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Surfside Beach

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

California, United States

4.3·282 catches

Top fish species at Surfside Beach

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Check which species have trophy potential in Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach fishing reports

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Spotted sand bass

12 in · 1 lb

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length · weight

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Leopard shark

length · weight

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Grey smooth-hound

length · weight

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Bat eagle ray

7 in · 2 lb

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Bat eagle ray

34 in · 25 lb

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General info

Surfside Beach is a part of an ocean located in Orange County, California, United States. It is most popular for fishing California halibut, Yellowfin croaker, and Leopard shark.

Location

33°43′29.6″N 118°05′16.8″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Surfside 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
California halibut

California halibut

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 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.

Additional information
Bag limit increased to 5 California halibut in California waters south of a line extending due west magnetic from Point Sur, Monterey County.Fillets must be a minimum of 16 and three-quarter inches in length and shall bear the entire skin intact. A fillet from a California halibut (flesh from one entire side of the fish with the entire skin intact) may not be cut in half fillets. However, a fillet may be cut lengthwise in a straight line along the midline of the fillet where the fillet was attached to the vertebra (backbone) of the fish only if the two pieces of a fillet remain joined along their midline for a length of at least two inches at one end of the fillet.
Synonyms
Paralichthys californicus
Season open: year-round
Yellowfin croaker

Yellowfin 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
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
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Local laws and licenses

California fishing license

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Reviews of Surfside Beach

4.3
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3 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

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2.2 miles away

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Hawaiian Gardens

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Stanton

7.5 miles away

Fountain Valley

7.9 miles away

Garden Grove

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Lakewood

8.7 miles away

La Palma

9.1 miles away

Artesia

9.9 miles away

Cerritos

9.9 miles away

Buena Park

10.3 miles away

Costa Mesa

10.8 miles away

Bellflower

11.5 miles away

Santa Ana

11.9 miles away

Carson

12.4 miles away

Norwalk

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Paramount

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La Mirada

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FAQ about Surfside Beach fishing

📍 Where is Surfside Beach located?
Surfside Beach is a part of an ocean located in Orange County, California, United States. Its coordinates are:
33°43′29.6″N 118°05′16.8″W
.
🎣 Where on Surfside Beach is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Surfside 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 Surfside Beach?
The most common species in Surfside Beach are:
📢 What are the latest Surfside Beach fishing reports?
The latest Surfside Beach fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Surfside Beach right now?
According to fishing regulations at Surfside Beach, 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 Surfside 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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