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Soquel Creek

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

California, United States

4.4·75 catches

Top fish species at Soquel Creek

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Check which species have trophy potential in Soquel Creek

Soquel Creek fishing reports

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Pacific staghorn sculpin

length · weight

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Walleye surfperch

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Pacific jack mackerel

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White seaperch

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White croaker

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Coastal rainbow trout

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General info

Soquel Creek is a stream located in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. It is most popular for fishing White croaker, Rainbow trout, and Striped bass.

Location

37°03′9.9″N 121°55′22.3″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Striped Bass biting on Soquel Creek?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Soquel Creek. 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 Soquel 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: year-round
White croaker

White croaker

Regulation boundaryCA State Waters
Bag limit10

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 limit20

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

Additional information
Bag limit: No more than 20 finfish in combination of all species with not more than 10 individuals of any one species No closed season; no depth limit; no size limit. When filleting fish on a vessel, each fillet shall bear intact a one-inch square patch of skin. The fillets may be of any size.
Edibility
Pretty good
Synonyms
Black Croaker, California Corbina, Family Scianidae, White Croaker, Yellowfin Croaker
Season open: year-round
Rainbow trout

Rainbow trout

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.

Additional information
Bag limit = 3 trout, except the take of steelhead rainbow trout in the ocean is prohibited. Trout must voluntarily take the bait or lure in its mouth.
Synonyms
Sea Trout
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
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Local laws and licenses

California fishing license

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Reviews of Soquel Creek

4.4
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16 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Day Valley

4.1 miles away

Scotts Valley

4.9 miles away

Live Oak

5.6 miles away

Santa Cruz

8.0 miles away

Brookdale

11.0 miles away

Los Gatos

12.4 miles away

Watsonville

12.4 miles away

Boulder Creek

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Davenport

14.8 miles away

Campbell

15.8 miles away

Saratoga

15.9 miles away

Morgan Hill

16.4 miles away

San Jose

17.7 miles away

Moss Landing

18.9 miles away

Gilroy

18.9 miles away

Cupertino

19.5 miles away

Santa Clara

21.7 miles away

Prunedale

22.5 miles away

Alum Rock

22.5 miles away

Sunnyvale

23.5 miles away

Los Altos

23.8 miles away

San Juan Bautista

25.7 miles away

Marina

26.7 miles away

Salinas

29.9 miles away

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FAQ about Soquel Creek fishing

📍 Where is the Soquel Creek located?
the Soquel Creek is a stream located in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. Its coordinates are:
37°03′9.9″N 121°55′22.3″W
.
🎣 Where on the Soquel Creek is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Soquel 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 Soquel Creek?
The most common species in the Soquel Creek are:
📢 What are the latest Soquel Creek fishing reports?
The latest Soquel Creek fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Soquel Creek right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Soquel Creek, 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 Soquel 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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