January 2026 Fishing Report, San Francisco Bay (#306)
Sturgeon Regulations: Only catch and release.
The season for Dungeness crab is now open. The recreational fishery for Dungeness Crab (Metacarcinus magister) is open south of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line through June 30, 2026. The daily bag limit is 10 crabs, and the minimum size limit is 5¾ inches. Dungeness crab may not be taken from San Francisco or San Pablo bays.
Crabs: No Dungeness crabs may be kept from inside the bay; you have to be outside the Golden Gate to keep them. Rock crabs are OK but not Dungeness. Know and follow the rules.
San Francisco Piers
Fort Point Pier — Traditionally a good pier for perch this time of the year and some years a very good pier for Pacific sanddab (typically happening some years good for flatfish during high rain years). However, most anglers will be crabbing for rock crabs. It can also be good for jacksmelt and small rockfish but most of the more prized species like stripers and halibut will largely be gone this time of the year. But, it can also be a bad pier for wind and rain. How To Get There: From Highway 101 the easiest way is to turn into the parking lot near the toll plaza at the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge, from there Battery E. Road winds down the hill to Lincoln Boulevard, turn and follow the road to the pier.
Fort Mason Piers — It’s mostly Jacksmelt and small rockfish. How To Get There: The entrance to the parking lot is at the intersection of Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street. From the north, Highway 101 and the Golden Gate Bridge, head east on Doyle Drive till you come to Marina Boulevard; follow it to the entrance of the park. From the south, Highway 101, take Van Ness Avenue north all the way to Bay Street, turn left and follow it to the park entrance.
San Francisco Municipal Pier – Now closed and probably just history. The pier, supposedly overseen by the National Park Service, but largely ignored and simply allowed to disintegrate over the years, was closed in October 2022 due to “structural damage.” There is a local group, “The Aquatic Park and Pier Project” that is attempting to find funds for repair but given the priorities in “The City” I don’t imagine they are getting too much encouragement from local authorities (and I hope I am wrong). It needs one of those Silicon Valley billionaires to pitch in a few dollars to make the repairs. How To Get There: From Highway 101 north, take Lombard Street to Van Ness Avenue, turn left and follow the street till it ends at the pier. From Highway 101 south, take Van Ness Avenue straight to the pier.
Pier 7 — A slow time for fish, mainly jacksmelt, but crabbing for rock crabs can be good. I imagine, given the weather, that not too many are fishing or crabbing. How To Get There: From the Bay Bridge follow the First Street exit and follow to The Embarcadero, then left past the Ferry Building to the pier. From the Golden Gate, take Lombard to Van Ness, turn left and go to Bay, turn right and follow to The Embarcadero, turn right and follow to the pier. From the south and Highway 101 take Van Ness and follow as listed above.
South Harbor Marina Pier — Jacksmelt should be available not much else. How To Get There: From the Bay Bridge (I80) heading into San Francisco take the Embarcadero exit and then turn right on the Embarcadero to the pier. From south on Highway 101 take exits marked for Fisherman's Wharf (First Street). This will take you to The Embarcadero. Once on the Embarcadero turn right and follow it all the way until you see Pacific Bell Park. The marina sits just north of the ballpark and the pier is located behind the marina parking lot. A left turn on Townsend will take you into a small parking lot that has some spaces available for the public; a right turn on Townsend will offer a few metered parking spaces. Coming up the Embarcadero from the south turn into the parking lot at Townsend Street (just past The Java House restaurant).
Agua Vista Pier — A small but cool pier sitting next to Chase Center, the home of the Warriors (and I remember one, now gone player catching a halibut at the pier). Given its size I imagine it’s lacking anglers during the rainy, windy weather. The main fish would be jacksmelt and small brown rockfish. How To Get There: Take the Embarcadero south past Pacific Bell Park to Third Street. Turn left and follow the road to its intersection with China Basin Street and then turn right (south) to the park and pier.
