Widow Rockfish
Sebastes entomelas
Also known as Brown bomber, Soft brown, Brownie, Belinda bass
Culinary Profile
Delicate, nutty flavor.
Lean with a medium-fine texture.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Widow rockfish are dusky-brown with traces of light yellow and red. They have black fin membranes and a strongly slanted anal fin. They have weak or reduced (short) head spines and a mouth that is relatively small when compared to other rockfish.
Biology
Widow rockfish reach lengths up to 24 inches and may live as long as 60 years, but fish older than 20 are uncommon. Males grow faster than females, but females reach larger sizes. Widow rockfish mature at about 8 years old or when they are about 16.5 inches long. Widow rockfish are internal fertilizers, and larvae are released alive in January or February. Juveniles feed on krill and copepods.
Where They Live
Range Widow rockfish are found between the Gulf of Alaska and northern Baja California. Adults are rarely seen in California and are most abundant from British Columbia to northern California. Habitat Widow rockfish are found at depths ranging from 80 to 1,200 feet. Both juveniles and adults exist in large schools and are found above large jagged rocks and near cobblestone.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from the central Gulf of Alaska to northern Baja California.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
In 2023, commercial landings of widow rockfish totaled approximately 24 million pounds and were valued at $6.3 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The majority of the catch comes from Oregon and Washington and the remainder comes from California and Alaska. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Primarily harvested with midwater trawl gear, which has minimal impacts on ocean bottom habitats. To a lesser extent, harvested with bottom trawl gear. Midwater and bottom trawls may sometimes catch other species of fish, including overfished and protected species. Gear restrictions, closed areas, and catch share programs limit when, where, and how much trawl fishermen can harvest to reduce bycatch of other species.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 104 Species
Where Widow Rockfish ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 DHA | 585 mg | 16 / 104 | 85% |
| Vitamin B12 | 3.82 µg | 24 / 106 | 77% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Iron | 0.84 mg | 32 / 111 | 71% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 169 mg | 40 / 104 | 62% |
| Phosphorus | 198 mg | 70 / 111 | 37% |
| Protein | 17.73 g | 71 / 111 | 36% |
| Zinc | 0.4 mg | 82 / 111 | 26% |
Other Species in Genus Sebastes
5 close biological relatives of Widow Rockfish profiled in this catalogue — typically sharing similar anatomy, depth range, and fishery management.
| Species | Scientific name | Protein (g/100 g) | Omega-3 DHA (mg) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acadian Redfish | Sebastes fasciatus | 19.39 | 174 | Smart Choice |
| Bocaccio | Sebastes paucispinis | 17.81 | 120 | Smart Choice |
| Canary Rockfish | Sebastes pinniger | 18.36 | 179 | Smart Choice |
| Pacific Ocean Perch | Sebastes alutus | 19.39 | 174 | Smart Choice |
| Yellowtail Rockfish | Sebastes flavidus | 17.81 | 120 | Smart Choice |
Other West Coast Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Widow Rockfish.
California Market Squid
Doryteuthis (Loligo) opalescens
Mild, and subtly sweet.
Lingcod
Ophiodon elongatus
A mild-tasting fish.
Northern Anchovy
Engraulis mordax
Canned or salted anchovies have a pronounced, salty tang, and fresh anchovies have a rich but subtle taste and a soft te…
Pacific Mackerel
Scomber japonicus
Rich with a pronounced flavor.
Pacific Sardine
Sardinops sagax caerulea
When fresh, small sardines have a delicate flavor. Larger sardines have a fuller, oilier flavor, similar to anchovies bu…
Pacific Whiting
Mercluccius productus
Mild and slightly sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Delicate-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the delicate flavour profile of Widow Rockfish, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Pollock
Pollachius virens
Sweet and delicate.
Black Sea Bass
Centropristis striata
Mild, fresh, somewhat delicate flavor.
Bocaccio
Sebastes paucispinis
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Canary Rockfish
Sebastes pinniger
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Smaller coho have a delicate flavor. Fillets from larger fish have a mild taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Widow Rockfish live?
Live as long as 60 years.
Where is Widow Rockfish found?
Range Widow rockfish are found between the Gulf of Alaska and northern Baja California. Adults are rarely seen in California and are most abundant from British Columbia to northern California. Habitat Widow rockfish are found at depths ranging from 80 to 1,200 feet. Both juveniles and adults exist in large schools and are found above large jagged rocks and near cobblestone.
How much Widow Rockfish is caught commercially?
In 2023, commercial landings of widow rockfish totaled approximately 24 million pounds and were valued at $6.3 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The majority of the catch comes from Oregon and Washington and the remainder comes from California and Alaska.
How much protein is in 100 g of Widow Rockfish?
A 100 g raw serving of Widow Rockfish provides 17.73 g of protein — roughly 35% of the FDA 50 g daily value.
Is Widow Rockfish a good source of vitamin B12?
Yes — Widow Rockfish provides 3.82 µg of vitamin B12 per 100 g raw, which is 159% of the 2.4 µg daily value.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught widow rockfish is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are two stocks of widow rockfish: Pacific coast and one stock contained in the Gulf of Alaska Other Rockfish Complex. According to the most recent stock assessments: The Pacific coast stock of widow rockfish is not overfished (2023 stock assessment) and not subject to overfishing based on 2022 catch data. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The Pacific Coast stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Most fishing gear used to harvest widow rockfish rarely contacts the ocean floor and has minimal impacts on habitat. Area closures and gear restrictions protect sensitive rocky, cold-water coral and sponge habitats from bottom trawl gear.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch of overfished and protected species.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the widow rockfish fishery on the West Coast. Managed under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan : Permits and limited entry to the fishery. Limit on how much may be harvested in one fishing trip. Certain seasons and areas are closed to fishing.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 19 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.