Where Does California Herring Live?

California Herring lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find California Herring

Water type

saltwater

Depth

Typically found in coastal waters from the surface down to about 200 meters (650 feet), but can occur deeper. Spawning occurs in very shallow intertidal and subtidal zones.

Environment

Pelagic, schooling fish inhabiting coastal bays, estuaries, and nearshore oceanic waters. Spawning occurs on marine vegetation (eelgrass, kelp, algae) and artificial structures in sheltered areas.

Geographic range

North Pacific Ocean, from Baja California, Mexico, north to Alaska, across the Bering Sea, and south along the Asian coast to Korea and Japan. The 'California Herring' populations are specifically found along the coast of California.

Explore California Herring