San Francisco Bay Fishing
- 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 are in season in SF Bay?
Open Fishing Seasons
- Rockfish. The recreational fishery for rockfish (Sebastes species) is open year-round to divers and shore-based anglers.
- Cabezon.
- Kelp and Rock Greenlings.
- Lingcod.
- California Scorpionfish (a.k.a. sculpin)
- Leopard Shark.
- Soupfin Shark and Spiny Dogfish.
- Other Federally Managed Groundfish.
What fish are running in SF Bay?
San Francisco area has many species of fish to target. We have Halibut, Bass, many types of Sharks, Great White Sturgeon, White Sea Bass and King Salmon.
What fish are biting in San Francisco?
What Kind of Fish Are in the San Francisco Bay?
- Steelhead trout.
- Chinook salmon.
- Lingcod.
- California halibut.
- Pacific halibut.
- Albacore tuna.
- Great white sturgeon.
- Rockfish.
Where are the fish biting in San Francisco Bay?
Fisherman’s Wharf.
This is probably the most popular fishing spot in San Francisco, and you’ll hardly find better pier action anywhere else. Sharks, Striped Bass, Perch, and Flounder are all in the cards, and on a good day, you might even have a showdown with a Sturgeon.
What fishing season is it right now in California?
Regular or In-Season: Bona fide trout fishing season is the last Saturday in April (dubbed “Fishmas”) through November 15th every year.
What seafood is fresh in San Francisco?
Famous for its’ Dungeness crab, Cioppino and local oysters, San Francisco or “The City by the Bay” as it is affectionately known, has some of the best seafood the West Coast has to offer.
Are sharks in San Francisco Bay?
Around 11 species of Sharks are found in the Bay itself – including Leopard Shark, Pacific Angel Shark, Brown Smoothhound, Broadnose Sevengill, Soupfin Shark. The Leopard Shark is the most common in the Bay. Small Spiny Dogfish are found swimming on the bottom of the Bay.
Is San Francisco Bay good for fishing?
San Francisco Bay offers many salt water fishing opportunities, whether you want to fish from your own boat or are looking for a party boat (fishing charter boat) to go out on. There’s deep sea fishing, fishing along the coast, and fishing within San Francisco Bay from boats or piers.
How do you catch halibut from shore in San Francisco?
The most common halibut fishing methods at the Alameda rock wall are trolling and drifting live bait when fishing from a boat. If you are fishing from shore then using a drop shot method with a swim bait will work great.
Is it safe to eat halibut from Bay Area?
We’re lucky to be able to eat fresh fish from the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean. Many fish in the bay and Ocean are healthy and safe to eat, but some fish have high levels of toxins like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury that can harm your health and are NOT safe to eat.
Do you need a fishing license to fish in San Francisco Bay?
No. 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.
How do you catch sturgeon in San Francisco Bay?
Sturgeon feed on the bottom. You’ll want to get the bait down to them, which means using just enough weight to hold the bait down, but not too much that it hinders the natural flow of the bait. Use heavy line, heavy leader and a rod and reel that can handle a fish that occasionally reaches the 10-foot range.
How do you catch halibut in the bay?
On charter boats, the most common approach to catching halibut is live bait drifting. Live anchovies, sometimes shiner perch, are often used as baits. Most halibuts in the Bay area are within the 6-10 pounds to 20-25-pound range. While there may be the occasional 30-pounder trophy.
What is the limit for halibut in California?
The recreational fishery for California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) remains open year-round. The daily bag and possession limit is five fish south of Point Sur, Monterey County. The minimum size limit is 22 inches total length.
How do you catch fish in the bay?
Take a look at a few potential hot spots that you should consider targeting:
- Underwater Structures. Reefs, wrecks, oyster beds, and high-vegetation areas often have the most fish activity.
- Drop-Offs.
- Shallows.
- Water Convergence Zones.
- Rods, Reels, Lines.
- Live Bait.
- Artificial Lures.
- An Ideal Bay Fishing Boat.
What fish are biting in California?
Top Catches in California
- Chinook Salmon. There’s no more popular and chased catch in NorCal than Chinook Salmon.
- Striped Bass. If there ever was a NorCal staple species, it’s Striped Bass.
- White Sturgeon.
- And More…
- Tuna.
- Yellowtail Amberjack.
- Halibut.
- And More…
Is salmon season open in California?
California’s recreational salmon fishery will open in ocean waters on Saturday, April 3 in the Monterey management area, from Pigeon Point (37° 11′ 00” N. latitude) south to the U.S./Mexico border, with a minimum size limit of 24 inches.
Is night fishing illegal in California?
Answer: Night fishing for crappie is permitted by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) as long as the lake where you plan to fish permits fishing at night (Section 2.15). Some lakes prohibit night fishing for purposes of access control, safety or security reasons.
Is it illegal to catch Dungeness crab in San Francisco?
It’s illegal to catch Dungeness Crab inside the bay, but once you reach Baker Beach and China Beach, it’s legal to catch 10 per valid fishing license. When you’re ready to start your crabbing adventure, head to Gus’ Discount Tackle.
What food is San Francisco known for?
San Francisco is as famous for its restaurants and food trends as it is for its Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars. Among the unique or regionally typical foods to be sampled in San Francisco are abalone, Dungeness crab, sand dabs, bay shrimp and crusty sourdough French bread. Many local restaurants serve Joe’s Special.