San Mateo County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Half Moon Bay State Beach offers public shoreline and pier access on the Pacific coast in San Mateo County. Common targets include california halibut, barred surfperch, white seabass, rockfish, and lingcod.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Rockfish & Lingcod — tied at the top (61/100)
2 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Half Moon Bay State Beach.
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 5 at 5:49AM PDT until June 6 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Francisco CA
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:25 AM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 9:29 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 5:09 PM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 9:49 PM | Low | 3.2 ft |
Species at Half Moon Bay State Beach
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 2 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Rockfish Workable day for Rockfish. In season 61/100
What's helping
- 51°F water — right in rockfish's ideal range
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Sebastes spp. — The Pacific “RCG complex” — dozens of Sebastes species worked over rocky reefs, kelp, and structure from jetties to offshore banks. The backbone of West Coast bottom fishing; dropped baits and shrimp flies take them.
Prefers. Water 45–58°F (ideal 52°F) · either tide · depth 20–300 ft.
- Daily creel
- 10
10 fish/day in combination (rockfish, cabezon, greenlings), with species sub-limits (e.g. 1 copper, 2 canary). Boat-based season is typically Apr 1–Dec 31; shore fishing is open year-round.
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Lingcod Workable day for Lingcod. In season 61/100
What's helping
- 51°F water — right in lingcod's ideal range
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Ophiodon elongatus — A toothy, aggressive ambush predator of Pacific rocky reefs and kelp — hammers jigs and live bait fished near the bottom. Often caught while rockfishing; big “lings” are a prize from jetties and nearshore reefs.
Prefers. Water 45–58°F (ideal 52°F) · either tide · depth 20–300 ft.
- Min size
- 22"
- Daily creel
- 2
22" total length minimum, 2/person/day. Season tracks the groundfish complex (typically Apr 1–Dec 31 for boats; shore open year-round).
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#3 Barred Surfperch Workable day for Barred Surfperch. In season 59/100
What's helping
- 51°F water — inside barred surfperch's active range
- incoming tide — barred surfperch prefers incoming tide
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Amphistichus argenteus — The staple of the California surf — caught right in the wash on sand crabs, bloodworms, and small grubs. A year-round, shore-accessible fishery that needs no boat; best on a building tide into structure and troughs.
Prefers. Water 50–68°F (ideal 60°F) · incoming tide · depth 1–12 ft.
- Daily creel
- 20
No minimum size. Part of the 20-fish general finfish bag (no more than 10 of any one species).
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#4 California Halibut Skip the California Halibut trip today. In season 18/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — california halibut prefers incoming tide
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 51°F water — below california halibut's active range (55–72°f)
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Paralichthys californicus — The signature flatfish of the California coast — a sandy-bottom ambush predator drift-fished with live bait or bounced with jigs along beaches, bays, and channel edges. Bites best on a moving tide.
Prefers. Water 55–72°F (ideal 64°F) · incoming tide · depth 4–60 ft.
- Min size
- 22"
- Daily creel
- 5
22" total length minimum, 5/person/day (3 south of Point Conception).
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#4 White Seabass Skip the White Seabass trip today. In season 18/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — white seabass prefers incoming tide
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 51°F water — below white seabass's active range (58–72°f)
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Atractoscion nobilis — The largest croaker on the Pacific coast — a prized, hard-fighting gamefish hunted around kelp beds and squid spawns, often at first light or under a strong moon. Targeted with live squid, sardines, and surface irons.
Prefers. Water 58–72°F (ideal 65°F) · incoming tide · depth 10–100 ft.
- Min size
- 28"
- Daily creel
- 3
28" total length minimum, 3/person/day — but only 1 fish/day from Mar 15–Jun 15 south of Point Conception.
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Pacific Ocean
Region
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
California
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Half Moon Bay State Beach: California CDFW fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Half Moon Bay State Beach you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
Half Moon Bay State Beach is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: California Halibut, Barred Surfperch, White Seabass, Rockfish, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Half Moon Bay State Beach against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Half Moon Bay State Beach have?
Half Moon Bay State Beach has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
state agency regulations apply at Half Moon Bay State Beach. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Half Moon Bay State Beach tidal water?
Yes. Half Moon Bay State Beach sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.