Tuesday July 14, 2026
KTLA 5 —
Get your grunion buckets ready.
The slimy little fish are forecast to return to Southern California beaches from July 14 to July 17, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Grunion wash ashore during select nights each year to spawn in the wet sand during full and new moons. Grunion runs happen from beaches south of Point Conception in Santa Barbara County to Baja California.
Beachgoers are invited to catch the edible fish, but must do so by hand. State law allows a bag limit of 30 grunion per person.
“One of California’s most extraordinary wildlife events happens after dark during a short window of time and on a few special beaches,” CDFW said. “Beaches are scouted by grunion in advance so every run there is no guarantee your favorite beach will be visited. Once a run begins, and in a true test of fishy strength, grunion storm the beach to lay their eggs away onshore during the high tide. This rare and special event is timed with the moon and tidal cycles.”