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Gray Whale Cove State Beach

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

California, United States

4.0·24 catches

Top fish species at Gray Whale Cove State Beach

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Gray Whale Cove State Beach fishing reports

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Lingcod

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Dungeness crab

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Largemouth bass

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Dungeness crab

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Surf smelt

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Jack smelt

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General info

Gray Whale Cove State Beach is a part of an ocean located in San Mateo County, California, United States. It is most popular for fishing Barred surfperch, Redtail surfperch, and Lingcod.

Location

37°33′51.4″N 122°30′59″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Gray Whale Cove State 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: April 1 - December 31
Lingcod

Lingcod

Regulation boundaryCA San Francisco 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.

Min size22" (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.

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.

1-inch Skin

Minimum 1-inch square patch of skin on each fillet.

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 - April 30: 50 Fathom - Offshore Only (Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom (300 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line.)May 1 - Sept 30: 20 Fathom - Inshore Only (Take is prohibited seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) boundary line.)Oct 1 - Oct 31: 50 Fathom - Offshore Only (Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom (300 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line.)Nov 1 - Nov 30: 20 Fathom - Inshore Only (Take is prohibited seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) boundary line.)Dec 1 - Dec 31: 50 Fathom - Offshore Only (Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom (300 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line.)This species is included in the overall 20 finfish aggregate limit.For the latest information, call the Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Hotline at 1-813-649-2801.
Synonyms
Ophiodon elongatus
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Local laws and licenses

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Reviews of Gray Whale Cove State Beach

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Cities nearby

Pacifica

3.9 miles away

San Bruno

6.3 miles away

Millbrae

6.7 miles away

Half Moon Bay

7.9 miles away

South San Francisco

8.1 miles away

Burlingame

8.3 miles away

Hillsborough

8.6 miles away

Daly City

8.8 miles away

San Mateo

11.2 miles away

Belmont

12.6 miles away

Foster City

13.7 miles away

San Francisco

13.9 miles away

San Carlos

14.4 miles away

Redwood City

16.5 miles away

North Fair Oaks

18.2 miles away

Alameda

19.5 miles away

Menlo Park

20.2 miles away

San Leandro

21.8 miles away

San Lorenzo

22.2 miles away

Emeryville

22.5 miles away

Oakland

22.6 miles away

Ashland

23.7 miles away

Piedmont

23.7 miles away

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FAQ about Gray Whale Cove State Beach fishing

📍 Where is Gray Whale Cove State Beach located?
Gray Whale Cove State Beach is a part of an ocean located in San Mateo County, California, United States. Its coordinates are:
37°33′51.4″N 122°30′59″W
.
🎣 Where on Gray Whale Cove State Beach is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Gray Whale Cove State 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 Gray Whale Cove State Beach?
The most common species in Gray Whale Cove State Beach are:
📢 What are the latest Gray Whale Cove State Beach fishing reports?
The latest Gray Whale Cove State Beach fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Gray Whale Cove State Beach right now?
According to fishing regulations at Gray Whale Cove State 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 Gray Whale Cove State 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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