Heron's Head Pier — Jacksmelt should be available and possibly a starry flounder or leopard shark for those willing to put up with the weather. To Get There: Third Street to the Islais Creek Bridge and then left (east) on Cargo Way to the end where it meets Jennings Way. The park is located on the other side of the parking lot. To get to the pier take the first trail off to the right of the main trail (near the entrance); it will wind around to the pier. Candlestick Point — No report this month. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Candlestick Park exit and simply follow the road to the park.
Candlestick Point Pier – Jacksmelt will make up the majority of fish this time of the year. How To Get There: Since 2023, the Hunters Point Expressway has been blocked to cars. Enter the park by driving to the end of Gilman Ave and bearing left then right. A good way in is to enter ‘Candlestick RV Park’ into a GPS then continue southeast to the parking lot.
South Bay Piers
Brisbane Fishing Pier — Mainly jacksmelt. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Sierra Point Parkway and follow it to the end. Where it ends, near the Sierra Point Yacht Club, turn left and follow the unpaved road to the unpaved parking lot near the front of the pier (northeast end of this area).
Oyster Point Pier — Mainly jacksmelt, perch and and maybe a bat ray but all are hit and miss. How To Get There: Take Hwy 101 to South San Francisco/Oyster Point Blvd exit. Then one mile East on Oyster Point Blvd. Turn right on Marina Blvd and follow the road to the pier, which will be on your right side.
Robert E. Woolley Peninsula Park Pier — Jacksmelt and possibly bat rays should be available. How To Get There: From the south, take Highway 101 to the Broadway Ex it and go east to Airport Boulevard to Anza Boulevard, and follow it to the end, where the park is located. From the north, take Highway 101 to the Airport Boulevard exit, go east to Airport Boulevard, "then go south to Anza Boulevard where you turn left and follow Anza to the park (it is just past Rings and the Embassy Suites Hotel).
Redwood City Marina Pier — A good place to catch jacksmelt. How To Get There: Leave US 101 (Bayshore Freeway) at the Seaport Blvd. exit (also marked Port of Redwood City and Redwood City Marina) and drive east until you see Seaport Court. Turn left and go to the back of the parking lot behind the buildings.
Dumbarton Pier — Probably slow but some perch and jacksmelt should show up and this is one of the few places a sturgeon may make an appearance (remember it is catch and release). How To Get There: From I880 take Highway 84 west to the Paseo Padre Parkway exit; follow the exit and road south back under the highway, the road will turn into Thornton Avenue; follow it till you see the signs on your right indicating both the visitor center for the wildlife refuge and the pier; after entering the refuge, follow the road three miles to the pier.
East Bay Piers —
San Leandro Marina Pier — No report. How To Get There: From I880 go west on Marina Drive; turn left on Neptune Drive and go to South Dike where you will turn right; follow it to the pier.
Arrowhead Marsh Fishing Pier — Jacksmelt should be available during high tide conditions. How To Get There: Take I880 to Hegenberger Road then go west toward the airport; go to Doolittle Drive and turn right; follow it to Swan Way where you will turn right again; the entrance to the park is a third of a block down on your left. To get to the main pier simply follow the park road as it winds to the north; the road ends at the parking lot near the pier.
Doolittle Pier — Smelt at high tide? How To Get There: Take I880 to Hegenberger Road then go west toward the airport. At Doolittle Drive turn right and go just past Swan Way to the pier. There is limited parking at the front of the small pier.
Veterans Court Fishing Pier — Jacksmelt should make an appearance. How To Get There: From Alameda, take Hwy. 61 (Encinal Ave.) south as it turns right into Broadway and then left into Otis Dr., follow it toward the Bay Farm Island and then turn right at the first street past the bridge (Island Dr.) and then make another right just after your turn - onto Veterans Ct. Follow to the pier. From the south. Take I880 to Hegenberger Rd. (as though you're going toward the airport) and follow it to Doolittle Dr. Turn right and follow it all the way till you see the Alameda Municipal Golf Course. The first road past the golf course is Island Drive. Turn left and then make a quick right onto Veterans Court just after your initial turn. Follow it to the pier.
