There’s deep sea fishing, fishing along the coast, and fishing within San Francisco Bay from boats or piers. … Depending on the season, the same boats may fish for halibut, salmon, rockfish, sandabs, or striped bass. Fishing Supplies and Bait are available in most areas around San Francisco Bay.

Can you fish in the San Francisco Bay?

There’s deep sea fishing, fishing along the coast, and fishing within San Francisco Bay from boats or piers. … Depending on the season, the same boats may fish for halibut, salmon, rockfish, sandabs, or striped bass. Fishing Supplies and Bait are available in most areas around San Francisco Bay.

Where can I Shore Fish in San Francisco?

1. Fisherman’s Wharf. …
2. Pier 7. …
3. Horseshoe Lake. …
4. Bon Tempe Lake. …
5. Pillar Point Harbor. …
6. Lake Chabot. …
7. Pacifica Municipal Pier. …
8. San Pablo Reservoir.

Is fishing allowed in the Bay Area?

Many parks and shorelines are open to fishing. It is suggested you contact the agency that manages your desired fishing location to check on restrictions or closures prior to heading out. Follow all state and local health guidelines for physical distancing and hygiene. All fishing regulations are being enforced.

Do you need a fishing license to fish in San Francisco Bay?

A fishing license is required when fishing everywhere except for a public pier. Even if you hooked the fish on the pier and only came down onto the beach to land the fish, you would need a valid license to avoid a potential citation.

What fish can you catch in the bay?

• Rockfish.
• Cabezon.
• Kelp and Rock Greenlings.
• Lingcod.
• California Scorpionfish (a.k.a. sculpin)
• Leopard Shark.
• Soupfin Shark and Spiny Dogfish.
• Other Federally Managed Groundfish.

Where are the fish biting in the Bay Area?

1. Lake Chabot. One of the most popular freshwater fishing spots in the Bay Area is Lake Chabot. …
2. Municipal Pier. Another top spot in the Bay Area is this great San Francisco pier located at Aquatic Park. …
3. San Pablo Reservoir. …
4. Pacifica Pier. …
5. Pillar Point Harbor. …
6. Bodega Bay.

What's the best time to go fishing?

• Early Morning. 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
• Late Morning to Afternoon. 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Afternoon to Dusk. 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What fish are in season in SF Bay?

• Sturgeon and Striped Bass / January through March:
• Halibut and Striped Bass / April through August:
• Leopard Sharks / May through October:
• Striped Bass / October through December:

What fish is San Francisco known for?

Chinook Salmon – Everyone’s Favorite Remember how we talked about SF’s favorite fish? Well, it’s no secret that Chinook, aka the “King” of all Salmon, is the most prized catch here. In fact, the whole Bay Area is known for its exquisite wild Chinook, which is open for fishing from May–October.

Article first time published on

Where can I fish for halibut in San Francisco?

Fishing for Halibut means bouncing a weight along the bottom, where halibut stay. Common spots for halibut in the bay include Crissy Field, the south side of Angel Island, the Berkeley Flats, the south end of Richardson Bay, and the east short of the San Francisco peninsula from Hunters Point to Coyote Point.

Where can I catch halibut in San Francisco?

Central bay locations such as Angel Island, Paradise Cay, Krissy Field and the Berkeley Flats provide the most consistent fishing throughout the season. At times the South Bay plays host to hot halibut action.

How many hooks can you use in California fishing?

In California, “all fish may be taken only by angling with one closely attended rod and line or one hand line with not more than three hooks nor more than three artificial lures (each lure may have three hooks attached) thereto” (California Code of Regulations, section 2.00).

Can you fish at Zuma Beach?

All types of fishing are prohibited in the Malibu ocean from Paradise Cove to Zuma Creek. The area from Zuma Creek to El Matador State Beach has the less-restrictive designation of State Marine Conservation Area, which allows specific types of fishing.

How much is a fishing license in California 2021?

The current California annual fishing license fees for 2021 are $52.66 for a resident and $142.05 for a nonresident. For short-term licenses, the fees are as follows: One-day Sport Fishing License: $17.02. Two-Day Sport Fishing License: $26.49.

What can I fish in the Bay Area right now?

• Chinook Salmon – Always Fun, Always Delicious. …
• Can’t Get Enough of Bottom-Dwellers. …
• Striped Bass – A Fish for Everyone’s Pleasure. …
• Sturgeon Fishing Done Right. …
• Tuna! …
• And More… …
• Pier Fishing. …
• Surf Fishing.

