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McNear Channel

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

California, United States

3.1·30 catches

Top fish species at McNear Channel

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Check which species have trophy potential in McNear Channel

McNear Channel fishing reports

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Mottled sculpin

length · weight

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Striped bass

28 in · 18 lb 6 oz

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Striped bass

length · weight

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Striped bass

length · weight

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Striped bass

24 in · 5 lb

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General info

McNear Channel is a stream located in Sonoma County, California, United States. It is most popular for fishing Striped bass, Leopard shark, and White sturgeon.

Location

38°14′1.2″N 122°37′45.2″W
Directions

Official website

ceqanet.opr.ca.gov

Amenities

When are Striped Bass biting on McNear Channel?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at McNear Channel. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at McNear Channel, CA

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in California can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Striped bass

Striped bass

Regulation boundaryCA State Waters
Bag limit2

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size18" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Additional information
No closed season. Minimum size only applies north of Point Conception. South of Point Conception there is no minimum size. No striped bass may be taken while using a sinker weighing over four pounds, or while using any power-driven curdy or winch.
Synonyms
Morone saxatilis
Season open: year-round
Leopard shark

Leopard shark

Regulation boundaryCA State Waters
Bag limit3

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size36" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit20

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Additional information
This species is included in the 10 fish RCG Complex limit, and also within the overall 20 finfish aggregate limit.Open year-round, no depth limit. Filleting aboard a vessel is not allowed.
Synonyms
Triakis semifasciata
Season open: year-round
White sturgeon

White sturgeon

Regulation boundaryCA State Waters
Bag limit0

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size42" (Fork Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.

Max size48" (Fork Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.

Restrictions & requirements

Catch and Release Only

Daily Creel Limit = 0 (Catch and Release Fishing Only)

Additional information
The White Sturgeon sport fishing season is scheduled to reopen October 1.  The new White Sturgeon sport fishing regulations specify the following open seasons to reduce stress during warmer times of the year and protect spawning and migrating fish. From Oct. 1 through June 30: For ocean waters and San Francisco Bay east to downstream of the confluence of the Feather River on the Sacramento River and downstream of the I-5 bridge on the San Joaquin River.From Oct. 1 through December 31: upstream of the confluence of the Feather River to the Highway 162 Bridge on the Sacramento River and upstream of the I-5 bridge on the San Joaquin River.Closures to sturgeon fishing:Closed all yearAll tributaries of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers.North Coast District (Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity and Siskiyou counties).Sacramento River upstream of the Highway 162 bridge (Butte City).Yolo Bypass, Toe Drain Canal, and Tule Canal upstream of the Lisbon Weir.Closed January 1 through March 15: That portion of San Francisco Bay included within the following boundaries: A direct line between Pt. Chauncey (National Marine Fisheries Laboratory) and Pt. Richmond, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and a direct line between Pt. Lobos and Pt. Bonita. The new regulations also specify handling requirements:Any sturgeon greater than 60 inches fork length may not be removed from the water and shall be released immediately.Sturgeon of any size shall not be held out of water suspended by the gills, gill plates, mouth, or solely by the tail, and shall not be dragged across the ground, boat decks, or piers.Green Sturgeon are listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act and take is prohibited. All Green Sturgeon must be kept in the water and released immediately.   Report card required: Any person fishing for or taking sturgeon shall have in their possession a non-transferable Sturgeon Fishing Report Card issued by the department and shall adhere to all reporting and tagging requirements for sturgeon defined in Sections 1.74 and 27.92, Title 14, CCR. To learn more about the report card requirement tap here. To learn more about reporting your harvest on a report card tap here.For regulations on take and possession of sturgeon in inland waters as defined in Section 1.53, see Section 5.80 and Section 5.81. Sturgeon Fishing Report Card Required. All anglers must have a valid Sturgeon Fishing Report Card in their possession while fishing for or taking white sturgeon. Cardholders must complete and return the card pursuant to regulations in this Section and in Section 1.74 of these regulations.For more information, see California Saltwater Sportfishing Regulations
Synonyms
Acipenser transmontanus
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Reviews of McNear Channel

3.1
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8 ratings

5
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1
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Cities nearby

Petaluma

0.6 miles away

Rohnert Park

8.7 miles away

Glen Ellen

9.7 miles away

Sonoma

10.0 miles away

Novato

10.5 miles away

Nicasio

12.6 miles away

Bloomfield

13.3 miles away

Kenwood

13.5 miles away

Point Reyes Station

14.2 miles away

Tomales

15.0 miles away

Santa Rosa

15.2 miles away

Inverness

15.8 miles away

San Anselmo

17.7 miles away

Dillon Beach

17.8 miles away

San Rafael

17.8 miles away

Napa

18.3 miles away

Oakville

18.6 miles away

Graton

19.0 miles away

Bodega

20.2 miles away

American Canyon

20.5 miles away

Larkspur

21.0 miles away

Bolinas

22.3 miles away

Deer Park

22.6 miles away

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FAQ about McNear Channel fishing

📍 Where is the McNear Channel located?
the McNear Channel is a stream located in Sonoma County, California, United States. Its coordinates are:
38°14′1.2″N 122°37′45.2″W
.
🎣 Where on the McNear Channel is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the McNear Channel by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the McNear Channel?
The most common species in the McNear Channel are:
📢 What are the latest McNear Channel fishing reports?
The latest McNear Channel fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the McNear Channel right now?
According to fishing regulations at the McNear Channel, some of the species in season this November include: Chinook salmon, Lingcod, Pacific halibut, Cabezon, and Copper rockfish. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the McNear Channel?

Fishing in California requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include daily, annual, or combination licenses for residents and non-residents, purchasable online or at sporting goods stores.

In California, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. There is no universal senior exemption. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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