Six pelagic species of rockfish are often found mid-water in schools, close to rocky structures. These Pelagic Rockfish: fish are moderately long-lived (most fish are 7-30 years old).
Rockfish Conservation - Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Vermillion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus) ID: Dark red, orange, brown, or yellow coloration mottled with gray. Red mouth, orange stripes radiate from eye, and underside of jaw rough.
Amazing Rockfish, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Rockfish are an amazingly diverse group of fish: scientists currently know of 102 species of rockfish with more than 30 species found in the Gulf of Alaska. Rockfish occupy nearly every type of marine habitat including shallow intertidal areas, deep-sea trenches, and broad mud flats – not just in rocky habitat as their name implies.
Yelloweye Rockfish - Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Brilliantly colored from orange-yellow to orange-red, yelloweye rockfish are one of the most well-known and prized of Alaska’s rockfish species. Deserving of their name, yelloweye are easily recognized by the bright yellow of their eyes.
Black Rockfish - Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Black rockfish are found in rugged, rocky habitat, often above pinnacles and/or in high current locations. Black rockfish are considered a pelagic rockfish species and are generally found in large schools in the water column; however, they are also observed to rest on the bottom.
Rockfish Through The Ages, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Over 30 species of rockfish (Sebastes) inhabit the waters of the Gulf of Alaska. As a species, rockfish are sedentary, long-lived, slow to reproduce, and reproduce in low numbers. As such, the population cannot sustain high levels of mortality from …
Rockfish Conservation - Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Alaska anglers can best prevent wasteful rockfish mortality by avoiding waters where unwanted catches are likely. When rockfish are caught incidentally despite avoidance efforts, proper deepwater release techniques can reduce mortality.
Rockfish Conservation - Alaska Department of Fish and Game
You can help ensure the future sustainability of Alaska’s rockfish populations by using resources on this website to educate yourself on rockfish identification, life history and management efforts.
For the purposes of sport fishery management, rockfish are divided into two groups, pelagic and non-pelagic. Bag and possession limits differ for the two groups in many areas, so it is important to be able to distinguish them. This chart shows the most common species in each group. ROCKFISH IDENTIFICATION - PELAGIC and NON-PELAGIC BLACK ROCKFISH
Why Rockfish Matter, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Rockfish are some of the most beautiful and colorful saltwater fish you’ll find in Alaska. Some are a brilliant shade of orange. Some display yellow, red and pink hues so prodigious they look more like a tropical fish than something you’d find in the cold, dark waters of the north.