It’s no secret that Striped Bass are some of the best sport fish out there. Anglers are addicted to their aggressive strikes and barreling dives, which feels a lot like taking a bull by the horns. Rest assured, there are plenty of these “Cows” swimming around the Golden State. But where exactly are the best Striper fishing spots in California?
The answer is: Almost everywhere! If you know where and when to look, that is. Luckily, we’re here to point you in the right direction. The hard part will be deciding where to go first!
Why Go Striper Fishing in California
California Stripers don’t reach trophy sizes like you might catch on the opposite side of the country, but they’ll certainly bend your rod. Local Striped Bass can top 40 pounds, especially in areas like the Delta and San Francisco Bay. California’s verified state record stands at 67 and a half pounds, while anglers have reported even larger catches than that!
The real cherry on top is the variety of places to fish for them. Stripers are most common in Northern California, from San Francisco Bay to the mighty Sacramento River and its tributaries. While SoCal rarely sees coastal Striped Bass, there are self-sustaining populations of these fish to be found inland. So, whether you’re trolling beneath the Golden Gate or casting into a desert lake, there’s a chance you’ll catch some Striper.
But, enough preamble already – let’s get down to “Bass tacks!”
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay is the most iconic Striper fishing spot in California – and maybe in the entire west! Here, you’ll find yourself at the doorstep to the Pacific, where Striped Bass and Salmon begin their migrations upstream.
Stripers often gather in areas with deep water and current breaks. The south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge is a common fishing spot for them, as well as the rocky structures off Alcatraz and Treasure Islands. Raccoon Strait near Angel Island also sees lots of activity.
Fishing from a boat will have you bagging more fish, but you can also enjoy good shore fishing from just about any side of the bay. In San Francisco itself, you have Baker Beach and the area around Candlestick Park. If you’d rather avoid the city gridlock, just head to Marin, Berkeley, or San Mateo. These all feature popular piers and beaches with access to the same fish.
The best time to go Striper fishing in San Francisco Bay is usually from June through October. During this period, the fish will be highly concentrated in the bay and feeding actively. Come winter, they disperse and are less likely to take your bait.
Striped Bass fishing is open year-round in California. For Stripers caught in San Francisco Bay, there’s a daily bag limit of two fish, which must be 18 inches or longer.
California Delta (aka Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta)
Fish find their way from San Francisco Bay to various freshwater streams through a vast maze of sloughs, canals, and channels known as the California Delta. This watershed stretches from the valleys around Sacramento and Stockton all the way to Suisun Bay.
One of the most productive areas in the Delta is Frank’s Tract State Recreation Area. You can also enjoy good fishing from a boat or the shoreline around the Big Break Regional Shoreline and the Antioch Bridge area.
If you’re planning on a Striper fishing trip to the California Delta, your best bets are in spring and fall. Between March and May, these fish pass through these waters on their way to spawn in the rivers. They return again between October and November to gorge themselves on bait fish before winter. You’ll see the most activity on an incoming tide at sunrise or sunset.
Size and bag limits for Stiper caught in the San Francisco Bay region apply.
Sacramento River
If you follow their migration, many Striped Bass will lead you up the mighty Sacramento River. This massive waterway stretches for 400 miles, all the way from the Delta to the Klamath Mountains. The combination of deep channels and shallow flats caters to a variety of fishing methods.
Striper fishing on the Sacramento River picks up around March and runs through May, when water temperatures rise and the fish move upriver to spawn. During this time, the stretch from Courtland to Colusa is one of the best areas to fish. There’s a well-known spawning spot south of Colusa known as “Tractor Hole”, while the Chico Straits just north of town offer some of the best Striper shore fishing in California.
Further south, Tisdale Weir and Verona also get good action when the fish pause during their upstream migration. Come fall, Striped Bass make their way back to the Delta, giving anglers on the lower portion of the river a second chance at the action.
The legal season for Striped Bass fishing on the Sacramento River is open year-round. As in San Francisco Bay, there’s a bag limit of two fish, which must meet the minimum size limit of 18 inches.
San Joaquin River
Another path that Stripers take out of the Delta will lead you up the San Joaquin River and west into California’s Central Valley. There’s no shortage of good fishing spots around here, especially if you’re based in Pittsburg, Antioch, or Stockton.
