Side by Side

Black Rockfish Sebastes melanops

Typical: 12–18 in, 1–3 lb

Key field mark: Black blotches on the spiny dorsal-fin membrane plus a rounded/slanted anal-fin margin ID Black Rockfish, versus Widow's clear fin membranes and straighter anal-fin margin.

• Gray-black to bluish, with a lighter mottled belly
• Black spotting/blotches on the membrane of the spiny dorsal fin
• Rounded snout, jaws roughly even (slight or no underbite)
• Weak, smooth head spines
• Anal fin with a rounded/slanted rear margin; not bright red

Full Black Rockfish guide — season, gear and rules →

Yelloweye Rockfish Sebastes ruberrimus

Typical: 20–28 in, 5–12 lb

Quickest tell: The glowing yellow iris plus rough raspy bony ridges above the eyes confirm the protected Yelloweye (release required) over the similarly red canary (gray lateral stripe, smooth head) and vermilion (red iris, black-mottled body).

• Bright orange-red to yellow-orange body
• Brilliant YELLOW eye (iris)
• Rough, raspy bony ridges over and between the eyes
• Adults often show a pale lateral stripe; juveniles have two white stripes
• Large, deep body with a single strongly spined dorsal

Full Yelloweye Rockfish guide — season, gear and rules →

When Each Is Running July — current month highlighted

Where Black Rockfish and Yelloweye Rockfish Overlap

Both run in Alaska — Southcentral & Southeast, Northern California, Pacific Northwest — that is where telling them apart actually matters.

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