Millions of California grunion are expected to return to the state's beaches for their annual spawning runs, beginning this week. These small, silvery fish are known for their unique behavior of riding waves onto the sand to lay their eggs. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has provided specific two-hour viewing windows when spawning is most likely to occur.
This natural phenomenon occurs during the spring and summer months, typically for four consecutive nights following the full and new moons. The grunion leave the ocean waters after high tides to spawn on the beaches, a process that can last for several hours. While the spawning itself may be brief, some fish can remain stranded on the beach for a few minutes before being carried back to sea by subsequent waves.
The CDFW has outlined the following expected spawning windows for the current run:
- July 14, 2026: 9:45 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.
- July 15, 2026: 10:35 p.m. – 12:35 a.m. (next day)
- July 16, 2026: 11:20 p.m. – 1:20 a.m. (next day)
- July 18, 2026: 12:10 a.m. – 2:10 a.m.
During the open season, Californians are permitted to catch grunion, with a limit of 30 fish per person. The CDFW advises that these fish can only be caught using bare hands, prohibiting the use of any tools or gear. A fishing license is required for those intending to capture grunion.
Grunions typically reside in nearshore waters and do not migrate. The best locations for observing these spawning runs are often quiet, dark, sandy stretches of beach with minimal foot traffic, gentle slopes, and ample shoreline. Despite their local concentrations, grunion populations are not abundant and face threats such as habitat loss due to beach erosion, construction projects, and pollution.
The CDFW has previously highlighted the remarkable spawning behavior of the grunion, which often elicits a strong reaction from observers. The marine creatures' ability to leave the water to reproduce has been a notable aspect of California's coastal natural history for decades.