Saltwater · Year-round; best April to October
Striped Surfperch
Embiotoca lateralis
The striped surfperch is the blue-striped, photogenic surfperch of BC's rocky shores. In Canada it is caught around Vancouver, Victoria and Campbell River on kelp and rock, and is a favourite for photo identification.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Bright blue longitudinal stripes along the upper side
- Yellow to orange fins, especially tail and anal fin
- Deep compressed body, silvery below the stripes
- Faint vertical bars may show over the blue stripes
- Small mouth and steep forehead typical of surfperches
Habits
- A rock and kelp fish, rarely over open sand
- Picks shrimp, crabs and snails from rocks and kelp
- Gives birth to live young in late spring and summer
- Holds in small groups in the same kelp pocket
- Feeds by day, often in quite shallow water
Distribution
Where to find them
- Rocky shorelines around Victoria and the Gulf Islands
- Kelp-fringed points in Burrard Inlet and Howe Sound
- Breakwaters and rocky piers around Vancouver and Campbell River
Where they live
How to catch them
Kelp and rock bait fishing Rock fishing
Rig: Light rod, small weight and size 6-8 hook cast to the edge of kelp and rocks
Bait/lure: Sand shrimp, small crab
Key tip: Cast accurately tight to the rocks — a metre too far into open water is usually a metre too far from the fish.
Piling and breakwater fishing Rock fishing
Rig: Light rod, split shot and single hook lowered beside fouled pilings and breakwater rocks
Bait/lure: Mussel meat, sandworm
Key tip: Work each stretch of rock; small groups occupy particular kelp pockets.
Surf fishing with sand crabs Shore
Rig: Carolina rig with a 1 oz egg sinker and size 4-6 hook, cast into the surf trough
Bait/lure: Sand crabs (mole crabs), sandworms or small soft grubs
Key tip: Dig your sand crabs at the water's edge and fish the trough right behind the breakers; surfperch feed within metres of the sand.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Light 7-8 ft spinning rod
- Line: 6-10 lb mono or braid
- Terminal: Size 6-8 hooks, split shot and small sinkers
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 8-12 in; large fish to about 15 in
On the table
Good — firm sweet flesh, best pan-fried; a favourite table surfperch.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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