Best Times & Seasons to Fish near Dana Point (Complete Guide)
Dana Point is one of the best fishing destinations on the California coast. Knowing when certain species of fish bite can make a huge difference in your success and enjoyment.
The best times to fish near Dana Point are typically during the early morning and late afternoon hours when fish are more active. It is also beneficial to fish during the spring and summer months when various species are abundant along the coast and inshore areas.
| Month | Dana Point Fishing Location |
| January | San Clemente Pier – Target species include yellowfin croaker and barred surfperch, with potential for halibut and surfperch along the sandy shores. |
| February | Newport Harbor – Fish for halibut, spotted bay bass, and sand bass in the calm waters of the harbor. |
| March | Dana Point Harbor – Fish for various species including halibut, calico bass, yellowtail, and barracuda within the protected harbor. |
| April | Dana Point Harbor – Fish for a variety of species including halibut, calico bass, yellowtail, and barracuda within the protected harbor. |
| May | Crystal Cove State Park – Target barred surfperch, corbina, and yellowfin croaker along the scenic coastline. |
| June | Laguna Beach – Explore the kelp beds for calico bass, kelp bass, and rockfish. |
| July | Doheny State Beach – Fish for halibut, corbina, and perch along the sandy shores of this popular beach. |
| August | San Juan Capistrano Bay – Look for halibut, spotted bay bass, and croaker in the bay’s calm waters. |
| September | Dana Point Jetty – Target perch, corbina, and croaker around the rocks and jetties. |
| October | Dana Point Headlands – Fish for halibut, calico bass, and rockfish near the rugged shoreline. |
| November | Capistrano Beach – Look for halibut, surfperch, and corbina along the sandy beaches. |
| December | Salt Creek Beach Park – Target halibut, corbina, and surfperch in the productive surf zone. |
In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Dana Point. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.
Best Times: Lakes to Fish near Dana Point
Lake Mission Viejo – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish.
Laguna Niguel Lake – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and bluegill.
Irvine Lake – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and catfish.
Lake O’Neill – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish.
Lake Elsinore – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, striped bass, and catfish.
Lake Perris – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, striped bass, and catfish.
Diamond Valley Lake – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, striped bass, and trout.
San Vicente Reservoir – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill.
Lake Skinner – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, striped bass, and catfish.
Lake Hodges – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish.
Lake Murray – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill.
Sutherland Reservoir – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish.
Dixon Lake – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, trout, and catfish.
Lake Wohlford – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish.
Lake Poway – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, trout, and catfish.
Lake Jennings – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, trout, and catfish.
El Capitan Reservoir – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie.
Lake Miramar – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, trout, and catfish.
Lake Murray – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill.
Lake Sutherland – Best to fish year-round for largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.
Best Times: Saltwater Fishing near Dana Point
Dana Point Harbor – Best to fish year-round for a variety of species including halibut, calico bass, yellowtail, and barracuda.
San Clemente Pier – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, yellowfin croaker, and surfperch.
Newport Harbor – Best to fish year-round for a variety of species including halibut, spotted bay bass, and sand bass.
Crystal Cove State Park – Best to fish year-round for species such as barred surfperch, corbina, and yellowfin croaker.
Laguna Beach – Best to fish year-round for species such as calico bass, kelp bass, and rockfish.
Salt Creek Beach – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, corbina, and perch.
San Onofre State Beach – Best to fish year-round for species such as surfperch, corbina, and croaker.
San Juan Capistrano Bay – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, spotted bay bass, and croaker.
Dana Point Headlands – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, calico bass, and rockfish.
Dana Point Jetty – Best to fish year-round for species such as perch, corbina, and croaker.
Dana Strand Beach – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, perch, and croaker.
Capistrano Beach – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, surfperch, and corbina.
Doheny State Beach – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, corbina, and perch.
Salt Creek Beach Park – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, corbina, and surfperch.
Aliso Beach – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, perch, and croaker.
Thousand Steps Beach – Best to fish year-round for species such as perch, corbina, and croaker.
Monarch Beach – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, corbina, and perch.
Poche Beach – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, perch, and croaker.
Salt Creek Point – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, corbina, and surfperch.
Treasure Island – Best to fish year-round for species such as halibut, calico bass, and sand bass.
Recommended Fishing Guides in Dana Point
These Dana Point-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional 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 Charters | Location |
| RockenReel Sportfishing | Dana Point, CA |
| Dana Point Custom Fishing Charters | Dana Point, CA |
| Off The Grid Charters | Dana Point, CA |
| Dana Wharf Sportfishing – Boardroom | Dana Point, CA |
| Pacific Mistress Sportfishing | Dana Point, CA |
| Dana Wharf Sportfishing – Current | Dana Point, CA |
| Ohana Sportfishing Charters Dana Point | Dana Point, CA |
| Sealutions Sportfishing LLC, Newport Beach | Newport Beach, CA |
| Pacific Venture Charter Service | Oceanside, CA |
| Fish Taxi Sportfishing | Oceanside, CA |
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 if you want to create your combo.
