Part of Fishing in San Diego, our guide to fishing, long-range sportfishing and whale watching in San Diego.
CDFW says no fishing license is needed on a public pier in ocean or bay waters, though size and bag limits still apply. Its San Diego list includes Shelter Island, Imperial Beach, Coronado, Embarcadero, Crystal Pier and Mission Bay Jetty North. Ocean Beach Pier is closed to the public.Checked October 23, 2026.
The Pier Rule
CDFW says a fishing license is not required when fishing from a public pier in ocean or bay waters, but all other regulations (minimum size, bag limits, report cards and seasons) apply, and pier anglers may use two rods and lines. Anglers under 16 never need a license. The City of San Diego says the same: where fishing is permitted from the pier, a license is not required but catch regulations are enforced. See license and limits.
Shelter Island Pier
Shelter Island Shoreline Park has a public fishing pier, restrooms, free and paid parking (Port meters required 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, excluding holidays), picnic tables, play equipment, a sand beach and a boat launch. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. The Port page lists a bistro and a bait-and-tackle shop, and says the boat launch is a several-acre facility with bait barges open 24 hours. CDFW lists it as a license-free pier.
Imperial Beach Pier
The City’s pier fishing rules: do not fish in closed areas; clean fish only at designated places; no casting above the rail; no more than two poles (drop lines count); no spears or bows; no glass. CDFW lists it as a license-free pier.
Coronado, Embarcadero, Crystal Pier and Mission Bay
CDFW’s free list also names the Coronado Fishing Pier, the Embarcadero Pier, Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach and Mission Bay Jetty North. Mission Bay Jetty North needs a license for the adjacent rock wall that touches land. Beyond these listings we do not have confirmed locations, hours or conditions for these four.
Ocean Beach Pier Is Closed
The City says the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier “is currently closed to the public and planned for replacement,” and a City release says it has been closed since it was damaged by high surf in October 2023. CDFW’s list marks it temporarily closed. Do not plan to fish from it.
What You Can Catch
CDFW describes year-round fishing for surfperches, croakers, California corbina and California halibut, among others. Limits: halibut 5 at 22 inches minimum; surfperch 20 combined; kelp and sand bass 5 combined at 14 inches. Where no limit is listed, 20 finfish with no more than 10 of any one species. Hook and line is not a legal method for crustaceans, and any lobster or crab taken that way must be returned immediately.
What We Could Not Verify
- Ocean Beach Pier’s length (1,971 feet) comes only from a search-engine summary. The City confirms only that a replacement would be about 2,000 feet and that the pier is closed. Reopening date not confirmed.
- Crystal Pier’s open or closed status, length, hours and address are not confirmed. A 2024 City memo about repairs appeared in search only.
- Coronado Fishing Pier and Embarcadero Pier locations, hours and current status are not confirmed. The City of Coronado pages returned access errors.
- Shelter Island Pier length and current closure status are not confirmed; launch fees are not stated.
- Imperial Beach: pier plaza hours and a 300-foot rule for surf anglers come only from search snippets. Pier length, address and restrooms are not confirmed.
- The current City fishing rule for Mission Bay is not confirmed; an old 1994 plan appendix (snippet only) said fishing was allowed in all areas except swimming areas, the watercraft area and bridges.
- Limits for Pacific mackerel, Pacific bonito, corbina and croaker are not confirmed here.
- Beach (not pier) fishing needing a license for ages 16 and up is our reading of the rules and is not confirmed on one CDFW page.
More in Fishing in San Diego
FAQ
Do I need a license to fish from a pier?
No, on a qualifying public pier in ocean or bay waters per CDFW. Size and bag limits still apply.
Is Ocean Beach Pier open?
No. The City says it is closed to the public and planned for replacement.
Sources
- CDFW: beach and pier fishing
- CDFW: Southern California limits
- Port of San Diego: Shelter Island Shoreline Park
- Port of San Diego: Shelter Island boat launch
- City of Imperial Beach: pier fishing
- City of San Diego: Ocean Beach
- City of San Diego: Pacific Beach
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.