Diversity of The Bay Area
Top Left to Bottom Right
California halibut, Starry Founder, Market Squid, Rockfish, Dungeness Crab, Chinook Salmon
Year-round fishing in California is no exaggeration. While other parts of the U.S. endure harsh winters and challenging conditions, the Bay Area offers anglers and foragers opportunities to target fish and wildlife throughout the year. I’ll break the year down into four key seasons: January–March, April–June, July–September, and October–December. This post will focus on ocean species, though freshwater opportunities are equally abundant.
Reminder: Fishing regulations can change frequently, so always double-check them before heading out, and be sure to have a valid California fishing license.
January to March:
The year kicks off with the annual herring run, which brings the San Francisco Bay to life. These spawning herring provide vital nutrients to the ecosystem, benefiting both wildlife and fishermen. Many use this time to load up on bait for the upcoming season, saving on the cost of purchasing it. Tracking herring can be challenging, but I rely on two key resources: 1) The Herring Facebook group, and 2) The Lost Anchovy blog. The Lost Anchovy offers excellent guides on how to catch herring, so be sure to check it out.
Clamming season also starts in winter and makes for a fun family activity. The bays north of San Francisco, such as Bodega and Tomales, offer great opportunities for digging. The main species to target include Manila clams, Washington clams, and horse neck clams. As always, be sure to follow all regulations and check the biotoxin hotline before digging.
April to June:
April marks the start of rockfish season for boat and kayak anglers (rockfishing from shore is available year-round). Many Bay Area businesses come to life with the beginning of rockfish season, with party boats heading out for near-shore and deep-water rockfishing. During the near-shore months, the Santa Cruz Wharf offers rockfishing opportunities from skiffs that you can rent and captain yourself. Lingcod, often referred to as “dragons” due to their massive size, are a prized catch during this time.
California halibut season also picks up in April. While you can catch halibut year-round, the season really takes off around this time, both in the ocean and in the San Francisco Bay. Halibut offer fantastic table fare and a fun fishing experience. Keep in mind that halibut are more particular about bait presentation compared to rockfish, so research and best practices are key to success.
While salmon fishing has been closed in 2023 and 2024 due to low numbers, this is also the time to target Chinook salmon. When the season is open, these salmon offer some of the best fighting and eating experiences on the Pacific coast. We’re hoping for a season in 2025!
In the summer, we also welcome one of my personal favorites: market squid. Check out our squid jigs for a great way to catch them. While they may not be the priciest seafood, there’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh squid you caught yourself.
July to September:
The trend continues into the summer months with abundant rockfish, halibut, and (if the season is open) salmon. During this time, bluefin tuna and albacore may also make an appearance, though targeting them requires a boat and plenty of fuel.
October to December:
October usually sees me braving the 6-7 hour drive down to the LA area to target spiny lobster from my boat. Spiny lobsters are typically hunted at night and can fetch a high price at stores, making them a popular target for fishermen who travel from all over to catch them.
November marks the start of Dungeness crab season, which extends into the following year. Opening day is a frenzy at the boat ramp parking lots, with anglers lining up to target these prized crustaceans. Crabbing from shore and piers is also common during this period.
