California · Northern California · Southern 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 San Francisco Bay South of the Bay Bridge at 78 for Striped bass.
In peak season this week: Kelp greenling and Lingcod.
- Bay systems
- 11
- Named spots
- 526
- Tide stations
- 18
- Species guides
- 18
Bay systems right now · 11
Scores from the Waterlands engine, computed 7:04 PM PDT. Best window is the rest of today.
PZZ531 · 30 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 7-11 PM (peak 78)
PZZ455 · 28 named spots
Top now: Lingcod · Best window 7-9 PM (peak 77)
PZZ530 · 159 named spots
Top now: Lingcod · Best window 7 PM-12 AM (peak 77)
PZZ540 · 27 named spots
Top now: Lingcod · Best window 7-9 PM (peak 76)
PZZ673 · 61 named spots
Top now: Lingcod · Best window 7-9 PM (peak 75)
PZZ650 · 17 named spots
Top now: Lingcod · Best window 7-9 PM (peak 71)
PZZ655 · 117 named spots
Top now: Lingcod · Best window 7-9 PM (peak 70)
PZZ676 · 9 named spots
Top now: Lingcod · Best window 7-9 PM (peak 70)
Scoring best right now
Each species' best score in a California bay system this hour.
- Striped bass78Great
Best in San Francisco Bay South of the Bay Bridge · scored in 8 bay systems
Shoulder season - Lingcod77Great
Best in Coastal waters from Cape Mendocino to Pt. Arena CA out 10 nm · scored in 11 bay systems
Peak season - Kelp greenling69Great
Best in San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay, the West Delta and the San Francisco Bay north of the Bay Bridge · scored in 8 bay systems
Peak season - Rockfish68Great
Best in Coastal waters from Cape Mendocino to Pt. Arena CA out 10 nm · scored in 11 bay systems
Shoulder season - 68Great
- Kelp bass66Great
Best in Outer waters from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM offshore including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands · scored in 4 bay systems
Off season - California yellowtail65Great
Best in Outer waters from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM offshore including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands · scored in 4 bay systems
Off season - Leopard shark64Good
Best in San Francisco Bay South of the Bay Bridge · scored in 11 bay systems
Shoulder season - California halibut63Good
Best in San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay, the West Delta and the San Francisco Bay north of the Bay Bridge · scored in 11 bay systems
Shoulder season - Surfperch63Good
Best in San Francisco Bay South of the Bay Bridge · scored in 11 bay systems
Shoulder season
Species guides · 18
Season, water temperature, depth, structure, tackle and regulations for each species in California waters.
- Kelp greenlingHexagrammos decagrammus · nearshorePeak season, about 4 more weekspeak
- LingcodOphiodon elongatus · nearshorePeak season, about 4 more weekspeak
- Albacore tunaThunnus alalunga · pelagicShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- CabezonScorpaenichthys marmoratus · nearshoreShoulder season, about 4 more weeksshoulder
- California halibutParalichthys californicus · bottomShoulder season, about 4 more weeksshoulder
- Leopard sharkTriakis semifasciata · inshoreShoulder season, about 4 more weeksshoulder
- RockfishSebastes spp. · nearshoreShoulder season, about 8 more weeksshoulder
- Striped bassMorone saxatilis · sea-runShoulder season, about 4 more weeksshoulder
- SurfperchEmbiotocidae (mainly Amphistichus spp.) · surfShoulder season, about 25 more weeksshoulder
- Barred sand bassParalabrax nebulifer · nearshoreOff season, about 8 more weeksoff
- California yellowtailSeriola dorsalis · pelagicOff season, about 25 more weeksoff
- Kelp bassParalabrax clathratus · nearshoreOff season, about 25 more weeksoff
- Mahi-mahiCoryphaena hippurus · pelagicOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- Pacific bluefin tunaThunnus orientalis · pelagicOff season, about 25 more weeksoff
- White seabassAtractoscion nobilis · nearshoreOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- Yellowfin tunaThunnus albacares · pelagicOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- Chinook salmonOncorhynchus tshawytscha · sea-run
- Pacific halibutHippoglossus stenolepis · bottom
Regulations and licenses
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with CDFW Oct 31, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 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.
119 approved rules on file across 14 regulation areas. Each bay system and species guide lists the rules that apply there.