Copper Rockfish
Copper rockfish are a nearshore bottom fish found along British Columbia's coast, from the southern Strait of Georgia up through the Inside Passage and into the waters off Haida Gwaii.
They're a common target for boat anglers dropping baits over rocky reefs and kelp edges — accessible, willing biters, and genuinely good eating. DFO manages them carefully because some BC stocks are at low levels.
Scientific Name: Sebastes caurinus
Also known as Copper seaperch
- Body is deep and stout with fan-like dorsal and pectoral fins; coloring ranges from dark brown or olive to pink or orange-red, often with copper-pink or yellow patches on the back.
- A wide pale stripe runs along the rear two-thirds of the lateral line — one of the most reliable field marks separating copper rockfish from quillback or brown rockfish.
- A copper-orange streak runs from behind the eye toward the tail; cheeks are often yellowish; belly is whitish.
- Most BC fish run 17–20 inches and 2–4 lbs; the species can reach just over two feet and 10 lbs, though large fish are slow-growing and old.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to BC's coast; most abundant between British Columbia and southern California, with range extending into the Gulf of Alaska.
- Live in nearshore rocky environments — kelp forests, boulder reefs, and rocky ledges — generally staying close to the seafloor.
- Juveniles hide in eelgrass and kelp; adults move to deeper rocky structure, typically on or near sandy-rocky transition zones.
- Found throughout BC's tidal waters: the Strait of Georgia, the Inside Passage, waters around Vancouver Island, and north to Haida Gwaii.
Key Locations
- Strait of Georgia — rocky reefs and kelp beds throughout the strait hold copper rockfish accessible to boat anglers from the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
- Waters around Vancouver Island — both the east (inside) and west (outside) coasts have rocky nearshore habitat; the outside fishery is subject to additional management scrutiny.
- Inside Passage — the reef systems along BC's central and north coast, including waters near Haida Gwaii, support copper rockfish populations.
Specific Spots
- Rocky reef edges where boulders meet sand — copper rockfish hold tight to structure and use the transition zone to intercept prey moving off the reef.
- Kelp forest margins, especially where the canopy thins and the bottom drops away; adults stage just below the kelp in 30–100 feet of water.
- Underwater ledges and drop-offs with vertical relief; fish tuck into crevices and along the base of walls, so getting your bait to the bottom matters.
- Shore anglers can find juveniles and smaller fish around pier pilings, jetty rocks, and shallow reef points where kelp grows close to accessible structure.
Copper Rockfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Copper Rockfish?
Squid strips and whole anchovies are the standard baits, fished on a two-hook dropper rig or a simple sliding sinker rig right on the bottom near rocky structure.
When is the best time to fish for Copper Rockfish?
Year-round fishing is possible in BC tidal waters, but always check current DFO regulations and any in-season closures before heading out. Calmer summer and early fall conditions make accessing offshore rocky reefs more practical, particularly on BC's exposed west coast.
How do you catch Copper Rockfish?
Most BC anglers target copper rockfish from a boat, anchoring or drifting over known rocky reefs and dropping baits or jigs to the bottom. Shore fishing is possible around jetties, pier pilings, and shallow reef points, particularly for smaller fish.
What do Copper Rockfish eat?
Smaller fish, crustaceans, squid, and octopus make up the bulk of the diet, which is why squid strips and anchovy are the go-to baits, and why jigs tipped with bait or soft-plastic swimbaits that mimic small baitfish produce well.
Where do Copper Rockfish live?
Native to BC's coast; most abundant between British Columbia and southern California, with range extending into the Gulf of Alaska. Live in nearshore rocky environments, kelp forests, boulder reefs, and rocky ledges, generally staying close to the seafloor.
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