In 2012 the Grunion Schedule was
right on track for an early March
grunion run. March, June, July and
August are the the months in which you
find the open season. 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.
Grunion Runs Chart 2013
Open Season
March
11
12
13
14
27
28
29
30
Mo 10:10 p.m. -
12:10 a.m.
Tu 10:40 p.m. -
12:40 a.m.
We 11:10 p.m. -
1:10 a.m.
Th 11:40 p.m. -
1:40 a.m.
Fr 9:10 p.m. -
11:10 p.m.
Sa 9:55 p.m. -
11:55 p.m.
Su 10:40 p.m. -
12:40 a.m.
Mo 11:30 p.m. -
1:30 a.m.
* 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 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.