Species Seasonal Breakdown
Yellowtail Amberjack
Yellowtail can be fished near Dana Point year-round, but the best time is spring and summer. Yellowtail are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Dana Point for yellowtail fishing include the kelp forests near Laguna Beach, the reefs off the coast of Crystal Cove State Park, and artificial reefs such as the Anderson Reef.
Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin tuna can be found near Dana Point during the summer, particularly from June to August. They are most active during early morning and late afternoon hours. Some of the best locations near Dana Point for bluefin tuna fishing include offshore areas along the continental shelf, the San Clemente Basin, and the Osborn Bank.
Sheephead
Sheephead can be fished near Dana Point year-round, but the best time is spring and summer. Sheephead are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Dana Point for sheephead fishing include rocky reefs, kelp forests, and underwater structures like shipwrecks.
Rockfish
Rockfish can be fished near Dana Point year-round, but the best time is during the spring and summer months. Rockfish are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Dana Point for rockfish fishing include rocky reefs, underwater structures like shipwrecks, and artificial reefs such as the Anderson Reef.
Lingcod
For a complete breakdown of Los Angeles fishing, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
Lingcod can be fished near Dana Point year-round, but the best time is during the spring and summer months. Lingcod are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Dana Point for lingcod fishing include rocky areas around reefs, kelp forests, and underwater structures like shipwrecks.
California Halibut
The best time to fish for halibut near Dana Point is during the summer months from June to August. Halibut are most active during early morning and late afternoon hours. Some of the top locations near Dana Point for halibut fishing include the Dana Point Harbor, the coastlines near Salt Creek Beach, Doheny State Beach, and the San Clemente Pier.
Calico Bass
The best time to fish for calico bass near Dana Point is during the summer months, from June to September. Calico bass are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Some top locations near Dana Point for calico bass fishing include the kelp forests off the coast, the rocky reefs near Crystal Cove State Park, and the artificial reefs such as the Dana Point Harbor Breakwater.
Sand Bass
The best time to fish for sand bass near Dana Point is spring and summer, from March to September. Sand bass are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Some top locations near Dana Point for sand bass fishing include the artificial reefs such as the Anderson Reef, the coastal kelp forests, and the rocky areas around Salt Creek Beach and Aliso Beach.
Barracuda
The best time to fish for barracuda near Dana Point is during the summer months, from June to September. Barracuda are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Some top locations near Dana Point for barracuda fishing include the kelp beds near Laguna Beach, the reefs off Crystal Cove State Park coast, and the artificial reefs such as the San Clemente Pier and the Dana Point Harbor Breakwater.
Mako Shark
The best time to fish for mako sharks near Dana Point is during the summer months, from June to September. Mako sharks are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Some top locations near Dana Point for mako shark fishing include the offshore waters along the continental shelf and the San Clemente Basin.
Thresher Shark
The best time to fish for thresher sharks near Dana Point is during the summer months, from June to September. Thresher sharks are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Some top locations near Dana Point for thresher shark fishing include the offshore waters along the continental shelf and the San Clemente Basin.
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass can be fished near Dana Point year-round, but the best time is spring and fall. Largemouth bass are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Dana Point for largemouth bass fishing include freshwater lakes such as Lake Mission Viejo, Lake O’Neill, and Lake Laguna Niguel.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Los Angeles, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in San Diego, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in San Francisco, check out this guide.
Best Fishing in Dana Point on Seasonal Basis
Winter
- In the winter months near Dana Point, from December to February, some of the best locations for fishing include Dana Point Harbor, Salt Creek Beach, Doheny State Beach, and the San Clemente Pier. Anglers can target a variety of fish species such as halibut, calico bass, sand bass, and rockfish.
Spring
- In the spring season near Dana Point, from March to May, some of the best locations for fishing include Dana Point Harbor, Salt Creek Beach, Doheny State Beach, and the San Clemente Pier. Anglers can target various fish species such as halibut, calico bass, yellowtail, and rockfish.
Summer
- In the summer months near Dana Point, from June to August, some of the best locations for fishing include Dana Point Harbor, Salt Creek Beach, Doheny State Beach, and the San Clemente Pier. Anglers can target various fish species such as yellowtail, white seabass, calico bass, and bonito.
Fall
- In the fall season near Dana Point, from September to November, some of the best locations for fishing include Dana Point Harbor, Salt Creek Beach, Doheny State Beach, and the San Clemente Pier. Anglers can target various fish species such as halibut, calico bass, yellowfin tuna, and barracuda.
