Long Beach, CA Fishing: An Urban Waterfront Playground in Southern California

Located right in the heart of Southern California, Long Beach is a charter city found in the south of Los Angeles County and is part of the Gateway Cities region. As the city comprises eight neighborhoods and is tucked in along the waterfront overseeing the Pacific Ocean, it has been voted as one of America’s ‘Most Walkable Cities’. Before it was settled by the Spanish during the 16th century, the city was inhabited by indigenous people, dominantly by the Tongva people. It was originally named Wilmore City but because of its long and wide beaches, it was named Long Beach in 1988. In 1897, the city was officially incorporated and became a seaside resort with agricultural uses. 

Almost having sunshine all year round, Long Beach offers ideal weather, exciting attractions, unique events as well as gorgeous settings, boasting a location right next to the sea. Being notable for its beaches, Long Beach lives up to its name by having five and a half miles of clean, sandy beaches that spans from Downtown to Belmont Shore. On the shore, one can enjoy walking, running, biking and even blading through while water activities include swimming, sailing, kayaking and jet skiing. The city also offers many more attractions that cater to those interested in history, arts and culture from the RMS Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific to Rancho Los Alamitos and more. For anglers, Long Beach’s ideal seaside placement within reach of the Pacific Ocean, as well as numerous nature parks, make it an exemplary fishing destination.

Long Beach Fishing

Whether one is looking to fish onshore or offshore, Long Beach can have all of it covered. Anglers can experience fishing at a place that has a big-city feel with a small-town charm in a one of a kind sparkling oceanfront setting when they visit Long Beach.

It won’t be difficult to find a great spot to hook different kinds of species in Long Beach as it is surrounded and possesses productive waters. Horseshoe Kelp is a great place to start as anglers can opt to surf cast from the beaches’ shores or sail out to sea using a boat to catch a variety of fish such as yellowtail, white sea bass, calico bass, giant black sea bass, sand bass, barracuda, bonito, California sheephead, sculpin, halfmoon, whitefish and treefish. Horseshoe Kelp is best known for its great deep sea fishing but has access to over thirty angling spots that are easily found throughout the expanse of the beach near Los Angeles Harbor. Tons of fishing charters are also available for those who want or need guides to fish the most fished kelp bed in the whole Southern California range. Bottom fishing is also prevalent there due to kelp plants and saltwater algae that grow quickly on the rocky beds being part of the fish’s diet. Fly lining live bait is the best way to catch fish from Horseshore Kelp and the most popular baits used include live squid, anchovies, sardines and shrimp. For those fishing onshore, there are plenty of fish that can be found feeding along Belmont Shore beaches which are great for fly fishers and light tackle enthusiasts. Sand crabs, ghost shrimp, mussels and bloodworms are the best bait used when surf fishing from there. The Belmont Shore Pier that extends out to Long Beach Harbor is also the perfect spot for sportfishing. Some of the species that can be caught from the shores of Horseshoe Kelp include rockfish, halibut, corbina and yellowfin croaker. 

Another great offshore spot where anglers and charters launch from downtown Long Beach is Palos Verde. White sea bass and monster calico bass are the prime targets in the cape’s waters. Other fish that can be found there are yellowtail, yellowfin, halibut, barracuda, bonito, barred surfperch, leopard shark as well as freshwater species like largemouth bass and bigmouth buffalo from its reservoir located by Palos Verdes Drive in San Pedro.

An inlet of the Pacific Ocean, Alamitos Bay’s calm waters are perfect for catching halibut, corbina and sharks. Anglers can fish from its sandy beaches or rocky jetties but can also opt to go out into the sea to fish by boat from the Marina found on the east part of Long Beach.

Anglers wanting to stay on land but still want to hook saltwater game can fish from Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier that is located at Belmont Heights. The end of the 1650-feet pier has access for sport fishermen. Bait and tackle shops as well as fish cleaning stations are available at the pier where anglers can fish for halibut, barracuda, shark, sand bass, croaker and perch.

Away from the sea, anglers have many options to fish within the city including at El Dorado Regional Park where they can catch freshwater fish from El Dorado Lake like largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie, carp as well as stocked rainbow trout. Anglers can fish from the lake’s banks or even use watercraft with four launch ramps available. The lake also has access to the Pacific Ocean and can be accessed from 605 Freeway South.

In East Long Beach, the Long Beach Casting Club operates the Municipal Fly Casting Pool located at Recreation Park. The clear water, fishless pond offers anglers an area to practice their fly casting skills whilst being surrounded by an endless stretch of green grass against a backdrop of mountains and palm trees. 

Anglers can have the chance to take part in local annual fishing tournaments in Long Beach. The Coastal Social delivers fishing tournaments every year to promote and contribute to CCA California’s conservation efforts. Membership and participation helps fight for angler rights, fisheries research, artificial reefs, fish tagging and future events. There is also the Youth Fishing Derby held at El Dorado Regional Park that is free for children to participate in every November. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Long Beach, CA

The top 10 fish species found in Long Beach, California are yellowtail, yellowfin, halibut,  white sea bass, calico bass, black sea bass, barracuda, bonito, corbina, and California sheephead.

Seasonal Fishing

Before planning a fishing trip in Long Beach, check the local fishing regulations first. Most species that can be caught in local waters can be fished for all year round with some having daily creel limits. Yellowtail are best caught between July and September. White sea bass and sheepshead are best targeted during February to June. To fish for calico bass, it’s best to chase them from April to August when the waters are warm. From March to November, anglers can catch barracuda and bonito but they are most active from June to September. California halibut is easily caught all year round due to a healthy supply found in local waters. During late July and early August, yellowfin arrive in Southern California ports within striking range. The prime season for corbina fishing is between May and September. For those targeting California sheephead from the shore, their season is open all year while boat anglers can catch the fish from March to December. Rockfishing is also fantastic throughout the year. 

Revel in Long Beach's Several Attractions

Long Beach is home to so many attractions that not only cater to those who like to visit exciting and scenic beach cities. History, arts and culture are prevalent throughout the city with so many things for people to do when they visit.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Because of it being adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and having an abundance of fishing spots, fishing charters are readily available in Long Beach. Fishing spots onshore like piers also have bait and tackle shops as well as fishing cleaning stations nearby. Boat rental services can also be acquired.

2. Go Ghost Hunting at the Queen Mary

The 1936 Art Deco ocean liner is one of Long Beach’s most popular attractions. The RMS Queen Mary is permanently docked at the Port of Long Beach after being used as a troop transport vessel during World War II. Now, the liner has been converted into a hotel and maritime museum where many claim they’ve encountered strange and unusual sites and occurings that visitors can see for themselves.

3. Visit Historical Sites

The City of Long Beach owns Ranchos Los Alamitos and Ranchos Los Cerritos which are historical sites that have been established since the 1800’s. The sites are filled with buildings built out of adobe since the city was settled by the Spanish and Mexicans. Agricultural buildings, a working blacksmith’s shop, acres of gardens, as well as a California history research library can be found at the sites.