Sport fishing boats on Shelter Island, Pt. Loma

Saltwater Fishing

San Diego Bay

Throughout San Diego Bay, contours and underwater architecture provide great hidden spots to reel in a rewarding catch.  Many varieties of fish populate our waters, including Spotted Bass, Sand Bass, Bonefish, Corvina, Halibut, and sharks, to name just a few.

Marinas and docks are plentiful along the shores of the bay, providing some shady spots and favorite haunts for prize catch.  Trolling along the Boat Channel running along the eastern shore of the San Diego Bay can prove fruitful, as well as the vicinity of moorings, docks and sand flats near the multiple ‘islands’ situated around the bay.  The Coronado Bridge also seems to have abundant catch in its vicinity.

Anglers must be aware of their location at all times, however, as San Diego Bay has numerous restricted areas that fall under military jurisdiction.  Be aware of your location at all times, and the regulations of the waters you are fishing in.

Mission Bay

Since Mission Bay was dredged in the 1940’s, it has been a playground for water sports.  There are about 27 miles of shoreline, and 19 miles of those are sand.  After what can be a drastic grade change near the beaches, most areas of the bay are only about 12 feet deep, while some areas (including the Mission Bay Channel, Mariner’s Basin and Quivera Basin) can be as deep as 20 feet.  Primarily sandy-bottom, high traffic areas such as the Mission Bay Channel are lined with rocks.  Outside of some select areas designated for swimming and sailing, fishing is generally permitted in most areas of the bay.  Shore fishing is also permitted, with parking areas close at hand throughout the parks.

Anglers in Mission Bay may be lucky to find Spotted Bay Bass, Sand Bass, Calico Bass, Sculpin, Halibut, Leopard Sharks, Bat Rays, or Croaker (among others).

While Mission Bay waters are open 24 hours a day, many parking areas close overnight and may be locked.  Fees are generally not collected in Mission Bay or at its boat ramps.  A valid fishing license is required, with a saltwater stamp.  Boast speeds on the bay are generally limited to 5 m.p.h., outside of designated water-ski areas and those where boats are not permitted; buoys indicate regulations throughout the bay.

Fuel docks are located at Dana Landing and Islandia Marina.

New to fishing?  Check out the Marine Information on the California Department of Fish & Game website.

Piers

Want to cast a line?  In San Diego, you can do just that, without even getting your feet (too) wet!  Many piers offer gear rentals and bait on site, so it’s easy to pick up a fishing pole and get to work.  These locations are listed running south to north throughout coastal San Diego County.

* Unless otherwise noted, fishing license is required for pier fishing in San Diego county.

Imperial Beach Municipal Pier

This pier requires no fishing license.  A lucky line may pull in anything from herring, mackerel or perch to halibut or corbina.

Coronado Ferry Landing Pier

A small fishing pier at the Coronado Ferry Landing Marketplace offers a good variety of fish, as well as plenty of shops and other amenities.

Bayside Park Pier

Chula Vista – Located at the entrance to the marinas between Bayside and Bayfront Parks is a rather long fishing pier, a great spot for fishing the southern area of the San Diego Bay

Pepper Park Fishing Pier

National City – Located at the mouth of the Sweetwater River, a small fishing pier is located in Pepper Park, adjacent to the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge

Embarcadero Marina Park Pier

Downtown – South Embarcadero Park, adjacent to the San Diego Convention Center, offers a fishing pier in the heart of San Diego.

Shelter Island Pier

Point Loma – This small pier is located in the heart of San Diego’s fishing center on Shelter Island, where anglers may pull in mackerel, bass, herring, guitarfish, or bat ray.

Ocean Beach Municipal Pier

This long concrete pier has plenty of room, so you won’t feel crowded even on busier days.  Anglers might catch mackerel, bass, or even lobster from the pier in OB, where you can fish without a license.

Crystal Pier

Pacific Beach – The Crystal Pier Hotel holds the rights to this beautiful historic location, but it is open to the public daily from 8 am until sunset, with a bait & tackle shop on site.

Oceanside Pier

License-free fishing is allowed on this long pier, where one might catch smelt, perch, or guitarfish on a lucky day.  Watch surfers from above as they catch waves rolling in to Oceanside’s City Beach.

Find a treasure trove of information on the website Pier Fishing in California!

Boat Launch Ramps

Have a boat, but looking for a fresh fishing hole?  Here is a list of boat ramp & launch facilities throughout San Diego County’s coast.  Don’t have a boat to call your own?  Many facilities have boat rentals on site or in the vicinity, so check out our Boat Rental page to get started.

San Diego Bay

Mission Bay

Oceanside Harbor

Find more information on all things fishy in San Diego at SDFish.com!

Sport Fishing Charters

If you want to get right to the pay-off, it might be best to let the professionals guide you to the best feeding spots for game fish.  Consider booking a half, three-quarter, full-day or multi-day excursion with a boat from one of these fishing terminals.

Fisherman’s Landing - Point Loma

H&M Landing – Point Loma

Seaforth Landing – Mission Bay

Helgren’s Sportfishing – Oceanside

The information here is provided as a convenience only, and believed to be correct at time of publication. Final verification is soley the responsibility of the reader.

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