Grunion Runs—a Time-Honored Tradition
- Media
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
So last week I guess we had a Grunion run on local beaches.
I hardly heard about, that's sad really. During the 70's and 80's a Grunion run was like a "Rite of passage" for I.B. parents and kids alike.
The parents would grab the sleeping bags, hot dogs, marshmallows and wire hangers, etc. and hit the beach. Us surfers would bring our boards in case the waves were good in the morning. A big fire would be started in the pit as our parents would drink their beers get their party on while we waited for the fish.
U parents can't imagine the screams of utter delight when a 4 or 5-year-old sees those fish come up to the beach to mate, for the first time. Fish that can't get away from their curious lil hands, fish that don't bite and freak them out.
The convenience the parents had not have to shut everything down when the kids got tired. We just got into our sleeping bags and hopefully woke up to nice GLASSY waves. Parents didn't have to go into PANIC MODE, trying to get kids clean enough to get into the car in darkness. Relax parents . . . stay the night.
Ahhhh, I think I tasted beer for the first time on a Grunion run.
Brandon Bilbray | May 17, 2026 | Imperial Beach Historical Society (FaceBook)
EDITOR'S NOTE: According to the Department of Fish and Wildlife (State of California), "California grunion are small, silvery fish found only along the coast of Southern California and northern Baja California. Unlike other fish, grunion come completely out of the water to lay their eggs in the wet sand of the beach. Grunion make these excursions only on particular nights and with such regularity that the time of their arrival on the beach can be predicted a year in advance. This phenomenon can be seen on many beaches in Southern California.
Grunion season is CLOSED for April, May, and June. During the CLOSED season, contact with grunion is prohibited to allow for uninterrupted spawning. However, discreet observation of grunion runs is permitted during the CLOSED season.
During the OPEN season, a California fishing license is required for persons 16 years and older. Grunion may be taken by hand only. No holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them. The daily bag and possession limit for grunion is 30 fish." The OPEN season begins on July 1st.
Expected 2026 grunion runs schedule may be found here.
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