California fishing reports
215 reports for California — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Salmon bite picks up below Pigeon Point as Central Coast warms
NOAA buoys 46042 and 46026 are reading 57–58°F off the Central California coast as of early May 7, with buoy 46028 slightly warmer at 60°F farther offshore. That temperature picture is translating directly to fishing: per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing reports 'vastly improved' salmon conditions below Pigeon Point, where nearshore water that had been running 58°F at the April 11 season opener has since cooled roughly four degrees — enough to push bonita out and change the surface character. Davis's nearshore figures are cooler than the offshore buoy readings, consistent with coastal upwelling building strength. Rockfish and California halibut are classic mid-May staples along this stretch and should be holding on structure in the current temperature band. Central Coast anglers should note the California Fish and Game Commission recently held a public hearing in Goleta on potential MPA expansion, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater — confirm local access rules before launching.
Delta runoff peaks as May striper migration window opens
The USGS gauge at site 11447650 clocked the Sacramento River at 64°F and 12,000 cfs as of the evening of May 6 — conditions that fall squarely in the prime spring striper window for the Delta. Water in this temperature range draws striped bass into tidal channel confluences and current seams, where topwater and swimbait presentations can be especially effective at first light. No specific Delta captain or tackle-shop reports surfaced in this update cycle; NorCal Fish Reports maintains a dedicated Delta section but no conditions update was available at publication time. For post-spawn largemouth, Tactical Bassin's early-May coverage notes that fish at this transition stage split between shallow cover and open water structure — tule edges and dock pilings are classic holding zones worth cycling through before committing to a single depth. Catfish action is consistent with these warming-water conditions. Flows are moderate and unlikely to produce clarity issues in the near term. Check NorCal Fish Reports directly for the latest on-the-water intel before your trip.
Spring Upwelling Kicks Off on CA Central Coast; Buoys Log 57–60°F
Water temperatures along the California Central Coast are running 57–60°F as of May 6, per real-time readings from NOAA buoys 46042 (59°F, Monterey Bay area), 46028 (60°F), and 46026 (57°F). Winds at all three stations logged 7–8 m/s — roughly 14–16 knots — pointing to a moderate sea state that favors early-morning departures before afternoon onshore breezes build. None of the angler-intel feeds collected this cycle contained reports specific to Central Coast California saltwater fishing, so species conditions below reflect established seasonal patterns for this region and temperature range rather than direct eyewitness accounts. At this temperature, nearshore rockfish are typically active along kelp and reef structure, California halibut begin staging on sandy flats adjacent to hard bottom, and conditions are consistent with the Chinook salmon pre-run window historically tied to May upwelling pulses. Verify current California regulations before targeting any species.
SF Bay halibut and striped bass season hits stride
NOAA buoy 46026 registered 56°F water and 3.3-foot seas on May 6, with winds running at 5 m/s — comfortable conditions for most bay and nearshore anglers. Buoy 46013 off the Bodega coast confirmed even lighter winds (4 m/s) and a cool air temperature of 54°F, suggesting a calm coastal morning across the corridor. None of the angler-intel feeds in this reporting cycle carried Northern California-specific reports, so conditions assessments below draw on established regional seasonal patterns rather than verified current catch reports. At 56°F, California halibut are entering their prime spring feeding window across the bay's sandy shallows and channel edges. Striped bass are traditionally active in the estuary through May as baitfish schools concentrate along current seams. Offshore of Bodega, nearshore rockfish remain a consistent target year-round, and the coastal Chinook salmon season is typically underway by this date — though anglers should confirm current regulations and season status before heading out.
58–59°F Central Coast water signals spring rockfish and halibut window
NOAA buoy 46042 logged 58°F surface water off the Central Coast this morning, with buoy 46028 recording 59°F — both stations observed at 13:10Z on May 6. Seas are running a lumpy 3.9–4.9 ft at those offshore stations on 5–6 m/s winds, with a calmer 3.3-ft reading from buoy 46026 to the north. This week's angler-intel feeds did not include Central Coast-specific reports, so species activity below reflects buoy readings and established mid-spring patterns for this coastline. At 58–59°F, nearshore rockfish and lingcod remain the most consistent target — partyboats and private skiffs typically work structure and reefs throughout spring. Halibut fishing should be ramping up in sandy shallows now that temps have climbed past 57°F. White seabass, which favor kelp edges and water in the upper 50s, are worth targeting in early-morning windows as the season progresses.
3.6–3.9 ft Swells at Bay Entrance as NorCal Coast Eyes May Turn-On
NOAA buoy 46026 logged 3.6 ft wave heights and light 3 m/s winds off the San Francisco bar this morning (May 6), while buoy 46013 off Bodega Bay recorded 3.9 ft swells with 4 m/s winds and a brisk 12.7°C (55°F) air temperature — conditions manageable for larger vessels but not flat-calm for smaller trailered boats. Water temperature readings were unavailable from either station this cycle. None of the angler-intel feeds in our data set specifically covered the SF Bay/Bodega corridor this report cycle, so on-the-water specifics below reflect general mid-May seasonal patterns for this stretch of coast rather than direct captain or shop reports. With that caveat noted: early May typically marks a reliable striper push into the upper estuary on incoming tides, California halibut begin staging on the sandy bay shallows, and coastal rockfish access off Bodega Bay hinges on whether northwest swells moderate. The waning gibbous moon is driving strong tidal exchange right now — worth timing your launch around if you can get out.
