Orange County, CA Fishing: Angling in the Heart of Southern California

Orange County is situated in Southern California, within the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Irvine are the most populous. Orange County has six cities by the Pacific coast, including Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente. Although its area is primarily suburban, it is the second most populated county in California, with Northern and Central Orange County very urbanized and dense. Orange County got its name during the 19th century to endorse it as a semi-tropical paradise and a place where anything can grow. 

‘The OC’ is a bustling tourist destination, home to manicured beach towns, esteemed theme parks, a renowned arts scene, and Californian cuisine. With 42 miles of stunning beaches, Orange County boasts breathtaking oceanfront views. Some of the world’s most popular attractions, like Disneyland and California Adventure, are in Orange County. It also covers the national protected areas of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge and Cleveland National Forest. The county is regarded as the cultural center of the surfing world, showcasing a century-old surfing culture that is alive and thriving to this day. Anglers will have no problem finding excellent fisheries in Orange County because of its location in the Pacific Ocean.

Orange County Fishing 

Miles of the ocean and several lakes in Orange County provide anglers ample opportunities to enjoy fishing from the shore or by boat. With its proximity to the sea, deep sea fishing is a must-do for those planning their next angling adventure in the area. 

About 25 miles from Orange County’s coast is Santa Catalina Island. The waters in between are where anglers can do most of their deep sea fishing. It covers the county area and the Los Angeles County area. The coves and reefs that line the shores of both coasts make bountiful habitats for baitfish like smelt, Pacific jack mackerel, and Pacific sardine that draw in large fish like yellowtail amberjack and white sea bass. Warm waters can produce even larger fish such as striped marlin, yellowfin, and bluefin tuna. Anglers can also spot orange garibaldi near the shores and piers, but they cannot be caught because it is under protection and is a State Marine Fish. Other species to target are calico bass, leopard sharks, mako sharks, skipjack tuna, bigeye tuna, and albacore tuna. Anglers can also go surf casting from the beaches or pier fishing at docks with miles of coastline open for public fishing access. Yellowtails respond well to all kinds of bait; they can even be caught using metal jigs. White sea bass can be found near shores, while calico bass gathers around rocky structures and kelp beds. Shark anglers are urged to tag and release fish they catch as they are prone to overfishing. Tuna species are known to be challenging games to catch in the area. Anglers will have great luck trolling with a fluorocarbon leader and live bait to reel them in.

Anglers keen to fish from miles of Orange County’s beachy shores can easily do so as long they have a fishing license. Fish that one can target onshore include surfperches, croakers, California corbina, and California halibut. The county’s prime spots for surf fishing are; Bolsa Chica’s tidal inlet channel in its south end, Huntington Beach, 15th Street in Newport Beach, the jetty in Santa Ana River, and San Clemente State Beach. 

Orange County offers a lot of areas for pier fishing. Seal Beach Pier in Old Towne is one of the longest wooden piers in the state. Common species fished from the pier are corbina, perch, mackerel, halibut, and topsmelt. Sometimes there are also sharks swimming around. One can also hook white croaker, black croaker, barred sand bass, and barracuda from the pier. Those fish, including topsmelt, should not be consumed as the dock is within the red zone due to high levels of toxins. Another excellent site is Huntington Beach Pier, where anglers can hook tomcod, queenfish herring, white sea bass, salema, topsmelt, jacksmelt, halibut, shovelnose shark, leopard shark, thresher shark, barred sand bass, calico bass, Pacific jack mackerel, Pacific sardine, bat rays, spiny dogfish, barracuda, bonito, and the occasional striped bass, yellowtail, mako shark, and blue shark. Baitcasting using live bait and jigging are popular ways to catch those fish from the pier. Other piers anglers can check out the Newport Beach Pier and Balboa Pier in the Balboa Peninsula and San Clemente Pier.

Freshwater anglers won’t miss out when they visit Orange County because it is home to several freshwater lakes. One of the best areas in Laguna Niguel Lake is an artificial lake mainly used for fishing and recreation. The 44-acre lake has been stocked with channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and rainbow trout; anglers can also target crappie and common carp from its waters. Fishing is only allowed from the shoreline and designated areas. People are not allowed to bring their boats, but a boat rental service is available. Another excellent place for freshwater fishing is the Santa Ana River Lakes. Day and night fishing is open six days a week except for Thursday, when the lakes are stocked with fish. In their waters, there are rainbow trout, channel catfish, blue catfish, tilapia, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, sturgeon, bluegill, and carp. There are catch limits to certain fish with some species for catch and release only. A cove and a few beach areas make casting a line from the shore. Docks provide boat access for those who want to fish offshore.

Top 10 Fish Species in Orange County, CA

The top 10 fish species found in Orange County, California, are yellowtail amberjack, white sea bass, striped marlin, yellowfin, bluefin tuna, calico bass, California corbina, California halibut, rainbow trout, and channel catfish.

Seasonal Fishing

Because of its ideal climate, anglers can target most fish species local to Orange County all year. Yellowtails and calico bass are some of the best fish to catch any time of the year. White sea bass season starts in March and peaks in the summer. Tuna fishing begins around June, with albacore and bluefin tuna arriving in local waters first. When the water gets warmer, yellowfins follow. Around when tuna abound in the waters, that’s when anglers can also fish for sharks. The best time to fish for corbina is between May and September. Recreational fishing for halibut is open from May to November or until the quota is reached. Freshwater fish such as rainbow trout, channel catfish, and bass in Orange County are also year-round targets because most are stocked and maintained all year.

World-Class Attractions in Orange County

Priding itself as a tourist center, Orange County offers countless diverse attractions to satisfy any taste.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

With the Pacific Ocean in reach and several lakes dotting the area, Orange County is home to many fishing charters that anglers can book. Boat rental services are also widely available, whether it be for saltwater or freshwater fishing. Piers also host bait and tackle shops and fishing cleaning areas.

2. Endless Beach Fun

Orange County has 42 miles of beaches that act as a vibrant hub for marina activities and water sports. Huntington Beach is known as Surf City, USA, with 10 miles of coastline considered a surfer’s paradise. Corona Del Mar in Newport Beach offers spectacular views with many beaches and tidepools. Laguna Beach is a popular scuba diving destination. 

3. Themed Amusements

Orange County is home to the world-renowned Disneyland. The original Disney theme park in Anaheim continues to live up to its name as ‘The Happiest Place on Earth,’ welcoming millions of visitors every year. Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park is also located in the county and has been dubbed ‘The Friendliest Place in the West.’ It hosts over 165 rides, shows, and attractions.