Top fish species at Salmon Creek

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Salmon Creek fishing reports

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Vermilion rockfish

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Coastal rainbow trout

length · weight

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General info

Salmon Creek is a stream located in Monterey County, California, United States. It is most popular for fishing Vermilion rockfish and Coastal rainbow trout.

Location

35°49′52.4″N 121°20′35.1″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Salmon Creek, 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: April 1 - December 31
Vermilion rockfish

Vermilion rockfish

Regulation boundaryCA Central South Area
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.

Aggregate limit10

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

Special gear

1 Line 2 Hooks

When angling, gear is restricted to not more than two hooks and one line. For purposes of this section, a hook is a single hook, or double or treble hook with multiple points connected to a common shank.

Restrictions & requirements

CA Spearfishing

Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from season and depth restrictions affecting the RCG complex and other federally managed groundfish. Shore-based anglers are fishermen that fish from beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other manmade structures connected to the shore. Divers are spear fishermen entering the water either from the shore or from a boat or other floating object. The possession and transit provisions described for shore-based anglers, and divers are as follows: (1) When angling from shore (includes beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other man−made structures connected to the shore), allspecies may be taken and/or possessed year−round. No vessel or watercraft may be used to assist in the take, transport and/or possession of these species under this provision. (2) When diving or spearfishing all species may be taken and/or possessed year−round. When boat−based groundfish fishing is closed, all types of fishing gear, except spearfishing gear, areprohibited to be aboard the vessel or watercraft when taking and/or possessing these species under this provision.

CA Shore-based Anglers

Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from season and depth restrictions affecting the RCG complex and other federally managed groundfish. Shore-based anglers are fishermen that fish from beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other manmade structures connected to the shore. Divers are spear fishermen entering the water either from the shore or from a boat or other floating object. The possession and transit provisions described for shore-based anglers, and divers are as follows: (1) When angling from shore (includes beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other man−made structures connected to the shore), allspecies may be taken and/or possessed year−round. No vessel or watercraft may be used to assist in the take, transport and/or possession of these species under this provision. (2) When diving or spearfishing all species may be taken and/or possessed year−round. When boat−based groundfish fishing is closed, all types of fishing gear, except spearfishing gear, areprohibited to be aboard the vessel or watercraft when taking and/or possessing these species under this provision.

Skin Attached

Fillets must have entire skin attached.

CA Descending Device

DESCENDING DEVICES REQUIRED: No Person shall take or possess any federal groundfish from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters without a descending device in possession.

Additional information
Season Exceptions: April 1 - June 30: Open All DepthsJuly 1 - Sept 30: 50 Fathom - Inshore Only (Take is prohibited seaward of the 50 fathom (300 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line.)Oct 1 - Dec 31: 50 Fathom - Offshore Only (Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom (300 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line.)No size limit. This species is included in the 10 fish RCG Complex limit, and also within the overall 20 finfish aggregate limit.For the latest information, call the Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Hotline at 1-813-649-2801.
Synonyms
Sebastes miniatus
Species prohibited
Coastal rainbow trout

Coastal rainbow trout

Regulation boundaryCA State Waters

It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell, or exchange this species.

Additional information
Take of Steelhead Rainbow Trout in the ocean is prohibited. Note, report cards are required for any person fishing for steelhead. Every person fishing for steelhead must have an appropriate report card, including any person who is not required to have a sport fishing license, such as a child who is under 16 years of age, a person who is fishing from a public pier, and any person who is fishing on a free fishing day. To learn more about the report card requirement tap here. To learn more about reporting your harvest on a report card tap here.
Edibility
Excellent, Catch, Clean, Cook Steelhead by DMFD
Synonyms
Coastal Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus
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Local laws and licenses

California fishing license

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Cities nearby

San Simeon

18.7 miles away

Oak Shores

20.9 miles away

Cambria

24.2 miles away

Lake Nacimiento

27.4 miles away

San Ardo

27.8 miles away

King City

29.1 miles away

Bradley

30.3 miles away

Greenfield

34.4 miles away

Cayucos

37.4 miles away

El Paso de Robles

40.7 miles away

Soledad

42.3 miles away

Atascadero

44.1 miles away

Los Osos

46.5 miles away

Whitley Gardens

48.4 miles away

Creston

51.0 miles away

Santa Margarita

51.3 miles away

San Luis Obispo

54.4 miles away

Shandon

55.2 miles away

Coalinga

60.8 miles away

Grover Beach

63.8 miles away

Arroyo Grande

64.9 miles away

Nipomo

72.8 miles away

Guadalupe

74.1 miles away

Santa Maria

80.1 miles away

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FAQ about Salmon Creek fishing

📍 Where is the Salmon Creek located?
the Salmon Creek is a stream located in Monterey County, California, United States. Its coordinates are:
35°49′52.4″N 121°20′35.1″W
.
🎣 Where on the Salmon Creek is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Salmon Creek 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 Salmon Creek?
The most common species in the Salmon Creek are:
📢 What are the latest Salmon Creek fishing reports?
The latest Salmon Creek fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Salmon Creek right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Salmon Creek, some of the species in season this November include: Chinook salmon, Lingcod, Pacific halibut, Vermilion rockfish, and California sheephead. 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 Salmon Creek?

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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