FishKillFlea California is home to some of the most diverse and productive fishing waters in the United States. From high-altitude Sierra lakes to deep-sea Pacific offshore runs, the Golden State offers world-class angling opportunities year-round.
Top Freshwater Fishing Spots
Northern California
- Sacramento River (Redding area): Premier destination for wild rainbow trout and chinook salmon. The upper Sacramento below Lake Shasta is one of the most productive trout rivers in the West.
- Lake Shasta: California's largest reservoir, excellent for bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted), rainbow trout, and king salmon. Over 30,000 acres of water.
- Trinity River: Renowned for steelhead and salmon runs. Fall and winter steelhead fishing draws anglers from around the world.
- Clear Lake: Often ranked as the #1 bass fishing lake in California. Consistently produces trophy largemouth bass over 10 pounds.
Central California
- Lake Oroville: Deep reservoir with excellent king salmon, rainbow trout, and spotted bass fishing. The Thermalito Diversion Pool offers year-round trout.
- San Joaquin Delta: Over 1,000 miles of waterways supporting largemouth bass, striped bass, catfish, and sturgeon. Prime territory for boat fishing.
- Crowley Lake (Mono County): High-desert lake famous for trophy brown and rainbow trout. Opening day in late April is a California tradition.
Southern California
- Diamond Valley Lake (Hemet): Holds the California state record largemouth bass (22 lbs 10 oz). Regularly stocked with trophy trout.
- Lake Perris: Warm-water fishery with excellent largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. Family-friendly with a beach area.
- Castaic Lake: Major Southern California reservoir known for striped bass, largemouth bass, and stocked rainbow trout.
Top Saltwater Fishing Spots
- San Francisco Bay: Halibut, striped bass, bat rays, and seasonally, salmon. Pier fishing along the Embarcadero is free and productive.
- Monterey Bay: World-class rockfish, lingcod, and salmon fishing. The deep submarine canyon creates exceptional deep-water opportunities.
- Santa Monica Bay: Year-round fishing from piers and boats. Yellowtail, calico bass, and white seabass are popular targets.
- San Diego offshore: Southern California's gateway to bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and dorado. Long-range sport boats depart daily from Point Loma.
- Channel Islands: Pristine waters with excellent calico bass, yellowtail, and white seabass fishing. Some of the best spearfishing on the West Coast.
Best Pier Fishing (No License Needed)
Remember: fishing from a public ocean pier in California does not require a fishing license. Top piers include:
- Pacifica Pier: Striped bass, lingcod, and Dungeness crab
- Santa Monica Pier: Mackerel, bonito, and halibut
- Oceanside Pier: One of the longest public piers on the West Coast
- Shelter Island Pier (San Diego): Excellent for families and beginners
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Fishing | Top Spots |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Trout stocking, bass pre-spawn | Sierra lakes, Clear Lake, Delta |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Offshore tuna, mountain trout | San Diego offshore, High Sierra lakes |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Salmon runs, striped bass | Sacramento River, SF Bay, Klamath |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Steelhead, rockfish | North Coast rivers, Monterey Bay |
Neighboring trips: Try Oregon for Columbia River salmon, Nevada for Lake Tahoe (shared), or Arizona for Colorado River bass. Before heading out, make sure you have a valid fishing license. Get your California fishing license online →