Where can I fish for bass in the Bay Area?

One of the best fishing spots in bay area is the California Delta, particularly if you want to catch striped bass. If you’re wondering where to fish the California Delta from a pier or the shore, you can drive to the Antioch Downtown Fishing Pier or head to Sandy Beach Park near the town of Rio Vista.

Where can you find flounder in the Bay Area?

San Fransisco, Richardson, San Pablo, Grizzly, and Honker Bays are all good, as is Elkhorn Slough, at Moss Landing on Monterey Bay. Fish shallow water with sandy or mud bottoms. One key to success is to seek out areas around the bays where fresh water runs in.

What is the best bait for fishing in the bay?

Live Bait. When fishing in bays, you have a choice between live bait and artificial lures. If selecting live bait, you will generally want to use something that is similar to what the fish are currently feeding on. In bays, you may use shrimp, bull minnows, and fiddler crabs, which are three of the most popular options …

How deep is the San Francisco Bay?

The average depth of the bay is about 12-15 feet deep. Heck, between Hayward and San Mateo to San Jose it averages 12 to 36 inches. So much for that bridge! With that said though, the water surrounding Alcatraz is on the deeper end of the scale, but still, it’s just an average depth of 43 feet.

What is the best bait for saltwater fishing?

• Shrimp. Shrimp is a go to bait for saltwater anglers. …
• Shellfish. Lots of different species of fish eat shellfish like clams, mussels, or crabs. …
• Cut Bait. Cut bait has a strong aroma which is a key way to attract saltwater fish. …
• Bait Fish.

Is saltwater fishing easy?

When you’re first starting out, you may be surprised at the variety of fish you can catch off the shoreline; but aside from deep-sea game fish, you can actually catch most saltwater fish without ever going out onto the ocean. This makes it a great starting location for many beginners, and it’s easy to learn.

Where can I find rockfish in the Bay Area?

Small brown rockfish are one of the most common fish caught at Bay Area piers. Best bets: Goleta Pier, Port San Luis Pier, Morro Bay T-Piers, Piller Point Harbor Pier, San Francisco Municipal Pier, Port View Park Pier, Berkeley Pier, Paradise Beach Pier, Angel Island Pier, Elephant Rock Pier and the Fort Baker Pier.

What's inshore fishing?

Inshore fishing details: Within a few miles of shore, or in water less than 30 feet deep. Light tackle, more casting and use of live and dead bait. Less equipment needed, less reliant on a graph for locating fish. More consistent year-round fishing through seasonal climate changes.

How do you fish for striped bass in San Francisco?

Trolling is the most popular fishing method for stripers, and the best fishing is on a strong incoming tide after a low low tide. Stripers are caught year-round in San Pablo Bay, Carquinez Strait, and Suisun Bay.

Can you fish at Crissy Field?

Crissy Field is an outdoor park that has a sandy beach, walking and biking paths, picnic tables, and even a tidal marsh. Activities include wind surfing, or fishing and crabbing with no license needed.

Where can you find striped bass in the Bay Area?

During the summer and fall, striped bass fishing is at its peak in San Francisco Bay. Trollers and live bait drifters make good catches with regularity in Raccoon Strait, at the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, at submerged rocky reefs in central San Francisco Bay, and off Alcatraz and Treasure Islands.

Is it good to go fishing in the rain?

Rainy weather also creates desirable conditions for lake fishing. Many species of fish are more active under dark conditions, than in bright sunlight. … Rain will aerate the surface water and often has a cooling effect, both of which can activate fish.

Is it good to fish after rain?

Following rain events, fish often display more docile behavior and feeding activity slows way down. Fishing can still be productive after rain and a storm-system but you will need to slow your approach way down. Fish will be less committing to striking food so good lure selection will be more important.

Can you fish off the piers in San Francisco?

Fisherman’s Wharf: Pier fishing in San Francisco is common, with Fisherman’s Wharf being the best known spot. Here you’ll find restaurants and anglers, and most folks catch sturgeon, founder, perch, and sharks. … Candlestick Park offers two piers and fishing hours run from 7 AM until 8 PM.

What fish can you catch at Ocean Beach San Francisco?

Today: Dungeness Crab, Shark, Perch and Rays When casting a crab snare, deeper water is better; approach the water’s edge, cast the snare as far as you can, then back away. Right now, Scott said most Ocean Beach anglers are using crab snares or fishing for leopard sharks, perch and bat rays.