This looks like a rockfish, most likely a red rockfish / pacific ocean perch type based on the deep body, large eye, and pink-red coloration. 🎣
A couple of clues stand out:
- Big eyes often point to a fish that lives deeper or in lower light.
- The compressed, chunky body is classic rockfish shape.
- The reddish/pink color fits several Sebastes species.
That said, a single photo can be tricky — a few rockfish species look very similar once they’re out of the water and handled. If you want a tighter ID, send:
- a side-on photo
- a shot of the mouth and tail
- your location where it was caught
If you’re asking because you plan to keep or release it, rockfish regulations can be very specific by area and species, so it’s worth double-checking before harvest. When in doubt, treat it gently and keep it in the water as much as possible.
If you want, I can also help you identify the exact species from a clearer photo.
