Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier Fishing Guide: Species & Rules

What you'll find here

CDFW public pier. Adjacent breakwater requires a license.

License & access

Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier is a public pier. CDFW note: on the adjacent breakwater a fishing license is required.

License rules

The Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier is a CDFW public pier: no license on the pier, two rods or lines. CDFW notes that the adjacent breakwater requires a license.

What you can catch

Mackerel, queenfish, pile perch, calico bass, halibut, white croaker and scorpionfish. Being inside the LA Harbor area, white croaker are common.

Tips

Use a high-low rig with squid for bottom fish.
Handle scorpionfish with pliers; spines are venomous.
Sabiki rigs for mackerel and queenfish.

What counts as a public pier

Under T14 CCR §1.88, a public pier is a publicly owned structure connected to land above mean high tide, with free public access, built or functioning mainly for angling. Jetties and breakwaters count only if they form the most seaward protective boundary of an ocean harbor, CDFW specifically notes that the breakwater next to Cabrillo Beach Pier is not covered and requires a license.

Seasons and limits for the fish here

Pacific Mackerel: Year-round on piers. Limits: No minimum; No bag limit (Pacific and jack mackerel are listed as no-limit species under T14 CCR §27.60(b)). Tip: Jig a Sabiki near pilings and bait receivers.
Kelp Bass (Calico Bass): Year-round, best late spring–fall. Limits: 14 inches total length (10 inches alternate length); 5 kelp/barred/spotted sand bass in combination; no more than 4 barred sand bass. Tip: Cast to the kelp edge, sink, then hop the bait up.
Pile Perch: Year-round around pilings. Limits: No species-specific minimum; 20 surfperch combo, max 10 of one species. Tip: Drop straight down along a piling and hop it.
Queenfish (Herring): Year-round under piers. Limits: No minimum; No bag limit (T14 CCR §27.60(b)). Tip: Fish mid-water under pier lights.
California Halibut: Year-round. Limits: 22 inches total length; 5 fish south of Point Sur (Monterey County); LA County is in this zone. Tip: Drift the sand-to-kelp transition, bouncing just off bottom.
White Croaker (Kingfish): Year-round on piers. Limits: No species-specific minimum; General ocean finfish 20/10. Tip: Fish the bottom around pier pilings.
California Scorpionfish (Sculpin): Year-round, all depths (2026 SoCal summary). Limits: No minimum; 5 fish. Tip: Fish the bottom and stay there.

Limits summarize CDFW rules as of October 2026; each species page links the official source.

Eating your catch

For fish caught here, OEHHA's Santa Monica Beach south of the Santa Monica Pier to Seal Beach Pier advisory lists servings per week (women 18–49 and children 1–17, then women 50+ and men) as: Pacific chub mackerel 2 and 4; kelp (calico) bass 1 and 1; pile perch 2 and 2; queenfish 2 and 2; California halibut 1 and 2; scorpionfish 1 and 1. OEHHA advises everyone not to eat white croaker from this area. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a license at Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier?

No on the pier; yes on the adjacent breakwater.

Can you eat white croaker from Cabrillo Pier?

OEHHA advises everyone not to eat white croaker from this area.

What fish are caught at Cabrillo Pier?

Mackerel, queenfish, perch, calico, halibut, white croaker and scorpionfish.

Fish species at Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier

Map

View larger map

Regulations reminder

Size limits, bag limits, seasons, and MPA rules are set by CDFW and can change in-season. Public-pier license exceptions (CCR 1.88) apply only on qualifying structures — not on the beach next to them. This is an independent site and is not affiliated with CDFW.

wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing →

Nearby waters

Cabrillo Beach / Point Fermin, San Pedro — about under 1 mi away (straight line)
22nd St. Landing, San Pedro — about under 1 mi away (straight line)
Pier J Fishing Piers, Long Beach — about 6 mi away (straight line)
Shoreline Village Piers, Long Beach — about 6 mi away (straight line)
Palos Verdes Kelp Beds — about 7 mi away (straight line)
Belmont Pier / Long Beach — about 8 mi away (straight line)
Machado Lake (Ken Malloy Harbor Park) (freshwater) — about 5 mi away
Alondra Park Lake (freshwater) — about 13 mi away

Sources & official links

Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.

Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier