Best Times & Seasons to Fish San Francisco (Complete Guide)

San Francisco is one of the best fishing destinations on the west coast. Knowing when certain species of fish bite can make a huge difference in your success and enjoyment.

The best season to fish near San Francisco is May through October for chinook salmon, striped bass, halibut, lingcod, and rockfish. Wintertime is typically the slowest fishing season near San Francisco.

Fish Species	Best Times to Fish Near San Francisco
Chinook Salmon	May through October is the best fishing window for kings near coastal San Francisco.
Striped Bass	June through November is the hottest season for coastal striped bass in salt and freshwater.
Halibut	The best season for coastal halibut fishing is April through August.
Rockfish	June through December is the best fishing season for SF rockfish numbers.
Lingcod	June through September is the peak time to catch lingcod near SF Bay.

The fishing season also extends into winter and fall, depending on the fish species you want to catch. The best season to catch the striped bass is during early winter. You can also go fishing for leopard fish during the summer down to fall.

Best Times to Fish San Francisco

Fishing in San Francisco runs through all seasons of the year. The season you choose for fishing should depend on the type of fish you want to catch. There is virtually no season without its designated fish species in the water. So, all you have to do is to choose the preferred season for your fishing.

You can go fishing in January through August to make a good catch. Catch your preferred fish from the winter season down to summer or the beginning of Autumn. You can also make a good catch during other months in San Francisco.

Picking San Francisco as your fishing spot and picking the best season for your fish species will only get you halfway to your fishing success. You also need to know the best time of the day to go fishing, as this will take you the other half. Knowing the best time of the day to fish in San Francisco will assure you of quality fishing success.

The time of the day you fish should depend on the fish species you want to catch. Some fish species are active during the day, while some are active during the night. The active time of the fish species you want is when you should go fishing; you will be assured of more luck.

Recommended Fishing Charters in San Francisco

These San Francisco-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charter	Type of Fishing Offered
Warrior Poet Sportfishing	Inshore & Offshore
Nautilus Excursions	Inshore & Offshore
Argo Sportfishing	Inshore & Offshore
Durban Princess Sport Fishing	Inshore & Offshore
Reel Time Charters	Inshore & Offshore
SF Bay Sportfishing San Francisco	Inshore & Offshore

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic to create your combo.

San Francisco Species Breakdown: Best Time

San Francisco is one of the best places to visit if you want to enjoy your angling activities. It is the seating place for many fishing spots that include varieties of fish species. You will find different fish species in San Francisco, even the one you least or don’t expect.

Here are some fish species you will find in San Francisco;

Chinook Salmon

The chinook salmon is one of the favorite fish species for every angler in San Francisco. The chinook salmon, also known as the king of all salmon, is the most prized catch in the city. It is popular for its tasty meat, commercial price, and fighting energy.

Fishing the chinook salmon is best done during the summer. This is the season where the salmon are active the most and take the bite heavily. Fishing from May down to October can provide you with great yield as your fishing reward.

Catching the chinook salmon requires the right time of the day. To make a good catch, you should set out during the early hours of the morning. Chinook is always active during the mornings and always ready to take a bite. You can fish during this time to make a great catch in San Francisco.

There are several places you can fish chinook salmon in San Francisco. One of these places is San Francisco bay. The bay includes varieties of fish species and an abundance of chinook salmon. You can grace your fishing adventure by visiting the bay and making a nice catch of the king.

Striped Bass

If you are an angler and you are in San Francisco, there is no way you shouldn’t know about the striped bass. It is one of the most common fish species you will find in the waters of San Francisco. You can go into the waters to fish the striped bass like a pro, beginner, or enthusiast.

As much as the striped bass can be easy to catch, you can also record a bit of failure if you fish during the wrong season. The summer and fall bring the best yield when it comes to striped bass fishing. You should set out to catch the striped bass from June through November.

Fishing in the morning and late afternoon always brings the best deals for striped bass in San Francisco. You should prepare your fishing gear and move into the waters to make a good catch of striped bass. Striped bass is sensitive, so you should use attractive bait to catch them in the morning.

Fishing the striped bass can be done in different locations in San Francisco. San Francisco is abundant in striped fish, so you can visit almost any fishing spot to make a good catch. One of the places to visit is the raccoon strait, a perfect place for your striped bass fishing.

Halibut

Halibuts are one of the most popular fish species you will find in San Francisco. They have tasty meat, are fun to reel in, and can be very large. You can make a good catch of halibuts in the waters of San Francisco, provided you put into consideration the necessary factors.

Fishing halibuts in San Francisco is best done during the late spring till the end of summer. You can enjoy your fishing starting from late April into August. This time of the year provides the best tidal movements and conditions for the best halibut fishing.

Fishing halibuts work best during the early hours of the morning and late hours of the evening. It brings better luck to fish the halibuts during these times than during other times of the day. You can also fish halibuts during the slack tides, two hours after, and two hours before high and low tides.

There are several fishing spots to catch halibuts in San Francisco. You can visit the Crissy Field to catch plenty of halibuts and other fish species. You can also check out the Berkeley Flats to explore your halibut catching skills.

Rockfish

The rockfish is also a common species of fish you will find in the waters of San Francisco. The rockfish provides fabulous meat for consumers and a good commercial price for anglers. It is a perfect choice of fish to make in San Francisco.

You can catch the rockfish anytime throughout the year in San Francisco. But the season that provides the highest yield in the summer through Autumn. Fishing rockfish in San Francisco should be done in June through December. You will get the least rockfish fishing result from January to March.

The best time of the day to catch the rockfish is early in the morning before 10 am. This is the time when the rockfish are most active, and they heavily take the bite. You should set out early in the morning to make a good catch of the rockfish in the waters of San Francisco.

