Antioch, CA Fishing: Where Nature Meets History

Antioch is one of the oldest municipalities in the East Bay region. It was built by a ranch owner named John Marsh in 1848, hence its previous name, “Marsh’s Landing”. By 1849, Rev. William Wiggins Smith and Rev. Joseph Horton Smith founded a village west of Marsh’s Landing and called it “Smith’s Landing”. When William became the new village’s minister in 1851, he suggested that it should be renamed “Antioch,” which was derived from a Syrian village wherein the followers of Christ were first called Christians.  

Initially, Antioch was the shipping point for Rancho Los Méganos – one of the largest ranches in California. Everything changed when substantial amounts of coal were discovered in Antioch in 1854, completely changing the economy as coal mining became an essential industry. The discovery of coal in Antioch paved the way for nearby places and funded infrastructure development such as railroads. In 1863, locals found copper and petroleum within Antioch’s territory but were soon depleted, diminishing the copper and petroleum industry.

Antioch remains a historical destination, housing several historic landmarks, including the El Campanil Theatre, Rivertown Art Center, Black Diamond Mines, and the Antioch Historical Museum. Some are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, attracting a high volume of local, interstate, and international tourists into Antioch daily. Antioch also has around 31 parks and its wildlife refuge, preserving a diversity of endangered flora and fauna.

Antioch has developed a reputation among anglers due to its numerous marinas, piers, boatyards, and yacht clubs. It also provides land and recreational water activities for individuals and families to enjoy, making Antioch a solid fishing destination in California.

Antioch Fishing 

Antioch is a hotspot among anglers due to the multitude of fishing destinations that it offers. Its many water features and fishing spots include the Antioch Public Fishing Pier and the Antioch Bridge Pier, which attract many visitors because of their accessibility from high-traffic commercial areas. While all water bodies in Antioch require a fishing license, it is cost-effective to invest in one because of the diversity and increased volume of fish that anglers could easily enjoy.

Antioch Public Fishing Pier is a go-to location for locals since it is free to access and less regulated than other Antioch piers. It is usually crowded within the pier, as camping around the area is not prohibited. Locals note that it is still safe to visit as campers are generally respectful. Anglers flock to Antioch Public Fishing Pier late in the afternoon since it offers an exquisite view of the California sunset. During these hours, anglers can catch an abundance of fish, particularly largemouth bass, salmon, and white sturgeon. While anglers prefer shrimp and worms in other Antioch piers, anchovy is an excellent bait for  Antioch Public Fishing Pier. 

Antioch Bridge Pier, also known as the Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline Pier, is a 550-foot pier that provides anglers access to the San Joaquin River. The park is at the north end of Bridgehead Road in Oakley. Although it is a regional park regulated by the East Bay Regional Parks system, it is open 24 hours for anglers seeking to fish from the pier. A fishing license is required for anglers 16 years or older and is known to be a spawning location for almost all common Antioch fish species such as striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, steelhead trout, white sturgeon, green sturgeon, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, and salmon.

Antioch Marina Pier is a striped bass haven frequented by anglers despite being smaller than Antioch’s other piers. It is a 100 by 10 feet pier built-in 1990, situated adjacent to Kimball Island. It allows anglers to fish within the San Joaquin River and is rich in shoreline vegetation such as grass and wild orchids. Several water obstructions make it challenging for anglers to fish in Antioch Marina Pier, explaining why fewer anglers prefer fishing from there. However, since the crowd in Antioch Marina pier usually is smaller, anglers are provided with an opportunity to practice their skills and test out new rigs and artificial lures. 

Since most Antioch water bodies are accessible through piers, common techniques used by anglers are spinning or baitcasting since they allow anglers to fish straight out of the pier. Anglers employing these techniques use shrimp as bait as fish bite quicker than other bait. Some anglers seeking to catch larger fish use bottom fishing techniques, but it is not expected since it requires more complex rigs. However, anglers who would like to try bottom fishing could use sliding sinkers with cut anchovy or shad as bait as they effectively target game fish in massive sizes such as striped bass.

Like other water bodies in the United States, anglers must know California fishing regulations when fishing in Antioch. As the town experiences a high volume of anglers fishing from its piers daily, the need to preserve fish habitats is increasing. While fishing is a heavily celebrated sport in Antioch, fishing responsibly would enable the next generation of anglers to experience it too.

Top 10 Fish Species in Antioch, CA

The top 10 fish species to catch in Berkley, MA are striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, steelhead trout, white sturgeon, green sturgeon, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, and salmon.

Seasonal Fishing

The abundance of fish in Antioch waters allows anglers to enjoy fishing year-round. Since all Antioch piers are regarded as striped bass hotspots, anglers could target them between April to mid-June as they are most abundant during this period. However, thanks to the excellent California weather, anglers can fish any day as water bodies are typically packed regardless of the season. 

Experience Nature Like Never Before in Antioch

Antioch is where the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers meet before draining into the Pacific Ocean. As a result, you can expect some enchanting sunset views from Antioch's many piers, as well as the stunning landscape in this portion of Contra Costa County, which has a strong agricultural history owing to its vast and fertile terrain.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Fishing in Antioch is best done with the help of an experienced local angler, regardless of your skill level. Easily find the best fishing spots and learn local history first-hand through the people that know it best.

2. Indulge in the Antioch Culture Through the El Campanil Theatre

El Campanil, which translates to "The Tower of Bells," is a local theater situated in Antioch's old downtown center. It has a quintessential facade that makes it seem like it was frozen in time, with a seating capacity of approximately 1,000 people, and features a stage for live acts and a single-screen cinema. Since its inception in 1928, the theater has hosted several notable guests, including Debbie Reynolds and The Three Stooges. 

3. Witness the Breathtaking Black Diamond Mines

The Black Diamond Mines have a long and storied history dating back to the 1860s. Today, they are conserved by the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, an 8,533-acre stretch of land that includes a historic cemetery that stands as a memorial to original occupants who died due to diseases, mining disasters, and other significant events. The area is suitable for hiking, picnicking, and nature research, with daily guided excursions available to guests.

4. View the Windmills from the Montezuma Hills

The Montezuma Hills, located to the north of Antioch, offers a unique hiking experience and access to Wildlife Companions – a lion and tiger sanctuary that helps rescue zoo or show animals. While bird watching is a popular activity in Montezuma Hills, it also offers an incredible view of the Shiloh Wind Power Plant wind turbines, harnessing sustainable electricity for Antioch and its surrounding areas.