San Antonio Pier — Jacksmelt should be present and possibly a perch or two. How To Get There: From I880 take the 16th Avenue exit onto Embarcadero and turn left, follow the Embarcadero until you see the Executive Inn and the Motel 6, the pier is located between and behind the two motels.
Estuary Park Pier — Jacksmelt and possibly a bat ray. How To Get There: From Interstate 880 take Jackson west to Embarcadero, turn left and follow the street to the pier. The pier is eight blocks south of Jack London Square.
Port View Park Pier/Seventh Street Pier —Jacksmelt should be available as well as various small rockfish. How To Get There: From San Francisco leave Interstate 80 at the West Grand Avenue exit, soon you will see the Harbor Terminals exit, go south on Maritime Street till you hit Seventh Street, turn right and follow the street to the park and pier. From Interstate 880 take the Eighth Street exit and go west to Peralta, turn left on Peralta and then right onto Seventh Street; follow it to the park and pier.
Emeryville Piers (Chevy's and Shorebird Park) — No report although there are still some stripers in the area. How To Get There: Take Interstate 80 to the Ashby Avenue exit, then go south on the Frontage Road till you see Chevy's and the Shorebird Park area. Park on the Frontage Road.
Emeryville Marina Fishing Pier — Maybe a jacksmelt or two. How To Get There: From I80 take the Powell Street exit in Emeryville, head west and simply follow the road to the end where you will find a small park and the pier.
Berkeley Pier – Closed but it appears it will be reopened. How To Get There: Take I80 to University Avenue in Berkeley, turn west and follow the road to the pier.
Ferry Point Pier – Possibly some jacksmelt. How To Get There: From I-580, there are two main Point Richmond exits, Canal Boulevard and Castro Street (also the south terminus of the Richmond Parkway). Take either into the center of town where you should see Dornan Drive and a tunnel that says Ferry Point. Go through the tunnel and continue out to the end of Dornan Drive. The park is intersected by Dornan Drive and Brick Cove Road.
North Bay Piers
Point Pinole Pier — We need a reporter. Stripers should still be available. How To Get There: From I80 take the Hilltop (Richmond) exit; go west on the Richmond Parkway to the exit for Giant Highway and a sign for Point Pinole Regional Park.
New Vallejo Pier – No report this month although a lot of stripers are reported in the area. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Georgia Street exit all the way to the waterfront.
McNear Beach Fishing Pier (San Rafael) – Mainly jacksmelt, sharays (leopard sharks and bat rays), are showing up but stripers are still in the area. If lucky this is one of the best piers for (catch and release) sturgeon. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Point San Pedro Road east and follow it for approximately 8 miles to the park entrance and road.
Paradise Park Pier (Tiburon) — Once again jacksmelt will probably provide most of the action but sturgeon may show up. How To Get There: Take Highway 101 to the Tiburon exit (State Highway 131). Drive west on Tiburon Boulevard until you come to Trestle Glen Boulevard where you will turn left; follow this until you hit Paradise Drive where you turn right and drive a short distance to the entrance of the park.
Elephant Rock Pier (Tiburon) — A variety of small rockfish should be available as well as the possibility of a cabezon or other bottom dweller. This is also a very good pier for rock crabs just watch the size. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Tiburon exit west and follow Tiburon Boulevard (State Highway 131) to Paradise Drive where you will see the pier. The pier is at the corner of Paradise Drive and Mar West Street.
Fort Baker Pier (Sausalito) — Expect some perch, small rockfish, and bat rays on the bottom with jacksmelt on top. Crabs are also a possibility and many times more people are crabbing than fishing. You can keep the rock crabs but not the Dungeness and illustrated signs by the pier show what is and isn’t a legal crab. Some years this is also a very good winter time pier for Pacific sanddab and when present it’s easy to fill a bucket with fish. How to Get There: Take Alexander Avenue off of Highway 101. It is the last exit before driving onto the Golden Gate Bridge going south and the first exit after the Vista Point going north. Take Alexander Drive down the hill until you see Danes Drive and the, just before the tunnel, turn right onto Bunker Road and follow it down to the pier.
