San Francisco Bay Area fishing report for the week of September 24, 2026. Fall is one of the best times of the year to fish the Bay Area. The anchovies are thick, the striped bass are feeding, and the weather is often at its best, with less fog and lighter winds than summer. It’s a great time to be on the water.
What’s Hitting
This week, striped bass are feeding on anchovies throughout the Bay, from the Golden Gate to the Delta. Halibut are on the flats in the central Bay, and there are some big fish being caught. Outside the Gate, rockfish and lingcod are on the coastal reefs. Sturgeon are starting to show in the North Bay, and shore anglers are finding surfperch along the beaches.
Where to Find Them
Stripers are around the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island, and the rock piles of the central Bay. Look for birds working over anchovies. Halibut are on the flats around Berkeley and Alameda. Rockfish and lingcod are on the reefs along the coast, from the Farallon Islands to Half Moon Bay. Sturgeon are in San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay.
Tides & Conditions
With the full moon on Saturday, the tides are strong, and the currents in the Bay can be intense. The best fishing is often around the changes of the tide. The weather has been good, but the fog can roll in at any time.
Tackle & Tactics
For stripers, drift live anchovies or cast soft plastics and topwater lures. For halibut, drift live bait or troll lures on the flats. For rockfish and lingcod, use heavy jigs or bait on the bottom. For sturgeon, fish grass shrimp or ghost shrimp on the bottom.
Local Intel This Week
There are many public piers and access points around the Bay, including the Berkeley Pier, the Pacifica Pier, and Fort Point. Public boat ramps are available in Berkeley, Alameda, and San Rafael. Fish are concentrating around the rock piles and on the flats. Rockfish rules and depth restrictions change through the year, and sturgeon require a report card, so check current California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations before you fish. Follow the state’s consumption advisories for Bay-caught fish.
This Week’s Tip
When fishing for stripers under the birds, cast a lure that looks like an anchovy. A white or silver soft plastic or a small topwater plug is a great choice.
More San Francisco Bay Area Resources
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