NWS zone PZZ530 · Northern California
San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay, the West Delta and the San Francisco Bay north of the Bay Bridge fishing forecast
California · Pacific coast
Score now
- Named spots
- 159
- Species scored
- 11
- Tide stations
- 6
Overview
San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay, the West Delta and the San Francisco Bay north of the Bay Bridge is NWS marine zone PZZ530 on the California Pacific coast, in the Northern California species region. The Waterlands engine treats it as inland water (bays, sounds, straits). It holds 159 named features from the USGS Geographic Names Information System and has 6 NOAA tide stations nearby.
11 species are scored here in this forecast; Striped bass, Rockfish, Cabezon and Surfperch are at peak season now.
At 6:00 PM it scores 78 (great), led by Striped bass. The best window for the rest of today is 6 PM-12 AM (flood tide), peaking at 81 for Striped bass. Over the next 14 days the best hour is Tue, Sep 29 at 5 PM, scoring 86.
Best times to fish
Waterlands engine forecast computed 6:07 PM PDT.
Best window today
6 PM-12 AM · Flood tide
Top species: Striped bass
Best hour of each day, next 14 days
Tue, Sep 22
81
7 PM
Striped bass
Wed, Sep 23
83
7 PM
Striped bass
Thu, Sep 24
80
12 AM
Striped bass
Fri, Sep 25
81
9 PM
Striped bass
Sat, Sep 26
82
5 PM
Striped bass
Sun, Sep 27
78
5 PM
Striped bass
Mon, Sep 28
82
5 PM
Striped bass
Tue, Sep 29
86
5 PM
Striped bass
Best day
Wed, Sep 30
83
5 PM
Striped bass
Thu, Oct 1
79
6 PM
Striped bass
Fri, Oct 2
82
7 PM
Striped bass
Sat, Oct 3
83
7 PM
Striped bass
Sun, Oct 4
79
8 PM
Striped bass
Mon, Oct 5
80
6 PM
Striped bass
Species · 11
Listed for the Northern California region. Scores are this hour; season is where the species is in its year.
Peak season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Tue, Sep 29 at 5 PM (86)
Shoulder season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Wed, Sep 30 at 5 PM (72)
Peak season, about 1 more week · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 AM (71)
Peak season, about 1 more week · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 8 AM (71)
Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 PM (74)
Shoulder season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Fri, Oct 2 at 6 PM (70)
Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 9 AM (66)
Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 AM (72)
Shoulder season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Fri, Oct 2 at 6 PM (72)
Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 5 PM (62)
Named spots · 159
Ranked by score this hour. Each spot has its own hourly forecast, tide, current and regulations.
- Point CampbellCape · 36 to 157 ft · Semi-exposedTop now: Striped bass83Great
- Point LoneCape · 39 to 150 ft · ProtectedTop now: Striped bass83Great
- North PointCape · 14 to 55 ft · Semi-exposedTop now: Striped bass82Great
- Big BreakBay · 3 to 5 ft · Semi-exposedTop now: Striped bass81Great
- Point MolateCape · 3 to 9 ft · Semi-exposedTop now: Striped bass81Great
- Webb ReachChannel · 4 to 13 ft · Semi-exposedTop now: Striped bass81Great
- Cypress PointCape · 3 to 5 ft · Semi-exposedTop now: Striped bass80Great
- Oulton PointCape · 5 to 13 ft · Semi-exposedTop now: Striped bass80Great
- Raccoon StraitChannel · 63 to 115 ft · Semi-exposedTop now: Striped bass80Great
- Sandpiper SpitBar · 2 to 32 ft · Semi-exposedTop now: Striped bass80Great
- Fleming PointCape · 2 to 6 ft · Semi-exposedTop now: Striped bass79Great
- Point IsabelCape · 3 to 5 ft · Semi-exposedTop now: Striped bass79Great
147 more spots, A to Z
- Abalone Point68
- Alcatraz Shoal71
- Anita Rock69
- Antioch Point78
- Antioch Reach77
- Aramai Point63
- Arch Rock75
- Ayala Cove76
- Barries Bay53
- Belvedere Cove67
- Benicia Point67
- Benicia Shoals63