Sturgeon Regulations: Only catch and release.
The season for Dungeness crab is now open. The recreational fishery for Dungeness Crab (Metacarcinus magister) is open south of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line through June 30, 2026. The daily bag limit is 10 crabs, and the minimum size limit is 5¾ inches. Dungeness crab may not be taken from San Francisco or San Pablo bays.
Crabs: No Dungeness crabs may be kept from inside the bay; you have to be outside the Golden Gate to keep them. Rock crabs are OK but not Dungeness. Know and follow the rules.
San Francisco Piers
Fort Point Pier — Traditionally a good pier for perch this time of the year and some years a very good pier for Pacific sanddab (typically happening some years good for flatfish during high rain years). However, most anglers will be crabbing for rock crabs. It can also be good for jacksmelt and small rockfish but most of the more prized species like stripers and halibut will largely be gone this time of the year. But, it can also be a bad pier for wind and rain. How To Get There: From Highway 101 the easiest way is to turn into the parking lot near the toll plaza at the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge, from there Battery E. Road winds down the hill to Lincoln Boulevard, turn and follow the road to the pier.
Fort Mason Piers — It’s mostly Jacksmelt and small rockfish. How To Get There: The entrance to the parking lot is at the intersection of Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street. From the north, Highway 101 and the Golden Gate Bridge, head east on Doyle Drive till you come to Marina Boulevard; follow it to the entrance of the park. From the south, Highway 101, take Van Ness Avenue north all the way to Bay Street, turn left and follow it to the park entrance.
San Francisco Municipal Pier – Now closed and probably just history. The pier, supposedly overseen by the National Park Service, but largely ignored and simply allowed to disintegrate over the years, was closed in October 2022 due to “structural damage.” There is a local group, “The Aquatic Park and Pier Project” that is attempting to find funds for repair but given the priorities in “The City” I don’t imagine they are getting too much encouragement from local authorities (and I hope I am wrong). It needs one of those Silicon Valley billionaires to pitch in a few dollars to make the repairs. How To Get There: From Highway 101 north, take Lombard Street to Van Ness Avenue, turn left and follow the street till it ends at the pier. From Highway 101 south, take Van Ness Avenue straight to the pier.
Pier 7 — A slow time for fish, mainly jacksmelt, but crabbing for rock crabs can be good. I imagine, given the weather, that not too many are fishing or crabbing. How To Get There: From the Bay Bridge follow the First Street exit and follow to The Embarcadero, then left past the Ferry Building to the pier. From the Golden Gate, take Lombard to Van Ness, turn left and go to Bay, turn right and follow to The Embarcadero, turn right and follow to the pier. From the south and Highway 101 take Van Ness and follow as listed above.
South Harbor Marina Pier — Jacksmelt should be available not much else. How To Get There: From the Bay Bridge (I80) heading into San Francisco take the Embarcadero exit and then turn right on the Embarcadero to the pier. From south on Highway 101 take exits marked for Fisherman's Wharf (First Street). This will take you to The Embarcadero. Once on the Embarcadero turn right and follow it all the way until you see Pacific Bell Park. The marina sits just north of the ballpark and the pier is located behind the marina parking lot. A left turn on Townsend will take you into a small parking lot that has some spaces available for the public; a right turn on Townsend will offer a few metered parking spaces. Coming up the Embarcadero from the south turn into the parking lot at Townsend Street (just past The Java House restaurant).
Agua Vista Pier — A small but cool pier sitting next to Chase Center, the home of the Warriors (and I remember one, now gone player catching a halibut at the pier). Given its size I imagine it’s lacking anglers during the rainy, windy weather. The main fish would be jacksmelt and small brown rockfish. How To Get There: Take the Embarcadero south past Pacific Bell Park to Third Street. Turn left and follow the road to its intersection with China Basin Street and then turn right (south) to the park and pier.
