Grunion Run: 4 Things You Need to Know

Grunion are two species of small, silver fish. The Gulf grunion and the California grunion can only be found on the coast of Southern California and northern Baja California. A grunion run is a spawning event where female grunion come out of the water to lay their eggs on the beach. Runs take place during the spring and summer across Southern California. There are rules for grunion runs, including specific dates and times for the different grunion seasons, as well as licensing regulations. Here’s what you need to keep in mind to make the best of your grunion run.

1. You Can Only Catch Grunion by Hand

Other fish spawn on beaches, but none of them do so completely out of the water as grunion do. You can only catch grunion by hand, and you can only catch them during open grunion season. You are prohibited from digging holes in the beach to trap them. Fishermen are also not allowed to use any other means to catch the grunion. This helps to ensure their population doesn’t become over-harvested. Wildlife officers recommend observing rather than catching the fish. If you only plan to watch, do not disturb the eggs or the females depositing them. If they can complete spawning, they will be able to contribute to future runs.

2. There Are Open and Closed Grunion Seasons

Grunion season usually occurs from March through August, but it can sometimes include February and September. Late March through early June are peak spawning periods, which is when grunion runs are larger and you are most likely to see them. However, the closed season takes place in April-June, which restricts visitors to observation only. This is to help with grunion conservation during these peak spawning periods. Open season runs through March, then resumes in July and August.

3. You Must Have a License to Interact with the Grunion

Even though they are caught by hand, anyone 16 and older still needs to have a California sport fishing license during the open season. If you only plan to observe during the closed season, you do not need a license. However, if you plan to interact with the fish at all, even if you do not keep them, a license is required. The current daily possession limit is 30 fish per person. However, it’s important to check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website for the most up-to-date information.

4. Grunion Only Spawn on Specific Nights

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife schedule for expected grunion runs includes four consecutive nights beginning when there are new and full moons. There is a two-hour window after high tide where the fish are most likely to appear. Officials note that the second and third nights of a four-night period are generally the best runs. The second hour of the two-hour window is also typically better. The exact timing of the runs may vary, depending on the beach.

Grunion Run Tips

During a grunion run, the female fish go onto the beach to lay eggs high up on the shore. The males follow to fertilize them. After fertilizing the eggs, the males go straight back to the ocean. The females struggle free from the sand to wait for the next wave. However, they may be stranded for a few minutes. This is the best time to try to catch them.

Southern California has the largest grunion runs, with smaller grunion runs happening farther north. However, this also means that the spots with the larger grunion runs may also be the noisiest and most crowded. This can make it more difficult to catch any fish. To find the best beach, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends calling the state and county lifeguards. Local lifeguards will likely know if their beach has had any recent runs.