California towns
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Fishing near San Francisco, California
San Francisco County, population 873,965.
- 28 milesto nearest lake
- 0launches nearby
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of South Merced Lake: Isabell Schulz, CC BY 2.0
San Francisco, California
Nearby fishing for San Francisco
With 873,965 people in 2020, San Francisco is a San Francisco County town. The closest CDFW lake is Bon Tempe Lake, 28 miles northeast of town.
6 protected areas sit within 15 miles of town.
28 milesto Bon Tempe Lake
0launches within 15 mi
0piers within 25 mi
0shops within 15 mi
Lakes
Lakes in reach of San Francisco
- Bon Tempe Lake28 miles northeast, 140 acres
- Lagunitas Lake28 miles northeast, 22 acres
- North Merced Lake29 miles east, 105 acres
- Phoenix Lake29 miles northeast, 23 acres
- South Merced Lake30 miles east, 198 acres
- Scottsdale Pond36 miles northeast
Species CDFW flags on lakes near San Francisco
| Species | Nearby lakes flagged |
|---|---|
| Hatchery trout | 5 |
| Black bass | 4 |
| Sunfish and crappie | 2 |
| Catfish | 1 |
Map
Map around San Francisco
Where San Francisco boaters launch
- Tomales Bay ResortTomales Bay, 28 miles north
- Clipper Yacht HarborRichardson Bay, 31 miles east
- Galilee HarborRichardson Bay, 31 miles east
- Higgins Boat Landing – Corte MaderaCorte Madera Creek, 31 miles northeast
- Pillar Point HarborPillar Point Harbor, 34 miles southeast
Straight line distances from the Census point for San Francisco.
Salt water
The coast from San Francisco
Coastal water close to San Francisco
- Drakes Bay21 miles
- Drakes Estero23 miles
- Bolinas Lagoon23 miles
No-take and limited-take zones near San Francisco
- Southeast Farallon Island Special Closure West SideSpecial Closure, 2 miles
- Southeast Farallon Island SMRSMR, 3 miles
- Southeast Farallon Island Special Closure East SideSpecial Closure, 3 miles
- Southeast Farallon Island SMCASMCA, 4 miles
- North Farallon Islands SMRSMR, 5 miles
- North Farallon Islands Special ClosureSpecial Closure, 5 miles
Local help
Contacts in San Francisco
Hire a guide for San Francisco
- Argo Sportfishingcharter boat operator, San Francisco
- Bass Tub Sportfishingcharter boat operator, San Francisco
- Hookd Up Sportfishingcharter boat operator, San Francisco
- Lovely Martha Sportfishingcharter boat operator, San Francisco
- Capt Joe's Pacific Sportfishing Chartersocean charter, San Francisco, (415) 752-5886
- Flash Sport Fishing Chartersocean charter, San Francisco, (510) 851-2500
- Salty Lady Sportfishingocean charter, San Francisco, (415) 674-3474
- Bass Tubfreshwater / river guide, San Francisco, (415) 456-9055
- San Francisco Fishing Charterunclassified, San Francisco, (510) 478-3111
- SF Boat Supportunclassified, San Francisco, (707) 225-7050
Stocking
Trout plants around San Francisco
| Lake | Distance | Plant weeks | Last plant |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Merced Lake | 29 miles | 5 | 2026-03-29 |
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule, last 52 weeks.
Limits
Keeping fish near San Francisco
Inland seasons near San Francisco follow the South Central 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.
Nearby
More near San Francisco
Where to stay near San Francisco
- Inverness26 miles
- Point Reyes Station28 miles
- Sausalito31 miles
- Daly City31 miles
County guides covering San Francisco
- San Francisco Countyseat: San Francisco
In pictures
Shore and lake views by San Francisco
Photo: Shawnobusa, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: NPS, Public domain
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Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain
Photo: Samuel Wantman on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers
What San Francisco visitors want to know
Which CDFW lake is closest to San Francisco?
Bon Tempe Lake, 28 miles northeast.
Which launch lies closest to San Francisco?
No launch page within 15 miles.
Is there a public pier by San Francisco?
None within 25 miles.
Where is the nearest tackle to San Francisco?
Shops are past 15 miles.
Do captains run trips from San Francisco?
10 guides and charters are based in San Francisco.
Which county government serves San Francisco?
The San Francisco County page covers it.
Where is fishing closed near San Francisco?
6; Southeast Farallon Island Special Closure West Side is nearest.
Where is the nearest stream to San Francisco?
Not within 30 miles.
What does a visitor license cost in San Francisco?
Visitors 16 and up can buy one day for $21.09 or two for $32.4.