San Francisco Bay, CA: More Than Just Gold

Known as the Bay Area, San Francisco Bay is famous for being a major port city with a rich history. Additionally, it was the epicenter of the American Gold Rush during the 19th century. The bay is home to Silicon Valley, Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, and other tech giants.

Some of the city's most iconic landmarks include the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. It is also famous for its stunning views, lively nightlife, and delicious restaurants. Furthermore, the bay has a mild climate and plenty of natural beauty year-round.

San Francisco Bay is located in Northern California and covers an area of approximately 550 square miles (1,425 square kilometers). San Mateo County borders it to the south, Marin County to the north, Santa Clara County to the east, Alameda County to the west, and Solano County to the southeast. There are more than 2 million residents in the city.

San Francisco Bay is home to some of California's best fishing spots. There are several places to catch steelhead, catfish, or bass. Several fish species of saltwater fish inhabit the bay, such as tarpon, red drum, jack mackerel, cobia, snapper, and flounder.

San Francisco Bay Fishing

San Francisco Bay is California's largest estuary, connecting San Francisco with nearby cities like Oakland and Berkeley. Most of the water in the Bay Area comes from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. As water travels through the mountains, it picks up minerals that produce an alkaline environment. This unique environment keeps the bay very fresh and clean.

The Alameda Creek, Mokelumne River, Sacramento River, San Leandro Bayfront, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board are some of the watersheds in San Francisco Bay. The watersheds in this area supply drinking water to the region. In addition, they serve as a habitat for wildlife and play an essential role in protecting the local environment.

Many people visit the San Francisco Bay Area for its stunning scenery, scenic views, and recreational activities. Among these activities is fishing. There are many types of fishing in the Bay Area. A few of them are crabbing, clamming, surf fishing, and kayak fishing. There are at least 100 boat ramps spread throughout the bay. Most of these boat ramps are on public land, but private docks are also available for boat owners.

The coastline along San Francisco Bay extends over 4,500 miles, making it one of the best fishing spots in the country. You should consider fishing at San Francisco Bay for your next ideal fishing trip. The place has long been known for its variety of fish species. Having thousands of lakes, ponds, and rivers in California makes it easy to find places to fish.

Angel Island, south of San Francisco near Yerba Buena Island, is a great spot to fish. This 

small island has a rich history, with its first settlers building their homes back in 1846. The island was a part of the National Park Service in 1963. Today, the island is a popular fishing spot. There are both commercial and non-commercial fisheries on the island. Halibut, lingcod, rockfish, striped bass, and sturgeon are the most common fish species.

Between Contra Costa County and Alameda County in California is San Pablo Bay. The bay has the most extensive estuary system in Northern California, which provides excellent fishing opportunities. Over two hundred fish species live in this bay, including striper, pacific salmon, perch, rockfish, and herring. The bay is designated a National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Carquinez Strait is a body of water at the mouth of the Sacramento River in the northern San Joaquin Valley. The river flows into the strait from the north, providing water to the area. Many species of marine life live in the Carquinez Strait, such as sea otters, harbor seals, and gray whales. Anglers can catch striper, yellowtail flounder, sculpin, sole, croaker, bass, blueback herring, sand lance, and cod.

Alcatraz Island lies off the coast of the city. It was once a federal prison until 1962. It is a national park where visitors can hike and see birds. Another popular activity at Alcatraz is fishing. Anglers can fish on the pier or in the waters around the island. There are striper, perch, rockfish, and sturgeon to be caught in the nearby waters.

The Tiburon Peninsula ranks among the top ten fly fishing destinations in the United States. Visitors come to Tiburon for its rivers and streams. These waterways are home to many fish species, including rainbow trout, brown trout, steelhead, bull trout, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and carp.

The Marina Green Park, located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, is a haven for many fish species, including striper, pacific salmon, and rockfish. Fish are abundant throughout the year but are especially plentiful in springtime when they migrate from the ocean to spawn.

Pier 39, located near Fisherman's Wharf, is another place to fish in San Francisco. A favorite since the early 1900s, the pier offers visitors the chance to catch some fresh seafood while taking in the lovely views of Alcatraz Island. Anglers line the docks searching for halibut, perch, and striped bass.

The Pescadero Creek flows through Pescadero, California, and empties into the Pacific Ocean at Point Arena, California. It is known for its excellent fishing and has several public access points. The most common fish species are pacific halibut, striped bass, lingcod, sole, pacific mackerel, and flounder.

Coyote Creek flows through Antioch and Lafayette, California, and is a tributary of the Mokelumne River. The creek is home to bluegill, largemouth bass, and spotted bass.

Top 10 Fish Species in San Francisco Bay, CA

The top 10 fish species found in San Francisco Bay, CA, are california sheephead, white sturgeon, pacific herring, rainbow smelt, rock cod, chinook salmon, white croaker, calico bass, black drum, and golden trout.

Seasonal Fishing

The fishing season in San Francisco Bay varies throughout the year. In general, the best fishing season is from May to October. You will notice more fish moving into the shallower areas of lakes and ponds during this time. Additionally, the temperatures do not get too low during this time, so it is less likely for you to catch a cold if you spend all day outdoors.

Spring is the best season for catching salmon. Anglers can catch halibut all year long, but April through May are the best months to fish them. Salmon runs peak in June and July, and then they decrease until winter.

October is the best time to go trout fishing in San Francisco Bay. They are often found near creek and river mouths. Look for areas where water flows into the bay. These areas usually have deeper waters that help hold more fish food.

November is an excellent month for bass fishing. Usually, they are found near rocky outcrops and shallow reefs.

Enjoy the Wonders of San Francisco Bay From Wharf to Park

1. Walk Along the Embarcadero

Located about four miles from downtown San Francisco, this waterfront promenade offers some of the city's best views. There are plenty of late-night shops, restaurants, and bars in the area. There is no better place to enjoy a drink than sitting outside and watching the sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge.

2. Explore the Presidio

The Presidio was once a military base and now is home to a National Park. Its diverse landscape provides locals and tourists alike with endless activities. Everyone will find something to enjoy with over 400 acres of trails, golf courses, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

3. See the Sights in Sausalito

The picturesque town is located across the bay from San Francisco and offers stunning views. You can take a ferry ride across the water or drive Highway 1 to see its quaint buildings and bike paths.