San Francisco Bay Area fishing report for the week of October 1, 2026. Fall is a productive time on the Bay. The water is cooling, the bait is plentiful, and the stripers are feeding hard. At the same time, the fall salmon run is moving through the Delta. October offers a mix of options for Bay Area anglers.
What’s Hitting
What’s hot this week: striped bass are feeding in the bay and the Delta, chasing anchovies and herring. Halibut are still on the flats in the central bay and along the beaches. Fall-run salmon are moving through the Delta toward the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. Leopard sharks and sturgeon are also in the bay, and there are rockfish on the nearshore reefs outside the Golden Gate.
Where to Find Them
For stripers, fish the rock piles near Alcatraz and Angel Island, the Berkeley Flats, and the San Pablo Bay area, along with the Delta near Rio Vista. For halibut, the flats near Alameda, the Berkeley Flats, and the beaches outside the Golden Gate. For salmon, the Delta and the lower Sacramento River. For rockfish, the reefs off the Marin coast and near the Farallones.
Tides & Conditions
Tides in the Bay are strong and complex, and they drive the fishing. The last quarter moon this weekend softens them a bit. Water temperatures are in the low 60s. Fog and wind are common in the fall, so watch the forecast and be careful on the water.
Tackle & Tactics
For stripers, a soft plastic swimbait on a jig head, a live anchovy, or a trolled lure near the rock piles. For halibut, a live anchovy or a soft plastic bounced along the bottom on the flats. For salmon, a trolled spinner or a plug in the river. For rockfish, a shrimp fly rig or a jig near the reef.
Local Intel This Week
Public launches include the Berkeley Marina ramp, the Oyster Point Marina ramp, and the Loch Lomond Marina area in San Rafael. Shore anglers have good access at the Berkeley Pier area, the Pacifica Pier, and the Fort Point area. Fish are concentrated near the rock piles for stripers and on the flats for halibut. California has complex fishing regulations, including salmon closures and rockfish depth rules, so check current California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations and seasons before fishing.
This Week’s Tip
On the Bay, the stripers feed on the moving tide, especially around structure. Fish the edges of the rock piles on the moving water, and let your bait drift naturally with the current. The bass will often be on the down-current side of the structure.
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