Monterey County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Monterey Bay
A deep, productive bay on the central California coast — rockfish and lingcod on the reefs, California halibut on the sandy flats, and white seabass in the kelp, with salmon offshore in season. Fished from boats and the Monterey and Santa Cruz wharves. Live tide and water temperature from the Monterey station.
Live · updated
Top picks today
California Halibut & White Seabass — tied at the top (49/100)
2 species tied for best of 3 tracked at Monterey Bay.
Small Craft Advisory issued June 5 at 3:19PM PDT until June 7 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS San Francisco CA
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:09 AM | High | 4.8 ft |
| 9:01 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 4:34 PM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 8:30 PM | Low | 3.1 ft |
Species at Monterey Bay
3 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 California Halibut Marginal conditions for California Halibut. In season 49/100
What's helping
- 59°F water — inside california halibut's active range
- incoming tide — california halibut prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- 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.
#1 White Seabass Marginal conditions for White Seabass. In season 49/100
What's helping
- 59°F water — inside white seabass's active range
- incoming tide — white seabass prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- 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.
#3 Rockfish Skip the Rockfish trip today. In season 3/100
What's hurting
- 59°F water — above rockfish's active range (45–58°f) — fish move deep
- 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.
Location Info
Water Body
Pacific Ocean
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
California
Coordinates
Notes
California: groundfish seasons and depth limits change by management period; halibut 22" minimum. Confirm the current RCG rule.
Local reports & rules for Monterey Bay: California CDFW fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Monterey Bay?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Monterey Bay you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Monterey Bay?
Monterey Bay is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Rockfish, California Halibut, White Seabass. 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 Monterey Bay?
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 Monterey Bay 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 Monterey Bay have?
Monterey Bay has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. California: groundfish seasons and depth limits change by management period; halibut 22" minimum. Confirm the current RCG rule.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Monterey Bay?
state agency regulations apply at Monterey Bay. 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 Monterey Bay tidal water?
Yes. Monterey Bay sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.