Get to Know...California Spiny Lobster

The California Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus) is found in waters off the coast of Monterey Bay, California to the southern tip of Baja California. The lobsters are often found in depths ranging from 2 - 70 meters.  Colors vary from almost black to reddish purple to light red.  Deep grooves are found in the tail.

Fishing season is highly regulated, and is typically from October-March in order to avoid the breeding season.  The legal size for a California Spiny Lobster in the United States is a 3 1/4-inch, or 8 cm, which equates to a 20 cm total body length.