Fishing near Santa Rosa, California
Sonoma County, population 178,127.
- 2 milesto nearest lake
- 2launches nearby
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lake Hennessey: Annette Teng, CC BY 3.0
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Santa Rosa angler guide
Santa Rosa is a Sonoma County community of 178,127 people at the 2020 census. For still water, Ralphine Lake is 2 miles east. The nearest named launch is Howarth Park, 2 miles away.
The closest CDFW public pier is Shollenberger Pier, 16 miles from town.
Lakes closest to Santa Rosa
- Ralphine Lake2 miles east, 26 acres
- Santa Rosa Creek Reservoir3 miles east, 75 acres
- Foothill Regional Park Pond B9 miles northwest
- Lake Hennessey18 miles east, 850 acres
- Scottsdale Pond26 miles south
- Lake Berryessa27 miles northeast, 13,000 acres
Species flagged within reach of Santa Rosa
| Species | Nearby lakes flagged |
|---|---|
| Black bass | 4 |
| Hatchery trout | 4 |
| Sunfish and crappie | 4 |
| Adult salmon | 1 |
| Catfish | 1 |
| Kokanee and inland salmon | 1 |
River trips from Santa Rosa
- Santa Rosa Creek2 miles
- Mark West Creek4 miles
- Petaluma River17 miles
- Napa River20 miles
Mapped water near Santa Rosa
- Howarth ParkLake Ralphine, 2 miles
- Sunset Beach River AccessRussian River, 13 miles
Straight line distances from the Census point for Santa Rosa.
Shore fishing near Santa Rosa
Piers nearest to Santa Rosa
- Shollenberger Pierpier, 16 miles
- Spud Point Public Pierpier, 21 miles
- Bodega Bay North Jettyjetty, 21 miles
- Bodega Bay South Jettyjetty, 21 miles
Estuaries near Santa Rosa
- Bodega Bay20 miles
- Bodega Harbor20 miles
- Tomales Bay22 miles
USGS stations near Santa Rosa
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Matanzas C A Santa Rosa Ca | 0 cfs, 155.16 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:00 pm |
| Santa Rosa C A Santa Rosa Ca | 0 cfs, 23.25 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:00 pm |
| Colgan C Nr Santa Rosa Ca | 0 cfs, 97.70 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 12, 2026 5:35 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Gear near Santa Rosa
Nearest tackle to Santa Rosa
- DICK'S Sporting Goods #1049sporting goods store, Santa Rosa, 1 mile
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #420sporting goods store, Santa Rosa, 2 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse #247sporting goods store, Rohnert Park, 6 miles
- North Bay Fishing Tacklebait and tackle shop, Rohnert Park, 6 miles
- Wiggle Worm Baitsbait and tackle shop, Windsor, 7 miles
- Outdoor Pro Shopsporting goods store, Cotati, 7 miles
- Reelspeed Lubricantsbait and tackle shop, Windsor, 8 miles
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #152sporting goods store, Petaluma, 14 miles
License agents near Santa Rosa
- Montecito True Value Hardwarelicense agent, 3 miles
- Walmart Store #1755department store, 5 miles
- Ace Hardware of Larkfieldlicense agent, 5 miles
- Walmart Store #2553department store, 7 miles
Planted lakes near Santa Rosa
| Lake | Distance | Plant weeks | Last plant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ralphine Lake | 2 miles | 5 | 2026-04-05 |
| Foothill Regional Park Pond B | 9 miles | 2 | 2026-04-05 |
| Lake Chabot | 33 miles | 3 | 2026-03-15 |
| Lake Herman | 38 miles | 2 | 2026-02-15 |
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule, last 52 weeks.
What you may keep near Santa Rosa
Near Santa Rosa, inland rules come from the North 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.
Bordering Santa Rosa on the map
Towns a short drive from Santa Rosa
- Forestville10 miles
- Petaluma15 miles
- Healdsburg15 miles
- Bodega16 miles
County links for Santa Rosa
- Sonoma Countyseat: Santa Rosa
Species anglers find at Santa Rosa
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: PlanespotterA320, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Hardyplants, CC0 1.0
Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0
Asked often around Santa Rosa
Where does the nearest CDFW lake to Santa Rosa lie?
Ralphine Lake, 2 miles east.
How far is the nearest launch from Santa Rosa?
Try Howarth Park, about 2 miles off.
Can I fish a pier without a license near Santa Rosa?
Shollenberger Pier, 16 miles, license not needed.
Who sells tackle in Santa Rosa?
Try DICK'S Sporting Goods #1049.
Which guides work out of Santa Rosa?
None based in Santa Rosa.
Which county page goes with Santa Rosa?
Sonoma County holds it.
Which MPAs are near Santa Rosa?
None nearby.
Which stream page is nearest Santa Rosa?
Try Santa Rosa Creek (2 miles).
Which license do visitors to Santa Rosa buy?
From 16: $21.09 for one day, $32.4 for two.
Find water to fish near Santa Rosa
Every spot on this page has a directions button.