Heron's Head Pier — Jacksmelt should be available and possibly a starry flounder or leopard shark for those willing to put up with the weather. To Get There: Third Street to the Islais Creek Bridge and then left (east) on Cargo Way to the end where it meets Jennings Way. The park is located on the other side of the parking lot. To get to the pier take the first trail off to the right of the main trail (near the entrance); it will wind around to the pier. Candlestick Point — No report this month. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Candlestick Park exit and simply follow the road to the park.
Candlestick Point Pier – Jacksmelt will make up the majority of fish this time of the year. How To Get There: Since 2023, the Hunters Point Expressway has been blocked to cars. Enter the park by driving to the end of Gilman Ave and bearing left then right. A good way in is to enter ‘Candlestick RV Park’ into a GPS then continue southeast to the parking lot.
South Bay Piers
Brisbane Fishing Pier — Mainly jacksmelt. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Sierra Point Parkway and follow it to the end. Where it ends, near the Sierra Point Yacht Club, turn left and follow the unpaved road to the unpaved parking lot near the front of the pier (northeast end of this area).
Oyster Point Pier — Mainly jacksmelt, perch and and maybe a bat ray but all are hit and miss. How To Get There: Take Hwy 101 to South San Francisco/Oyster Point Blvd exit. Then one mile East on Oyster Point Blvd. Turn right on Marina Blvd and follow the road to the pier, which will be on your right side.
Robert E. Woolley Peninsula Park Pier — Jacksmelt and possibly bat rays should be available. How To Get There: From the south, take Highway 101 to the Broadway Ex it and go east to Airport Boulevard to Anza Boulevard, and follow it to the end, where the park is located. From the north, take Highway 101 to the Airport Boulevard exit, go east to Airport Boulevard, "then go south to Anza Boulevard where you turn left and follow Anza to the park (it is just past Rings and the Embassy Suites Hotel).
Redwood City Marina Pier — A good place to catch jacksmelt. How To Get There: Leave US 101 (Bayshore Freeway) at the Seaport Blvd. exit (also marked Port of Redwood City and Redwood City Marina) and drive east until you see Seaport Court. Turn left and go to the back of the parking lot behind the buildings.
Dumbarton Pier — Probably slow but some perch and jacksmelt should show up and this is one of the few places a sturgeon may make an appearance (remember it is catch and release). How To Get There: From I880 take Highway 84 west to the Paseo Padre Parkway exit; follow the exit and road south back under the highway, the road will turn into Thornton Avenue; follow it till you see the signs on your right indicating both the visitor center for the wildlife refuge and the pier; after entering the refuge, follow the road three miles to the pier.
East Bay Piers —
San Leandro Marina Pier — No report. How To Get There: From I880 go west on Marina Drive; turn left on Neptune Drive and go to South Dike where you will turn right; follow it to the pier.
Arrowhead Marsh Fishing Pier — Jacksmelt should be available during high tide conditions. How To Get There: Take I880 to Hegenberger Road then go west toward the airport; go to Doolittle Drive and turn right; follow it to Swan Way where you will turn right again; the entrance to the park is a third of a block down on your left. To get to the main pier simply follow the park road as it winds to the north; the road ends at the parking lot near the pier.
Doolittle Pier — Smelt at high tide? How To Get There: Take I880 to Hegenberger Road then go west toward the airport. At Doolittle Drive turn right and go just past Swan Way to the pier. There is limited parking at the front of the small pier.
Veterans Court Fishing Pier — Jacksmelt should make an appearance. How To Get There: From Alameda, take Hwy. 61 (Encinal Ave.) south as it turns right into Broadway and then left into Otis Dr., follow it toward the Bay Farm Island and then turn right at the first street past the bridge (Island Dr.) and then make another right just after your turn - onto Veterans Ct. Follow to the pier. From the south. Take I880 to Hegenberger Rd. (as though you're going toward the airport) and follow it to Doolittle Dr. Turn right and follow it all the way till you see the Alameda Municipal Golf Course. The first road past the golf course is Island Drive. Turn left and then make a quick right onto Veterans Court just after your initial turn. Follow it to the pier.
