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Thornton Beach

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

California, United States

4.4·70 catches

Top fish species at Thornton Beach

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Check which species have trophy potential in Thornton Beach

Thornton Beach fishing reports

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Striped bass

29 in · 9 lb 8 oz

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Eastern Pacific bonito

length · weight

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Barred surfperch

length · weight

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Striped bass

length · weight

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Striped bass

length · weight

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Striped bass

length · weight

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General info

Thornton Beach is a part of an ocean located in San Mateo County, California, United States. It is most popular for fishing Striped bass, Barred surfperch, and Kelp greenling.

Location

37°41′43.1″N 122°30′1.2″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Striped Bass biting on Thornton Beach?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Thornton Beach. 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 Thornton Beach, 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: November 1 - November 30
Kelp greenling

Kelp greenling

Regulation boundaryCA San Francisco Area
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 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.

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: May 1 - Sept 30: 20 Fathom - Inshore Only (Take is prohibited seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) boundary line.)Nov 1 - Nov 30: 20 Fathom - Inshore Only (Take is prohibited seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) boundary line.)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
Hexagrammos decagrammus
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Local laws and licenses

California fishing license

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Reviews of Thornton Beach

4.4
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13 ratings

5
4
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1
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Cities nearby

Daly City

1.9 miles away

San Francisco

5.2 miles away

South San Francisco

5.3 miles away

Pacifica

5.9 miles away

San Bruno

6.1 miles away

Millbrae

8.5 miles away

Burlingame

10.5 miles away

Hillsborough

12.3 miles away

Alameda

13.7 miles away

San Mateo

14.3 miles away

Mill Valley

14.9 miles away

Emeryville

15.0 miles away

Half Moon Bay

16.0 miles away

Foster City

16.1 miles away

Belmont

16.7 miles away

Oakland

16.8 miles away

Larkspur

16.9 miles away

Piedmont

17.2 miles away

Albany

17.3 miles away

Berkeley

17.3 miles away

San Leandro

18.6 miles away

San Carlos

18.6 miles away

San Lorenzo

20.0 miles away

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FAQ about Thornton Beach fishing

📍 Where is Thornton Beach located?
Thornton Beach is a part of an ocean located in San Mateo County, California, United States. Its coordinates are:
37°41′43.1″N 122°30′1.2″W
.
🎣 Where on Thornton Beach is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Thornton Beach 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 Thornton Beach?
The most common species in Thornton Beach are:
📢 What are the latest Thornton Beach fishing reports?
The latest Thornton Beach fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Thornton Beach right now?
According to fishing regulations at Thornton Beach, 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 Thornton Beach?

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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