Pier Fishing in California

Free fishing in California on public piers is a sport that is easy to get hooked on. Not only is ocean and bay pier fishing free in California (does not include piers on inland waterways), children under the age of 16 generally do not need a fishing license to fish from lakes and in the ocean directly. Over the age of 16, anglers do require a license to fish if they are standing on a shoreline, riding in a boat, or casting line from a jetty not considered a public pier. Always obey pier signage, rules, and regulations. You can also consult the CA Fish and Wildlife website for their pier fishing FAQ.

See our Map of California’s Historic Fishing Piers.

Additionally, the State of California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) offers two free fishing days per year to lure non-anglers into a sport they can become hooked on and enjoy for a lifetime of great recreational activity. By the numbers, fishing is one of the top sports in the USA. Fishing is recreational, fun, relaxing and offers the benefit of providing a food source.

It’s always wise to check about the quality of local fish by reading signs posted about fish warnings and searching the state website for updates on recommendations about which fish to avoid in their fish consumption guideline pages that they routinely post and update.

If you don’t have your own gear, many piers and nearby concessions sell or rent equipment at affordable rates costing a lot less than rentals for sports such as surfing. Below are California fishing piers where you can cast a line and not be required to purchase a fishing license. For licenses, 1-day, several day and annual fishing licenses are sold online and at sporting goods stores and Walmart.

Free Fishing Piers in California

  • Antioch Pier, San Joaquin River – Catfish, striped bass
  • Avila Pier, Avila Beach – Mackerel, white croaker, surfperch
  • Balboa Pier, Newport Beach – Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito
  • Berkeley Fishing Pier, Berkeley – Staghorn sculpin, surfperch, jacksmelt
  • Brisbane Fishing Pier, Brisbane – Staghorn, sculpin, Surfperch
  • Cabrillo Fishing Pier, San Pedro, LA – White croaker, Pacific mackerel
  • Capitola Wharf, Capitola – Perch, mackerel, jacksmelt
  • Cayucos Pier, Cayucos – Pacific mackerel, white croaker, jacksmelt
  • Chula Vista “J” St Marina – Smelt, perch, guitarfish, croaker
  • Dana Point Pier, Dana Point – Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito
  • Embarcadero Fishing Pier, 5th Ave, San Diego – Smelt, bass, croaker, halibut
  • F.D. Roosevelt Fishing Pier, Oakland
  • Fort Point Fishing Pier, San Francisco – Staghorn sculpin, Surfperch
  • Half Moon Bay (Johnson’s Pier) – Surfperch, flounder, kingfish
  • Gaviota Pier, N of Santa Barbara – Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel
  • Goleta Pier, Goleta – Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, mackerel
  • Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington Beach – Corbina, mackerel
  • Imperial Beach Pier, Imperial Beach – Mackerel, halibut, bass, croakers
  • Jenner Visitor Center, Jenner – Steelhead, coho, topsmelt, striped bass
  • Malibu Pier, Malibu – Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel
  • Manhattan Beach Pier, – Corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel
  • Martinez Fishing Pier, Carquinez Straight, Martinez
  • Monterey Wharf #2, Monterey – Mackerel, bonito, sanddabs, jacksmelt
  • Newport Pier, Newport Beach – Corbina, jacksmelt, bonito mackerel
  • North T-Pier, Morro Bay – Jacksmelt, Pacific mackerel, surfperch
  • Ocean Beach Fishing Pier, San Diego – Topsmelt, mackerel, bass
  • Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside – Smelt, perch, guitarfish
  • Oyster Point Fishing Pier, South San Francisco – Surfperch
  • Pacifica Fishing Pier, Pacifica – White croaker, surfperch
  • Paradise Beach Fishing Pier, Tiburon – Surfperch, Staghorn sculpin
  • Pismo Beach Pier, Pismo Beach – Mackerel, jacksmelt, perch
  • Port Hueneme Pier, Port Hueneme – Corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel
  • Port San Luis Pier, Avila Beach – Perch, mackerel, white croaker, jacksmelt
  • Point Benicia Fishing Pier, Benicia – Flounder, bullhead
  • Point Pinole Fishing Pier, Richmond – Staghorn sculpin, surfperch
  • Redondo Beach Fishing Pier, Redondo Beach – Silversides, jacksmelt, halibut
  • San Clemente Pier, San Clemente – Croaker, topsmelt, mackerel
  • San Leandro Fishing Platform, San Leandro – Staghorn sculpin
  • San Simeon Pier, San Simeon – Surfperch, jacksmelt, white croaker
  • Santa Cruz Wharf, Santa Cruz – Pacific mackerel, jacksmelt, sculpin, perch
  • Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica – Corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel
  • Seacliff Wharf, Aptos – Perch, jacksmelt, mackerel, sculpin
  • Seal Beach Pier, Seal Beach  – California halibut, yellowfin croaker
  • South T-Pier, Morro Bay – Pacific mackerel, surfperch, jacksmelt
  • Venice Fishing Pier, Venice Beach, LA – Cackerel, halibut
  • Ventura Pier, Ventura – Corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel

For more information on fishing license requirements and the exception for fishing from piers in ocean waters, please see the California Fish and Game Code (FGC) 7145 and FGC 7153

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