California · Southern California · Northern California
California saltwater fishing forecast
11 bay systems and 526 named spots on the California Pacific coast, with 18 NOAA tide stations. Right now the top-scoring bay system is Waters from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island CA and westward 60 nm including San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands at 74 for Striped bass.
In peak season this week: Albacore tuna, Cabezon, California halibut, California yellowtail, Leopard shark and Mahi-mahi and 5 more.
- Bay systems
- 11
- Named spots
- 526
- Tide stations
- 18
- Species guides
- 18
Bay systems right now · 11
Scores from the Waterlands engine, computed 8:48 AM PDT. Best window is the rest of today.
PZZ673 · 61 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 5-8 PM (peak 80)
PZZ650 · 17 named spots
Top now: California yellowtail · Best window 5-8 PM (peak 79)
PZZ676 · 9 named spots
Top now: California yellowtail · Best window 5-8 PM (peak 79)
PZZ455 · 28 named spots
Top now: Cabezon · Best window 5-9 PM (peak 77)
PZZ655 · 117 named spots
Top now: California yellowtail · Best window 4-8 PM (peak 76)
PZZ530 · 159 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 5-10 PM (peak 80)
PZZ540 · 27 named spots
Top now: Rockfish · Best window 5-9 PM (peak 77)
PZZ531 · 30 named spots
Top now: Surfperch · Best window 5-9 PM (peak 84)
Scoring best right now
Each species' best score in a California bay system this hour.
- Striped bass75Great
Best in Waters from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island CA and westward 60 nm including San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands · scored in 8 bay systems
Peak season - California yellowtail73Great
Best in East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island · scored in 4 bay systems
Peak season - Cabezon71Great
Best in Coastal waters from Cape Mendocino to Pt. Arena CA out 10 nm · scored in 8 bay systems
Peak season - Rockfish71Great
Best in Waters from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island CA and westward 60 nm including San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands · scored in 11 bay systems
Peak season - Surfperch70Great
Best in Coastal waters from Cape Mendocino to Pt. Arena CA out 10 nm · scored in 11 bay systems
Peak season - California halibut65Great
Best in San Francisco Bay South of the Bay Bridge · scored in 11 bay systems
Peak season - Kelp bass65Great
Best in East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island · scored in 4 bay systems
Shoulder season - Barred sand bass64Good
Best in East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island · scored in 4 bay systems
Shoulder season - Lingcod64Good
Best in Inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands · scored in 11 bay systems
Shoulder season
Species guides · 18
Season, water temperature, depth, structure, tackle and regulations for each species in California waters.
- Albacore tunaThunnus alalunga · pelagicPeak season, about 5 more weekspeak
- CabezonScorpaenichthys marmoratus · nearshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- California halibutParalichthys californicus · bottomPeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- California yellowtailSeriola dorsalis · pelagicPeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Leopard sharkTriakis semifasciata · inshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Mahi-mahiCoryphaena hippurus · pelagicPeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Pacific bluefin tunaThunnus orientalis · pelagicPeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- RockfishSebastes spp. · nearshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Striped bassMorone saxatilis · sea-runPeak season, about 6 more weekspeak
- SurfperchEmbiotocidae (mainly Amphistichus spp.) · surfPeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Yellowfin tunaThunnus albacares · pelagicPeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Barred sand bassParalabrax nebulifer · nearshoreShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- Chinook salmonOncorhynchus tshawytscha · sea-runShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- Kelp bassParalabrax clathratus · nearshoreShoulder season, about 6 more weeksshoulder
- Kelp greenlingHexagrammos decagrammus · nearshoreShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- LingcodOphiodon elongatus · nearshoreShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- Pacific halibutHippoglossus stenolepis · bottomShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- White seabassAtractoscion nobilis · nearshoreShoulder season, about 6 more weeksshoulder
Regulations and licenses
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with CDFW Sep 16, 2026.
A sport fishing license is required in ocean waters for anglers 16 and older. An Ocean Enhancement Validation is also required south of Point Arguello, except on one- and two-day licenses. No license is needed on the free public piers CDFW lists, but other rules still apply. Check CDFW's in-season ocean regulation changes before fishing.
No reviewed rules are on file for California yet. Check the regulator's page before you keep a fish.