- Berkeley Point77
- Berkely Reef75
- Blossom Rock75
- Bluff Point78
- Bolinas Bay67
- Bolinas Lagoon65
- Bolinas Point70
- Bolsa Point62
- Bonita Channel68
- Bonita Cove64
- Brickyard Cove76
- Broad Slough73
- Bull Point66
- Bulls Head Channel68
- Carquinez Bay67
- Carquinez Strait70
- Castro Rocks74
- Centissima Reef67
- China Camp Point75
- Commodore Jones Point69
- Cone Rock70
- Corte Madera Channel68
- Creamery Bay52
- Dillon Point72
- Double Point68
- Dowest Slough76
- Drakes Bay62
- Drakes Estero64
- Duxbury Point70
- Duxbury Reef71
- East Bulls Head Channel66
- East Reach76
- East Reach73
- Estero De Limantour64
- Fanny Shoal30
- Fisherman Bay30
- Fishermans Cut68
- Ford Channel78
- Four Fathom Bank66
- Fraser Shoal72
- Garnet Point66
- Gillespie Point70
- Glen Cove67
- Golden Gate71
- Grizzly Bay58
- Half Moon Bay58
- Harbor Channel78
- Harding Rock75
- Home Bay62
- Honker Bay68
- Horseshoe Bay69
- Inner Harbor Basin77
- Invincible Rock72
- Keil Cove71
- Kings Rock67
- Kirby Cove67
- Lands End71
- Maintop Bay30
- Mare Island Strait62
- Middle Point70
- Middle Slough73
- Millers Point67
- Miramontes Point66
- Morrow Cove67
- New York Slough77
- Paradise Cay71
- Paradise Cove69
- Peninsula Point70
- Pescadero Point62
- Petaluma Point66
- Pickleweed Inlet73
- Pinole Shoal70
- Pinole Shoal Channel74
- Pirates Cove65
- Point Beenar74
- Point Carquinez67
- Point Cavallo74
- Point Edith68
- Point Edith Crossing Range66
- Point Emmet77
- Point Knox78
- Point Knox Shoal63
- Point Lobos71
- Point Montara64
- Point Orient76
- Point Palo Alto71
- Point Potrero79
- Point Potrero Reach78
- Point Resistance67
- Point San Joaquin79
- Point San Pablo76
- Point San Pedro75
- Point Simpton79
- Point Wall78
- Point Wise75
- Port Chicago Reach68
- Potatopatch Shoal63
- Potrero Turn78
- Presidio Shoal66
- Preston Point70
- Preston Point Reach66
- Rat Rock71
- Richardson Bay68
- Richmond Harbor Entrance Channel77
- Richmond Inner Harbor79
- Roe Island Channel68
- San Andreas Shoal69
- San Pablo Bay70
- San Pablo Strait73
- San Rafael Bay75
- Santa Clara Shoal73
- Schooner Bay62
- Seal Island Channel66
- Sears Rock67
- Semple Point74
- Shag Rocks75
- Simmons Point75
- South Bay69
- South Channel (historical)70
- Southampton Shoal71
- Southampton Shoal Channel79
- Southeast Reef67
- Southhampton Bay65
- Spoonbill Creek76
- Suisun Bay67
- Suisun Cutoff66
- Suisun Point Channel67
- The Jordan30
- Vista Point75
- Wash Rock67
- West Reach75
- West Reach68
- Whaleman Harbor63
- Whiting Rock72
- Winslow Cove76
Nearest tide stations
Regulations
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with CDFW Sep 22, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.
This bay system’s spots fall in North of Point Conception (159 spots), San Francisco Management Area (159 spots), San Francisco salmon area (159 spots), South of Point Arena (159 spots) and 38°02' to Pigeon Point salmon subarea (100 spots).
Ocean waters north of Point Conception (34°27' N. lat.) · CDFW
2 per day · Minimum 18 in, total length
Season: No closed season on file
Angling, spearfishing or bow and arrow only. No sinker over 4 pounds, no power-driven gurdy or winch, no snagging. The CDFW San Francisco Bay District page states the same limits for the bay: two fish, 18 inches total length.
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
3 per day · Minimum 28 in, total length. Or twenty and one-half inches alternate length (Section 28.35).
Season: No closed season on file
CDFW pages disagree on the alternate length: the regulation text says 20.5 inches, the booklet summary table 21.5 inches, and the regional web pages 20 inches. Total length is 28 inches on all of them.
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
San Francisco Groundfish Management Area · CDFW
10 per day (10 rockfish, cabezon and greenlings combined) · No minimum size limit.
