Visiting all the best fishing spots in California can take years.
The Golden State has so much to offer anglers of all sorts, from saltwater fishing in San Diego to fly fishing in Yosemite’s Tuolumne and Merced rivers and wetting a line from the Venice Fishing Pier.
As a bonus, you’ll catch some breathtaking views regardless of the fishing spot you choose and have the opportunity to explore stunning hiking trails.
We’ve shortlisted some of California’s best freshwater and saltwater fishing spots to make your search for an ideal angling destination a little easier, so let’s take a look at them.
Top Fishing Spots in California at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the best fishing spots in California:
- Best for Trout: Yosemite National Park
- Best for Mackinaw: Lake Tahoe
- Best for Surf Fishing: Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Best for Salmon: Smith River
10 Best Fishing Spots in California in Detail
Yosemite National Park
Fly fishing at Yosemite National Park has been a tradition for over a century. Its Merced and Tuolumne rivers are among the top destinations in California for anglers trying to catch a Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout.
The daily bag limit depends on where in Yosemite National Park you decide to fish and the species you’re targeting.
You can book an Entrance Reservation or purchase a Standard Entry Pass that’s valid for a week, but it’s paramount to plan your visit to Yosemite National Park because you may not be able to enter on some dates.
Type of fishing: Fly fishing
Expect to find: Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout
Rules and safety guidelines: The bag limit for Brown Trout varies from 5 to 10.
Malibu Creek State Park
Nicknamed the Yosemite of Southern California, Malibu Creek State Park is the southernmost home of the Steelhead Trout and less than forty miles west of downtown Los Angeles. Fishing isn’t allowed throughout the 8,000-acre park, and you cannot cast a line in the Malibu Lagoon or Lower Malibu Creek.
Still, this state park can be a great fishing spot to catch a largemouth bass or a panfish, especially if you visit it with an experienced guide.
Type of fishing: Freshwater fishing
Expect to find: Largemouth bass
Rules and safety guidelines: Anglers older than 16 must have a license to fish at Malibu Creek State Park.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and one of California’s most sought-after fishing destinations. Mackinaw (Lake) Trout and Rainbow Trout are abundant in the lake’s clear-blue waters, but you can also reel in Kokanee Salmon or Largemouth Bass.
Finding a good spot to fish from the shore can be challenging, so chartering a boat is often the best way to experience the charms of angling at Lake Tahoe. Fishing is permitted throughout the year, but spring or summer is the best time to visit.
Type of fishing: Boat fishing, fly fishing
Expect to find: Mackinaw, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee Salmon, etc.
Rules and safety guidelines: You can fish from one hour before sunrise until two hours after sunset at Lake Tahoe.
Venice Fishing Pier
An angler’s visit to LA is incomplete without a stop at the Venice Fishing Pier. The 1,300-foot fishing pier is situated on one of the city’s most beautiful beaches, and it attracts hundreds of anglers daily.
The best part is that you don’t need a license to fish from a pier in California, but you must get one if you want to try your luck at surf fishing from the beach.
Pacific Mackerel, Yellowfin Croaker, and Walleye Surfperch are among the most common catches at the Venice Fishing Pier.
Type of fishing: Pier fishing
Expect to find: California Butterfish, Black Perch, Jack Mackerel, and much more.
Rules and safety guidelines: No dogs are allowed. Fishing from the pier is allowed at all hours.
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Located just thirty miles south of San Francisco, the Half Moon Bay State Beach stretches over four miles and offers plenty of great fishing spots. You can cast a line from Francis and Dunes beaches or try angling from the jetties.
Chartering a boat is the best way to discover fishing spots in the Bay Area and reel in some impressive catches. Half Moon Bay State Beach is famous for King Salmon fishing, but California Halibut, Perch, and Rockfish are also quite common.
Type of fishing: Pier fishing, Surf fishing, Boat fishing
Expect to find: King Salmon, California Halibut, Rockfish
Rules and safety guidelines: Staying out of the water is advisable due to its low temperature and strong currents.
Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
Fishing is far from being the only outdoor activity you can do in the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta because the area is a popular destination for boaters, campers, and hikers.
So, chartering a boat or renting a kayak at the California Delta could be a good idea if you want to explore the area’s natural riches while angling for Salmon, Sturgeon, or Bass.
Navigating the California Delta can be tricky for first-time visitors because the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River have dozens of tributaries.
Type of fishing: Kayak fishing, boat fishing, bank fishing
Expect to find: Largemouth Bass, White Sturgeon, Chinook Salmon
Rules and safety guidelines: Check the Guide to Eating Fish From the Delta to check which fish species you shouldn’t eat due to high levels of mercury.
Smith River
If you’re a freshwater angler who loves catching Steelheads and King Salmon, visiting Smith River in Northwestern California should be at the top of your bucket list.
California’s only undammed river is a part of the National Wild and Scenic River System and stretches over 25 miles from the Klamath Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.
The banks are rocky, so finding a spot