LA Bight at 62°F: White Seabass Prime Window Open, Yellowtail Watch Begins
NOAA buoy 46221 logged 62°F surface water off the LA Bight this morning, placing conditions squarely in the prime spring window for white seabass along Southern California's kelp edges. Buoy 46025 confirmed 61°F with light 2 m/s winds, pointing to calm, fishable offshore conditions. Swells of 3.3 feet at buoy 46221 are manageable for most charter and trailered boats making the run to the Channel Islands. This week's angler-intel feeds skew heavily toward Atlantic and Gulf coverage, with no direct reports from the LA Bight or Channel Islands in today's data pull. Drawing on the buoy readings and early-May seasonal patterns: 61–62°F sits squarely in the white seabass prime window along the kelp edges, calico bass are reliably active year-round through this transition, and yellowtail generally begin staging off the northern Channel Islands as surface water approaches the mid-60s. Consult local charter captains and tackle shops for the most current bite intel before heading out.
Central Coast Water at 56–59°F as Spring Upwelling Window Opens
NOAA buoy 46042 recorded 59°F water temps at 05:30 UTC this morning, with companion readings of 59°F at buoy 46028 and 56°F at buoy 46026 — a tight thermal band that sits squarely in the late-spring Central Coast upwelling zone. Northwest winds are building, with buoy 46028 reporting 8 m/s (~18 mph) offshore, signaling the classic afternoon deterioration pattern that defines this coast in May. No California Central Coast-specific angler intel appeared in this reporting cycle's feeds, so species conditions below are grounded in buoy data and seasonal patterns rather than direct captain or shop reports. What we can say: these water temps are prime for nearshore rockfish and lingcod over structure, Pacific halibut are typically staging on the adjacent sand flats through May, and a waning gibbous moon will keep tidal flows consistent through mid-week. Check state regulations before targeting salmon.
57°F Bay Water Primes Spring Salmon and Striper Windows, Bodega to SF
NOAA buoy 46026 recorded 57°F sea-surface temperature off San Francisco on the evening of May 5, paired with light 4 m/s winds — a welcoming combination for bay and nearshore saltwater runs. Buoy 46013 in the Bodega corridor confirmed similarly relaxed winds and a mild air temp of 13.1°C (about 56°F). No targeted regional intel from NorCal captains or local shops surfaced in this week's feed sweep, so buoy data and seasonal patterns anchor this update. Upper-50s water is squarely in the range where spring chinook salmon stage along the coastal shelf and striped bass push actively through the bay following baitfish. May is historically one of the most productive months for bay halibut on sandy shallows, and nearshore rockfish remain reliably accessible on structure throughout the region. Anglers should verify current salmon season status directly with fisheries managers before departure — this coast is subject to in-season adjustments that can shift on short notice.
Channel Islands Water at 60–63°F as Spring Species Push Begins
NOAA buoy 46221 logged 63°F in the inner LA Bight on May 5, while buoy 46025 recorded 60°F further offshore — a 3-degree gradient that typically signals the start of the productive spring window for Southern California saltwater anglers. Swell is running at a manageable 3 feet with offshore winds near 15 mph, offering workable boating conditions heading into the week. The waning gibbous moon is driving strong overnight tidal movement, which tends to concentrate bait along kelp edges and sandy flats during the pre-dawn hours. It's worth noting that this cycle's national angler-intel feeds carried no Southern California-specific charter or shop reports, so the conditions picture below draws primarily from buoy data and patterns typical for the LA Bight and Channel Islands in early May. With water temps crossing the 60°F threshold, yellowtail are beginning their seasonal push toward the Northern Channel Islands, white seabass are approaching their spring spawning peak, and calico bass are typically in full swing along kelp bed structure.
Central Coast: 60°F Waters and Rough Seas — Nearshore Rockfish Window Open
NOAA buoy 46028 logged 60°F water and 5.6-foot seas off the Central Coast as of May 5 — with buoy 46042 confirming a similar 59°F reading across the region — a temperature window that typically marks the transition from late-spring upwelling into the heart of rockfish and halibut season. Wind at the 46028 station is running 8 m/s (roughly 18 mph), and wave heights across the buoy network range from 4.3 to 5.6 feet, keeping smaller craft in protected water for the time being. No direct charter, tackle shop, or captain reports for this stretch of coast are available in this cycle — current angler intel covers Atlantic and Southeast fisheries exclusively. Based on environmental readings and seasonal norms for early May, nearshore rockfish hold the most accessible bite, with halibut beginning to move across sandy-bottom transition zones. White seabass, whose peak window typically arrives mid-May in this region, is the species gaining momentum to watch.
Central Coast Water Temps 56–59°F as Spring Upwelling Takes Hold
NOAA buoys off the Central Coast are reading 56–59°F this week — buoy 46026 logged 56°F, 46042 came in at 57°F, and 46028 at 59°F — right in line with the classic spring upwelling pattern that defines this coastline at this time of year. These cool, nutrient-rich waters are historically productive for nearshore rockfish and bottom-structure species, while the slightly warmer reading at buoy 46028 hints at patchier warm pockets typical of the southern portion of this stretch. Wind is running light at the northern monitoring station (2 m/s at buoy 46042) and moderate at the southern stations (6 m/s at buoys 46028 and 46026). None of this week's national angling publications carried region-specific Central Coast reports in their current feeds, so species-level conditions below reflect seasonal norms for early May rather than fresh charter or shop testimony — verify current conditions with a local tackle shop or charter before heading out.