The study aimed to establish a relationship between juvenile kelp bass populations and eelgrass habitat in an MPA offshore of Catalina Island. Monthly surveys over 8 months found that kelp bass abundance increased with greater eelgrass density and length, indicating eelgrass beds promote robust fish stocks. While kelp bass numbers were not directly correlated with eelgrass abundance, seasonal changes in abundance may reflect an ontogenetic shift. Kelp bass biomass increased over time as abundance declined, consistent with their spawning cycle. Overall, the data provides a basis for further investigating how eelgrass coverage influences fish productivity in MPAs.