The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Widow / Shortbelly Rock Sebastes entomelas
Widow / Shortbelly Rock Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 12–20 in, 1–4 lb (widow rockfish; shortbelly run much smaller) |
|---|---|
| Maximum | widow up to 24 in; shortbelly up to about 13 in |
| Lifespan | up to 60 years (widow); about 30 years (shortbelly) |
| Range | A two-species midwater rockfish group of the Northeast Pacific, ranging from the Gulf of Alaska to northern Baja California and most common off British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and northern California. |
| Habitat | Dense schools suspended in midwater over rocky reefs, banks and steep drop-offs, roughly 80–1,200 ft. |
| Diet | Krill, copepods, juvenile crabs, amphipods and small schooling fish taken in midwater. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Widow / Shortbelly Rock
- Brassy to dusky brown-gray, sometimes a light bluish sheen
- Clean/clear fin membranes (no black blotches on the spiny dorsal)
- Large eye; small mouth, jaws roughly even (no strong underbite)
- Weak head spines, smooth-feeling head
- Anal fin with a straight/vertical rear edge
Tell it apart: Clear, unspotted dorsal-fin membranes and a straight-edged anal fin separate Widow Rockfish from the very similar Black Rockfish, which has black blotches on the spiny dorsal.
Easily confused with: Black Rockfish
Side by side: Widow / Shortbelly Rock vs Black Rockfish
How to Catch Widow / Shortbelly Rock
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- Best June through August when schools stack up — jig small shrimp flies and metal jigs through midwater over deeper offshore reef.GearShrimp fly rigsDiamond jigsMedium jigging combo
When & Where Widow / Shortbelly Rock Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Northwest Offshore |
Widow / Shortbelly Rock Regulations
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.