SeeCalifornia.com

People go crazy to experience a grunion run. It may be a whopper of a sight like the one pictured at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s event where this picture was taken one night, or it can be a dud with barely a fish to be found on the sandy beaches near your feet.

When I worked in tourism at the Huntington Beach’s visitors and convention bureau, I got my feet wet so to speak, by answering phone calls from the public. I had posted some grunion runs on the organization’s website and the phones began ringing off the hook. It got so bad (or good) that the city and state beach operations said they were having trouble dealing with all the interest in the grunion runs. Why? Because grunion runs take places when beaches are officially closed and curfewed for the night. However, a California State fishing law allows for people to participate in fishing after hours only if they secure a fishing license.

There’s a rub — some of the beach parking lots are closed during grunion runs. It becomes real messy when the rules are complicated and the public can’t figure out the complex situation that exists.

Our solution in recent years has been to steer people to events held specifically to experience grunion.

Grunion Run Info 2018

• If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person who can navigate the rules & regs, here’s the grunion run schedule for 2018. You can only catch grunion with a license and during open season.
• For those looking to get informed and educated about grunion, and to experience the slimy silverside fish without having to purchase a fishing license, our go-to place is Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. Their “Meet the Grunion” program is excellent for seeing, learning and having fun. They train docents to become Grunion Greeters each year. The Aquarium also hosts a Grunion Gala and other great grunion-themed events you can sign up for.