Here's a quick guide to the various fishing seasons so you know when to fish
for which fish. In addition, tips for how to fish and where to fish are offered for some
of the most popular fish as listed on the left.
Fishing Seasons
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Albacore
Bass
Catfish
Crappie
Flounder
Halibut
Lingcod
Perch (saltwater)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rock cod
Salmon (ocean)
Salmon (bay)
Salmon (river)
Salmon (lake)
Sanddabs
Shark
Smelt
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Steelhead
Striped bass (ocean)
Striped bass (bay)
Striped bass (river)
Sturgeon (bay)
Sturgeon (river)
Trout (stream)
Trout (lake)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
LEGEND:
= Average
= Good
Time of Day
In general, the best time to fish is early morning from crack of dawn to 8:00AM
and late evening from 2 to 3 hours before dark until night falls. Fish don't like direct
light (also applies to "Where to fish").
For ocean or bay fishing, the best time to fish is during the hours just
before, during and just after a high tide change (especially during spring tide periods).
This is the period of fastest moving water.