One of the largest rockfishes, Yelloweyes have an orange-red color and bright yellow eyes. Juveniles display white stripes, one above and one below the lateral line, which fade, then disappear as the fish ages.
Generally solitary, adults prefer high relief, rocky structure with abundant hiding places, such as overhangs, caves, and crevices. Yelloweye rockfish are some of the longest lived and slowest growing rockfishes, reaching up to 3 feet long and weighing in at nearly 25 pounds. One specimen was aged at 118 years old!
Their known range is from the Aleutian Islands of Alaska down to Ensenada, Mexico. These rockfish are targeted by hook and line commercial and sport fisheries in the northern portion of their range, but are strictly protected to the south, having been declared overfished by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Zero retention is allowed in California waters.
