Book Your Fishing Charter in Fort Bragg, CA

Book your fishing trip in Fort Bragg, CA and target species such as chinook salmon, rockfish, lingcod, and albacore tuna.

Book Your Fishing Charter in Fort Bragg, CA
Book Your Fishing Charter in Fort Bragg, CA
Team Guidesly

September 14, 2021, 3 min read

Updated on June 19, 2023

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Situated in the northern part of California along the Pacific Coast in Fort Bragg, a city gifted with a stunning natural vista and uniquely mild year-round weather. This California Historic Landmark is truly a West Coast destination like no other. No wonder it’s been a popular tourist destination since the early 1900s.

Here in Fort Bragg, you can experience a serene and rugged side to California. With its lush redwood forests and miles upon miles of beaches, it’s easy to forget that it’s just a three-hour drive from the bustling city of San Francisco. For your next road trip down the Pacific Coastline, make sure to include Fort Bragg in your itinerary. List down the breathtaking Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, the astounding Glass Beach, and a hike through the Fort Bragg Coastal Trail while you’re at it. And don’t forget about fishing. With its instant access to warm waters just a few miles off the Noyo Harbor shore, Fort Bragg is a fishing destination that you cannot miss.

Fort Bragg CA Fishing: A Great Fishing Destination for Both Experienced and Newbie Anglers

Start your day fishing in Fort Bragg by making your way to the Noyo Harbor. As one of the last four harbors still in operation in Northern California, Noyo Harbor does not disappoint. Right on the mouth of the Noyo River and on the receiving end of the Japanese current because of its unique location, Noyo Harbor offers deep warm waters even if you don’t venture too far out offshore.

Book a fishing charter specializing in chinook salmon, rockfish, lingcod, and albacore tuna, and your expert guide will lead you to the best spots to catch them. Fishing is great in Fort Bragg all year round, but if you would like to challenge yourself with some king salmon, make sure to head here from mid-June to mid-August when they’re at their peak. Rockfish and lingcod last a little longer from May to December and are a great fish species to target if you’re a beginner. 

If you’re willing to go on a full-day boat trip, ask your guide to bring you to Shelter Cove where you can try your hand at catching some Pacific halibut. They may not be as big here as they are in Alaska, but they are still worth a fight.

Winter fishing in Fort Bragg means catching some white sturgeon. They can be anywhere — from the deepest holes of the Noyo River to the shallow flats. 

But if you want to stay on the ground, you can still enjoy plenty of fishing on the piers or jetties of Noyo Harbor. Head over to the curve of the river for some brackish water fishing and catch some steelhead, starry flounder, as well as a variety of surfperch species like redtail, walleye, and silver surfperch.

Fishing while surrounded by lush nature? Fort Bragg has exactly that in the MacKerricher State Park. Right at the heart of the park is Lake Cleon where you can enjoy some freshwater fishing, as the lake is home to rainbow trout, brown bullheads, crappie, bluegill, and even catfish.

Marvel at the Wondrous Sights at Fort Bragg

1. Explore Fort Bragg’s Unique Attractions

Wander into the otherworldly sight of the Glass Beach - which is exactly as it sounds: a beach with shards of glass on the shore. Feel like the tourists from the 1900s while onboard the Skunk Train. Or know exactly why people are enamored with the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden. These are the top three attractions you need to check out if you’re in Fort Bragg.

2. Go on a Hiking or Biking Trip Along the Fort Bragg Coastal Trail

The best way to see the stunning vistas of Fort Bragg is by biking or hiking your way through it. Get on the Fort Bragg Coastal Trail, which is part of the larger California Coastal Trail. This five-mile paved road is wide and easily accessible. It’s a great way to see the city and do some wildlife watching as well.

Fish in Fort Bragg and beyond.