There are different places to catch the rockfish in San Francisco, but one of the most popular sites is Farallon Island. This island provides an abundance of rockfish and other fish species. You can record huge fishing success by visiting Farallon island for your rockfish fishing activities in San Francisco.

Lingcod

Lingcod is another popular fish species you will find in the waters of San Francisco. They are a type of coastal fish that resides in dense communities of algae. They also provide tasty meat and good market price for consumers and anglers.

Summer is also the best season to catch lingcod in San Francisco. You can also extend your lingcod fishing into the autumn season to make a good catch. Go fishing for lingcod from June through September to make a good catch.

The morning also brings the most success when catching lingcod in San Francisco. You should prepare your fishing gear and set out to catch lingcod in the morning. You can also have other fish species as a bonus catch during this time.

Catching lingcod can happen at different locations in San Francisco. You can visit the San Francisco Municipal Pier to catch lingcod. You can also visit other places in San Francisco to catch lingcod and other fish species.

Best Time of the Day to Fish San Francisco

Fishing in San Francisco can be awesome. And this only happens when anglers choose the right time of the day to make their catch. You can also make good catches and experience successful fishing in San Francisco by choosing the right time of the day to catch them.

The best time of the day to fish in San Francisco is in the early hours of the morning. You should go fishing before the sun comes out and heat the waters. You can also choose to carry out your fishing activities at night or late in the evening.

San Francisco Fishing & Tidal Impacts

The tide is also a factor that can affect fishing in San Francisco. You have to know the best time to fish during the tides. It is because the tidal movement can affect your fishing positively or negatively; this you will decide.

The best time to fish in San Francisco is during the slack tides. This is the time before or after a high or low tide. Fishing during these times will bring more fishing success than other tidal movements.

For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish the Oregon Coast, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Storms & San Francisco Fishing

The storm is also an important factor to consider when fishing in San Francisco. One of the best times to fish is after the storm. The fish are most active during this time and are ready to bite. You can have higher success when fishing after the storm in San Francisco.

Is Winter Fishing Good or Bad in San Francisco?

Winter is one of the times you can fish in San Francisco. You can catch various fish species during winter. Visit the waters of San Francisco from December through February.

Night Fishing in San Francisco

San Francisco supports night fishing. Many anglers set out at night to catch various species of fish. You can also visit the waters at night through all seasons of the year to make great catches. You can also visit different fishing spots in San Francisco at night to enjoy your fishing trip.

Shore & Surf Fishing

Shore fishing is also a common practice in San Francisco. You can visit various fishing spots in San Francisco to perform shore fishing and make it a huge success. You can catch as many fish as you want at the shores of San Francisco.

Top 5 Fishing Spots in San Francisco

There are several fishing spots in San Francisco. Let’s talk about five of them.

• Berkeley Flats: The Berkeley Flats is one of the best places to fish in San Francisco. It is one of the places you will find striped bass, white seabass, and other fish species. Visit Berkeley Flats to enjoy your fishing in San Francisco.
• Candlestick Park: Candlestick park is a good fishing spot for outdoor fishing enthusiasts. It is also one of the places you will find the striped bass, flounder, and many other fish species.
• Marin Islands: The Marin Islands is a Natural Wildlife Refuge where you can find multiple fish species for your fishing adventure. You can explore every of your fishing fantasies and desires at the Marin Islands.
• Fisherman’s Wharf: The Fisherman’s Wharf is arguably the most popular fishing spot in San Francisco. It is one of the best places to find most fish species in San Francisco; You can enjoy your fishing activities by visiting the wharf.
• The Farallon Islands: You cannot talk about fishing near San Francisco or mention The Farallon Island. If you are looking for a good spot to fish lingcod, the Farallones can be a worthy option.

Booking Charters in San Francisco (Best Times)

Fishing in San Francisco is fun, but you can make it more fun by booking the perfect charter. Booking a charter in San Francisco can hype the fun you get on your fishing trip. It eliminates stress and other factors that can affect your fishing activities.

Several charter agencies can help you on your fishing adventure. You only have to make the right charter choice and give your fishing activities a touch of perfection. Enjoy the ease, assured success, and excellence of your fishing adventure by booking the right charter.

Best Seasons to Go

Booking a charter in San Francisco requires more than getting a ticket and making payments. It requires more for the success of your fishing or other activities. You need to know the best time or season to book a charter in San Francisco.

Several times to book a charter in San Francisco, but one of the best seasons is the summer. The summer is one of the best seasons to book a charter in San Francisco. It offers the best climatic conditions and factors that aid fishing and other activities.

The summer also happens to be the busiest season in San Francisco. Many people visit this fascinating city during the summer for different purposes. Some people come for business, some come to enjoy their vacation, some come for fishing, and others have their own reasons.

For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Portland, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Morning vs. Afternoon

You have to know the best time of the day to book a charter. Booking a charter at the wrong time can bring stress, frustration, and even reduced success to your fishing activities. You need to assure yourself of convenience, comfort, and success by booking your charter at the right time.

Choosing between the day and the night can be very easy. However, choosing between morning and afternoon can be very tricky, which is why you have to consider the right factors when choosing the best time to book a charter in San Francisco.

You can either book a charter in the morning or afternoon, depending on your activities. Fishing in Francisco is mostly better in the morning, so if you are an angler, the best time to book a charter is in the morning. The afternoon is always best for tourists as they see and experience most of what they want.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch fish in San Diego, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best spots to catch striped bass in California, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best spots to catch salmon in California, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best charters in San Francisco, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Los Angeles, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Seattle, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Vancouver, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in California, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Astoria, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Dana Point, please check out this helpful article I wrote.