Season: Apr 1 to Dec 31, 2026
Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from groundfish seasons and depth limits. All groundfish fishing is prohibited at Cordell Bank. RCG complex: all rockfish, cabezon, and kelp and rock greenlings combined. A descending device must be aboard when fishing from a boat.
CDFW Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations (updated June 23, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
2 per day · 2 in possession · Minimum 22 in, total length
Season: No closed season on file
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
10 per day (10 rockfish, cabezon and greenlings combined) · No minimum size limit.
Season: Apr 1 to Dec 31, 2026
Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from groundfish seasons and depth limits. All groundfish fishing is prohibited at Cordell Bank. RCG complex: all rockfish, cabezon, and kelp and rock greenlings combined. A descending device must be aboard when fishing from a boat. CDFW limits and seasons cover kelp and rock greenlings together.
CDFW Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations (updated June 23, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
2 per day · Minimum 22 in, total length
Season: Apr 1 to Dec 31, 2026
Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from groundfish seasons and depth limits. All groundfish fishing is prohibited at Cordell Bank. A descending device must be aboard when fishing from a boat.
CDFW Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations (updated June 23, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
10 per day (10 rockfish, cabezon and greenlings combined) · No minimum size limit.
Season: Apr 1 to Dec 31, 2026
Shore-based anglers and spear divers are exempt from groundfish seasons and depth limits. All groundfish fishing is prohibited at Cordell Bank. Within the 10-fish RCG limit: no more than 1 copper rockfish, 2 canary rockfish, and 2 vermilion/sunset rockfish. RCG complex: all rockfish, cabezon, and kelp and rock greenlings combined. A descending device must be aboard when fishing from a boat. Yelloweye, cowcod, bronzespotted and quillback rockfish may not be kept.
CDFW Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations (updated June 23, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
San Francisco Management Area (ocean salmon) · CDFW
No retention
Season: Sep 1 to Oct 31, 2026
Closed from Point Arena south to 38°02' N. lat. The fall season is open only from 38°02' N. lat. south to Pigeon Point.
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
South of Point Arena (Pacific halibut) · CDFW
1 per day · 1 in possession
Season: Apr 1 to Dec 31, 2026
Closes early if the quota for south of Point Arena is reached. Check the CDFW Pacific halibut page before fishing. When angling, no more than one line with two hooks. The 2026 booklet (Section 28.20) still says the season ends November 15 statewide. CDFW web pages and the 2026 federal rule (91 FR 23369) keep south of Point Arena open through December 31.
CDFW Current Ocean Recreational Fishing Regulations, San Francisco Region (updated September 1, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
38°02' N. lat. to Pigeon Point Subarea (ocean salmon) · CDFW
2 per day (2 salmon combined) · Minimum 20 in, total length
Season: Sep 1 to Oct 31, 2026
Changes to closed on Nov 1, 2026
Coho may not be kept. Salmon may not be filleted on a boat. No more than two daily bag limits on land, and one daily bag limit on a vessel. NOAA Fisheries can close open days early when the harvest guideline is near. Any salmon except coho. North of Point Conception: no more than two single-point, single-shank barbless hooks and one rod. Between 40°10' N. lat. and Point Conception, when bait fishing by any means other than trolling, use no more than two barbless circle hooks, hard tied no more than 5 inches apart. The 20,000 Chinook fall harvest guideline is shared with the area south of Pigeon Point.
CDFW 2026 Ocean Salmon Sport Regulations (updated August 19, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
Statewide
3 per day · Minimum 36 in, total length
Season: No closed season on file
Closed in the Groundfish Exclusion Areas off southern California.
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
20 per day · Minimum 10.5 in, total length. Redtail surfperch only. No minimum size for other surfperch.
Season: No closed season on file
In San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay, surfperch are closed April 1 through July 31 and the limit is 5 (shiner perch excepted). 20 surfperch in combination, not more than 10 of any one species. Shiner perch have a separate limit of 20.
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
Other California bay systems
- Coastal waters from Cape Mendocino to Pt. Arena CA out 10 nm28
- Coastal Waters from Point Arena to Point Reyes California out to 10 nm27
- East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island17
- Humboldt Bay28
- Humboldt Bay Bar
- Inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands117
- Monterey Bay50
- Outer waters from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM offshore including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands9
- San Francisco Bay South of the Bay Bridge30
- Waters from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island CA and westward 60 nm including San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands61