San Antonio Pier — Jacksmelt should be present and possibly a perch or two. How To Get There: From I880 take the 16th Avenue exit onto Embarcadero and turn left, follow the Embarcadero until you see the Executive Inn and the Motel 6, the pier is located between and behind the two motels.
Estuary Park Pier — Jacksmelt and possibly a bat ray. How To Get There: From Interstate 880 take Jackson west to Embarcadero, turn left and follow the street to the pier. The pier is eight blocks south of Jack London Square.
Port View Park Pier/Seventh Street Pier —Jacksmelt should be available as well as various small rockfish. How To Get There: From San Francisco leave Interstate 80 at the West Grand Avenue exit, soon you will see the Harbor Terminals exit, go south on Maritime Street till you hit Seventh Street, turn right and follow the street to the park and pier. From Interstate 880 take the Eighth Street exit and go west to Peralta, turn left on Peralta and then right onto Seventh Street; follow it to the park and pier.
Emeryville Piers (Chevy's and Shorebird Park) — No report although there are still some stripers in the area. How To Get There: Take Interstate 80 to the Ashby Avenue exit, then go south on the Frontage Road till you see Chevy's and the Shorebird Park area. Park on the Frontage Road.
Emeryville Marina Fishing Pier — Maybe a jacksmelt or two. How To Get There: From I80 take the Powell Street exit in Emeryville, head west and simply follow the road to the end where you will find a small park and the pier.
Berkeley Pier – Closed but it appears it will be reopened. How To Get There: Take I80 to University Avenue in Berkeley, turn west and follow the road to the pier.
Ferry Point Pier – Possibly some jacksmelt. How To Get There: From I-580, there are two main Point Richmond exits, Canal Boulevard and Castro Street (also the south terminus of the Richmond Parkway). Take either into the center of town where you should see Dornan Drive and a tunnel that says Ferry Point. Go through the tunnel and continue out to the end of Dornan Drive. The park is intersected by Dornan Drive and Brick Cove Road.
North Bay Piers
Point Pinole Pier — We need a reporter. Stripers should still be available. How To Get There: From I80 take the Hilltop (Richmond) exit; go west on the Richmond Parkway to the exit for Giant Highway and a sign for Point Pinole Regional Park.
New Vallejo Pier – No report this month although a lot of stripers are reported in the area. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Georgia Street exit all the way to the waterfront.
McNear Beach Fishing Pier (San Rafael) – Mainly jacksmelt, sharays (leopard sharks and bat rays), are showing up but stripers are still in the area. If lucky this is one of the best piers for (catch and release) sturgeon. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Point San Pedro Road east and follow it for approximately 8 miles to the park entrance and road.
Paradise Park Pier (Tiburon) — Once again jacksmelt will probably provide most of the action but sturgeon may show up. How To Get There: Take Highway 101 to the Tiburon exit (State Highway 131). Drive west on Tiburon Boulevard until you come to Trestle Glen Boulevard where you will turn left; follow this until you hit Paradise Drive where you turn right and drive a short distance to the entrance of the park.
Elephant Rock Pier (Tiburon) — A variety of small rockfish should be available as well as the possibility of a cabezon or other bottom dweller. This is also a very good pier for rock crabs just watch the size. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Tiburon exit west and follow Tiburon Boulevard (State Highway 131) to Paradise Drive where you will see the pier. The pier is at the corner of Paradise Drive and Mar West Street.
Fort Baker Pier (Sausalito) — Expect some perch, small rockfish, and bat rays on the bottom with jacksmelt on top. Crabs are also a possibility and many times more people are crabbing than fishing. You can keep the rock crabs but not the Dungeness and illustrated signs by the pier show what is and isn’t a legal crab. Some years this is also a very good winter time pier for Pacific sanddab and when present it’s easy to fill a bucket with fish. How to Get There: Take Alexander Avenue off of Highway 101. It is the last exit before driving onto the Golden Gate Bridge going south and the first exit after the Vista Point going north. Take Alexander Drive down the hill until you see Danes Drive and the, just before the tunnel, turn right onto Bunker Road and follow it down to the pier.