San Diego County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Mission Bay (San Diego)
A Southern California saltwater hub — California halibut and spotted bay bass inside Mission and San Diego Bays, with white seabass, calico bass, and rockfish on the nearshore kelp and reefs. Fished from boats and public piers. Live tide and water temperature from the San Diego station.
Live · updated
Top picks today
California Halibut & White Seabass — tied at the top (47/100)
2 species tied for best of 3 tracked at Mission Bay (San Diego).
Extreme Heat Watch issued July 12 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:48 AM | Low | -1.2 ft |
| 9:16 AM | High | 3.9 ft |
| 1:44 PM | Low | 2.3 ft |
| 8:09 PM | High | 7.4 ft |
Species at Mission Bay (San Diego)
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 47/100
What's helping
- 72°F water — inside california halibut's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — california halibut prefers incoming tide
- 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.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- 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 47/100
What's helping
- 72°F water — inside white seabass's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — white seabass prefers incoming tide
- 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.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- 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 17/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 72°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.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- 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
Region
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
California
Coordinates
Notes
California: halibut 22" minimum, 3/day south of Point Conception; rockfish by season/depth. Confirm the current RCG rule.
Local reports & rules for Mission Bay (San Diego): California CDFW fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Mission Bay (San Diego)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Mission Bay (San Diego) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Mission Bay (San Diego)?
Mission Bay (San Diego) is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: California Halibut, White Seabass, Rockfish. 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 Mission Bay (San Diego)?
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 Mission Bay (San Diego) 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 Mission Bay (San Diego) have?
Mission Bay (San Diego) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. California: halibut 22" minimum, 3/day south of Point Conception; rockfish by season/depth. Confirm the current RCG rule.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Mission Bay (San Diego)?
state agency regulations apply at Mission Bay (San Diego). 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 Mission Bay (San Diego) tidal water?
Yes. Mission Bay (San Diego) sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.