each date reflect the probable two-hour interval during which a spawning run may occur. The second hour is usually better. The best runs normally occur on the second and third nights of a four-night period. This schedule predicts grunion runs at Cabrillo Beach near the Los Angeles Harbor entrance. The timing of the runs varies at different places along the coast: San Diego runs occur about 5 minutes earlier and Santa Barbara runs occur about 25 minutes later than the times provided here. REMINDER: During the open season, a California fishing license is required for persons 16 years and older. Grunion may be taken by hand only. No holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them. There is no bag limit, but take only the fish you can use - it is unlawful and unethical to waste fish.

The times given are Pacific Daylight Savings Time. They refer to the grunion runs at Cabrillo Beach near the Los Angeles Harbor entrance. The timing of the runs varies at different places along the coast: San Diego runs occur about 5 minutes earlier and Santa Barbara runs occur about 25 minutes later than the times provided here.

REMINDER: During the open season, a California fishing license is required for persons 16 years and older. Grunion may be taken by hand only. No holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them. There is no bag limit, but take only the fish you can use - it is unlawful and unethical to waste fish.

* Where the forecast run starts at or after midnight, the date of the previous evening is shown.

For a current schedule, send a self addressed stamped envelope to:

GRUNION
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
4665 Lampson Ave. Suite C
Los Alamitos, CA 90720 The times given for each date reflect the probable two-hour interval during which a spawning run may occur. The second hour is usually better. The best runs normally occur on the second and third nights of the four-night period.

The times refer to the grunion runs at Cabrillo Beach near the Los Angeles Harbor entrance. The timing of the runs varies at different places along the coast. San Diego runs occur about 5 minutes earlier and Santa Barbara runs occur about 25 minutes later than the times provided here.

Times through March 10 are Pacific Standard Time. Thereafter, times are Pacific Daylight Saving Time.

REMINDER: During the open season, a fishing license is required for persons 16 years and older. Grunion may be taken by hand only. No holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them. There is no bag limit, but take only what you can use - it is unlawful and unethical to waste fish.

GRUNION
California Department of Fish and Game
Marine Region
4665 Lampson Ave. Suite C
Los Alamitos, CA 90720

*Probable two-hour interval during which a spawning run may occur. The second hour is usually better. The best runs normally occur on the second and third nights of the four-night period. Where the time relating to the expected run is after midnight, the date of the previous evening is shown.

The times refer to the grunion runs at Cabrillo Beach near the Los Angeles Harbor entrance. The timing of the runs varies at different places along the coast. San Diego runs occur about 5 minutes earlier and Santa Barbara runs occur about 25 minutes later than the times provided here.

A fishing license is required for persons 16 years and older. Grunion may be taken by hand only. No holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them. There is no bag limit, but take only what you can use - it is unlawful and unethical to waste fish.