Yelloweye Rockfish
Sebastes ruberrimus
Also known as: Red Snapper; Rasphead; Turkey Red
Size & Weight
Average Length
21.6"
Max Length
36.0"
Average Weight
5.0 lbs
Max Weight
25.0 lbs
Lifespan
118 years
Habitat
Depth Range
100 - 1800 ft
Water Temp
40-50°F
Deep rocky reefs; boulder fields; caves
Behavior
Spawning Season
Winter-spring; live birth
Migration: Generally sedentary; highly residential to specific reef
Diet: Fish; crustaceans; occasionally squid
Fishing Tips
PNW Season
Retention prohibited most areas
Techniques: Deep dropping; heavy tackle; circle hooks
Best Bait: Large jigs; whole squid; cut fish
Eating Quality
Edibility
Excellent
Sweet; firm; highly prized
State Records
Washington
27.75
lbs
California
18.19
lbs
Fun Facts
Can live 118+ years; extremely vulnerable to overfishing; bright yellow eye; must release with descending device
How to Identify
Bright yellow eye (distinctive); reddish coloration; found very deep (100-1800 feet); lives 100+ years; must release with descending device
Commonly Confused With
Compare Side-by-SideOfficial Resources
Sources: WDFW; ODFW; CDFW; NOAA
Change History (Last updated Feb 10, 2026 at 02:08 PM)
| Date | Change | Old Value | New Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 10, 2026 02:08 PM | Added image | — | species-17-3cbb9fc13a739228.jpg | Source: Mexican-fish.com |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:33 AM | Updated Avg Length | — | 21.6 |