California towns
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Fishing near Berkeley, California
Alameda County, population 124,321.
- 4 milesto nearest lake
- 10launches nearby
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Berkeley, California
Getting on the water from Berkeley
Berkeley, in Alameda County, had 124,321 residents in 2020. Temescal Lake is the nearest CDFW lake, roughly 4 miles east. Boaters can launch at Berkeley Marina, under a mile from town.
Try Emeryville Marina Pier, a public pier 2 miles away. Within 15 miles there are 4 MPAs to respect.
4 milesto Temescal Lake
10launches within 15 mi
6piers within 25 mi
8shops within 15 mi
Lakes
Reservoirs near Berkeley
- Temescal Lake4 miles east, 10 acres
- Lake Merritt5 miles southeast
- San Pablo Reservoir5 miles northeast, 854 acres
- Lafayette Reservoir9 miles east, 111 acres
- Chabot Reservoir14 miles southeast, 315 acres
- Hidden Valley Pond14 miles northeast
Lake species around Berkeley
| Species | Nearby lakes flagged |
|---|---|
| Black bass | 4 |
| Catfish | 4 |
| Hatchery trout | 4 |
| Sunfish and crappie | 3 |
Streams near Berkeley
- Corte Madera Creek14 miles
- Novato Creek24 miles
- Suisun Slough25 miles
- Montezuma Slough29 miles
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Access around Berkeley
- Berkeley MarinaSan Francisco Bay-East Bay, under a mile
- Emeryville Boating AccessSan Francisco Bay-East Bay, 1 mile
- Emeryville MarinaSan Francisco Bay-East Bay, 2 miles
- Emery Cove Yacht HarborSan Francisco Bay-East Bay, 2 miles
- Marina Bay Yacht Harbor – Richmond MarinaSan Francisco Bay-East Bay, 5 miles
- Lake Merritt Boating CenterLake Merrit, 5 miles
- San Pablo ReservoirSan Pablo Reservoir, 5 miles
- Grand MarinaOakland Harbor, 7 miles
- Alameda Grand Street BLFOakland Harbor, 7 miles
- Alameda Encinal BLFSan Francisco Bay-East Bay, 7 miles
Straight line distances from the Census point for Berkeley.
Salt water
Salt water near Berkeley
Public piers near Berkeley
- Emeryville Marina Pierpier, 2 miles
- Barbara and Jay Vincent Park Pierpier, 4 miles
- Barbara and Jay Vincent Park Jettyjetty, 4 miles
- John J Sheridan Pierpier, 5 miles
- Port View Park Pierpier, 5 miles
- Webster St. (Jack London) Pierpier, 5 miles
Harbors and bays by Berkeley
- Richardson Bay10 miles
- San Francisco Bay10 miles
- San Pablo Bay13 miles
MPA boundaries around Berkeley
- Albany Mudflats SMPSMP, 2 miles
- Robert W. Crown SMCASMCA, 7 miles
- Marin Islands SMPSMP, 12 miles
- Corte Madera Marsh SMPSMP, 12 miles
Flow
Stream gauges near Berkeley
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| San Lorenzo C A San Lorenzo Ca | 1 cfs, 2.70 ft gage height | Oct 12 4:30 pm |
| Redwood C A Hwy 1 Bridge A Muir Beach Ca | 1 cfs, 0.99 ft gage height | Oct 12 4:30 pm |
| Corte Madera C A Ross Ca | 0 cfs, 4.21 ft gage height | Oct 12 4:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 12, 2026 5:35 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Local help
Tackle and charters near Berkeley
Where to stock up near Berkeley
- Berkeley Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Berkeley, under a mile
- Bay Point Marinamarina, Berkeley, under a mile
- Fish First, 1404 Solano Avebait and tackle shop, Albany, 2 miles
- Fish Emeryvillebait and tackle shop, Emeryville, 2 miles
- Adams Angling-Fishing Tackle & Booksbait and tackle shop, Berkeley, 3 miles
- San Pablo Reservoirmarina, El Sobrante, 5 miles
- Oakland Baitsbait and tackle shop, Oakland, 6 miles
- Phu Quy Bait & Supplybait and tackle shop, Oakland, 6 miles
License counters by Berkeley
- Neptune Marketlicense agent, 7 miles
- Walmart Store #3455department store, 8 miles
- Center Hardware & Supplylicense agent, 9 miles
Guides who work Berkeley
- Berkeley Charter Boatscharter boat operator, Berkeley
- California Dawn Sportfishingcharter boat operator, Berkeley
- Gatherer Outfitterscharter boat operator, Berkeley
- Golden State Sportfishingcharter boat operator, Berkeley
- Happy Hooker Sportfishingcharter boat operator, Berkeley
- Reel Addiction Sportfishingcharter boat operator, Berkeley
- Right Hook Sportfishingcharter boat operator, Berkeley
- Longfin Sport Fishingocean charter, Berkeley, (415) 425-3800
Stocking
Stocked water close to Berkeley
| Lake | Distance | Plant weeks | Last plant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temescal Lake | 4 miles | 2 | 2026-01-04 |
| Hidden Valley Pond | 14 miles | 4 | 2026-03-01 |
| North Merced Lake | 14 miles | 5 | 2026-03-29 |
| Lake Herman | 18 miles | 2 | 2026-02-15 |
| Lake Chabot | 19 miles | 3 | 2026-03-15 |
| Lakeshore Park Pond | 26 miles | 1 | 2025-12-14 |
| Horseshoe Lake, Alameda County | 26 miles | 5 | 2026-03-01 |
| Shadow Cliff Lake | 29 miles | 5 | 2026-02-15 |
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule, last 52 weeks.
Limits
Inland limits for Berkeley anglers
The district for inland water near Berkeley is the South Central or Valley District.
| Species | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass | 5 a day | 12 in minimum | All year |
| Trout | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Striped bass | 2 a day | 18 in minimum | All year except closures in special regulations |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Catfish | no limit | none | All year, except closures under special regulations |
| Kokanee and inland salmon | 5 a day | none | All year |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations.
Field guide
The fish of Berkeley
Photo: Purefury182, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: USFWS – Pacific Region, CC BY 2.0
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Answers
Questions from Berkeley anglers
How many miles to a CDFW lake from Berkeley?
Temescal Lake, 4 miles east.
Is a launch ramp close to Berkeley?
The nearest named launch is Berkeley Marina (under a mile).
Which public pier can I fish near Berkeley?
Emeryville Marina Pier, 2 miles away, needs no license.
Does Berkeley have a bait counter?
Berkeley Bait & Tackle, the closest shop.
Who runs guided trips in Berkeley?
8 guides and charters list Berkeley.
Which California county contains Berkeley?
Alameda County; see its page.
Can I fish everywhere near Berkeley?
4 MPAs within 15 miles, closest Albany Mudflats SMP.
Is a stream within reach of Berkeley?
The nearest stream page is Corte Madera Creek, 14 miles off.
How much is a day license near Berkeley?
From age 16 a license is needed; a one-day license is $21.09 and two days $32.4.