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Pier Fishing Rules

Part of San Diego Beaches, our guide to San Diego beaches, coast and safety rules.

California does not require a fishing license on a public pier in ocean or bay waters, but size limits, bag limits and report cards still apply. Anglers under 16 need no license anywhere. The state lists San Diego free piers. The Ocean Beach Pier is closed.Checked October 23, 2026.

No licenseon a public pier
Under 16no license needed
2 rodsallowed on a pier
CLOSEDOcean Beach Pier
Pier license ruleNo license on a public pier in ocean or bay waters. Minimum size, bag limits, report cards and seasons apply. Two rods and lines may be used on a pier.
ChildrenA license is required for anyone 16 or older; anglers under 16 do not need one. Report cards are still required for abalone, spiny lobster, sturgeon, steelhead and some salmon.
Free pier list (San Diego County)Imperial Beach Pier; J Street Marina (Chula Vista); Pepper Park (National City); Coronado Fishing Pier; Embarcadero Pier; Shelter Island Pier; Ocean Beach Pier (temporarily closed); Mission Bay Jetty North; Crystal Pier (Pacific Beach); Oceanside Pier, Harbor Pier and East Jetty.
Rock wallsMission Bay Jetty North and Oceanside East Jetty require a license for the adjacent rock wall touching land.
California halibut5 fish (south of Point Sur), 22 inch minimum total length.
Surfperch20 combined, no more than 10 of any one species; redtail surfperch 10 1/2 inch minimum; shiner perch separate limit of 20.
Kelp bass, barred and spotted sand bass5 in any combination, no more than 4 barred sand bass; 14 inch minimum total length (or 10 inches alternate length).
Default limitWhere a species has no listed limit: 20 finfish combined, not more than 10 of any one species; 35 of any one shellfish species.
Spiny lobsterSeason 6 p.m. Oct. 2, 2026 through March 17, 2027; 7 per day; 3 1/4 inch minimum; report card required for everyone, including under 16.

What Counts as a Public Pier

The state defines a public pier as publicly owned, connected to land, with free public access, and built or used mainly for fishing. Hook and line is not a legal method for crustaceans, so any lobster or crab taken that way must be returned immediately.

Species

The state lists year-round fishing for surfperches, croakers, California corbina and California halibut, among others, in Southern California.

Pier Pages

See Imperial Beach, Shelter Island, Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Free Fishing Days: one research check found 2027 dates of Saturday July 3 and Saturday September 4, 2027 on a state page, while a second check read the page and found no dates. Not confirmed; check the CDFW free fishing days page.
  • Limits for Pacific mackerel, Pacific bonito, corbina and croaker are not confirmed. Open the current CDFW regulations booklet.
  • Beach or surf fishing from shore (not a pier) was derived to need a license for anglers 16 and older. Confirm with CDFW.
  • Take-a-kid-fishing programs from the state or the Port were not found.
  • Crystal Pier, Shelter Island Pier and the Coronado Fishing Pier current open status are not confirmed.

More in San Diego Beaches

FAQ

Do I need a license to fish from a pier in San Diego?

Not on a public pier in ocean or bay waters, per the state. Size and bag limits and report cards still apply.

Is the Ocean Beach Pier open for fishing?

No. It is closed to the public.

Sources

  1. CDFW: Beach and Pier Fishing
  2. CDFW: Fishing Licensing
  3. CDFW: Southern California Fishing Map
  4. City of San Diego: Beach Regulations

Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.