One area to try is the stretch between the Antioch Bridge and the mouth of Middle River. With a boat, you can explore the waters around Jersey Island, Bethel Island, or Taylor and Piper Sloughs. Anglers also report good fishing deeper inland near Mossdale Crossing, Old River, and the Port of Stockton. These areas have deep channels and eddies that hold Stripers, where drifting and trolling work especially well.
The best time for Striper fishing here runs from March through May, and again between October and early December. Northern California’s usual size and bag limits apply.
American River
Freshwater anglers in California already know and love the American River. It has a strong reputation for Salmon and Steelhead, and now you can add Striper to that list!
This tributary of the Sacramento flows from the Sierra Nevada mountains right into the state capital. When it comes to Striper fishing, the stretch between the confluence with the Sacramento River and the Watt Avenue Bridge is your best bet.
Stripers are most active here from April through June, particularly when flows are moderate and the water has a bit of color. Anglers often fish this area from small boats or by wading, using topwater plugs at dawn or drifting live bait such as minnows or anchovies.
The two-fish bag limit for Stripers still applies here, but it’s always wise to check regulations before heading out because rules can change.
Feather River
The Feather River is yet another tributary located north of Sacramento. It may be lesser-known for Striper fishing among California’s anglers, but it’s still a productive spot thanks to the rock bars, current seams, and deep holes these fish make use of.
The lower sections of the river, in particular, see their share of springtime Stripers. Try fishing near Yuba City or Gridley for a piece of the action between April and June. Schools of bait fish usually give away the Stripers’ location. Drifting live minnows, trolling plugs, and casting soft plastics are just a few ways you can catch them here.
While the Feather River may not rival the reputation of bigger waters, it draws in many anglers, with numerous local guides ready to take you out.
Lake Havasu
South of Monterey, the best Striper action is confined to a handful of lakes. And none sees more action than Lake Havasu. This desert oasis on the border of California and Arizona boasts deep water and rocky structure – which, as you know by now, Striper love!
On the California side, fishing is good near Havasu Landing and Copper Canyon. The key is to cover lots of water, because Stripers are constantly on the move and will swim as much as 15 miles per day. Boaters often troll with umbrella rigs or downriggers in 30–80 feet of water.
You can fish for Stripers in Lake Havasu year-round, but the bite really heats up between late spring and early fall. Night fishing is effective during summer, especially near lighted docks and marinas where bait fish congregate.
In Lake Havasu, the bag limit for Striped Bass is 10 fish, with no minimum size requirements. This applies no matter what side of the lake you’re fishing from, since the rules are the same as per Arizona’s statewide regulations as well as California’s Colorado River District.
Lake Pyramid
North of Los Angeles sits Pyramid Lake, a deep reservoir with excellent Striped Bass fishing thanks to regular stocking and droves of bait fish. Hotspots include the dam area, Yellowbar Canyon, and Spanish Point. These deeper sections of the lake attract big schools of Stripers, especially during the warmer months.
Striped Bass are arguably the most popular species of all here! Anglers target them using swimbaits, trolling lures, and live bait such as sardines or anchovies. Fishing is productive year-round, but spring and fall offer the best combination of weather and fish activity.
Lake Pyramid follows California’s Southern District regulations, where anglers can keep up to 10 Striped Bass with no minimum size limit.
Silverwood Lake
We’ll wrap up our list of California’s best Striper fishing spots with a hidden gem: Silverwood Lake. These clear, cool waters tucked behind the San Bernardino mountains make for an enjoyable day on the water, despite what sort of luck you have with the Stripers!
Spring and early summer are generally the most productive times to fish here. Surface action is common in the mornings, while trolling and using sonar will help you find deeper schools late in the day. Live shad, anchovies, and sardines are popular baits, but topwater lures can be explosive during low-light hours.
Striper action around Cleghorn Arm is pretty consistent, especially early in the morning or late in the evening. You can also try your luck near Miller Canyon and the area by the dam.
Once again, there’s a 10-fish bag limit for Striped Bass in Pyramid Lake.
Striper Fishing in California: A Golden Opportunity!
There’s no shortage of Striper fishing spots in California, thanks to the state’s varied landscape and stable climate. From the headwaters of the Sacramento River to the night bite on Lake Havasu, you have every opportunity to get out on the water. Striper fishing here is a lot like striking gold – and luckily, it can happen every day.
Have you ever been Striper fishing in California? Where’s your favorite spot? Let us know all your fishing stories in the comments below!
The post Best Striper Fishing Spots in California: The Complete Guide for 2025 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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