While a fishing license is not required at a public pier, all other regulations (including minimum size, baggage limits, report cards, and seasons) apply while fishing on a public pier. You should also know that California offers some days a year when you can fish for free. Visit the CDFW website for this year's dates. Keep in mind that baggage limits and size restrictions apply even when you don't need a fishing license.
If you're looking for an introductory California fishing experience that the whole family can enjoy, pier fishing is a great option. All you need is basic saltwater fishing equipment to get started. Get some simple tips for fishing on California's docks, check state regulations, and learn about some of the species you can catch. With so many great fishing piers in California, choosing the best of the best isn't an easy task, you could probably write an entire book on the subject.
It doesn't matter if you've just started fishing, or even if you're an expert angler, dipping a line on one of California's fishing piers is something you should try at least once in your life. The Newport Beach pier isn't as glamorous as other California piers, but for the most puristic fishing enthusiasts, it's the best there is. Just 80 miles south of the Oregon border, Trinidad's Seascape Pier is one of the best fishing piers in Northern California. There are a couple of restaurants nearby that serve guests delicious fish soups.
All right, with that out of the way, let's take a look at some of the best fishing piers in California. Thanks to the many fishing piers California has to offer, the state's best fisheries are right at your fingertips. In Northern California, options range from rock fish, sharks and California halibut to Jacksmelt, Surf Smelt and Surfperch. If you're the type of angler who likes to fish in a lively and noisy way, the pier Santa Monica is the place for you.
The entertainment capital of the world, it is also home to several fishing opportunities, and deep-sea fishing in Los Angeles is world class. When it's time to finish, you can clean and fillet whatever you caught at the dock's cleaning station. While a fishing license is not required, keep in mind that all other rules apply (including minimum sizes, baggage limits, report cards and seasons). Shaped like a horseshoe, Redondo Beach's fishing pier offers plenty of space for anglers to move.
