Dockweiler State Beach Fishing Guide: Species & Rules

What you'll find here

Open sand, license required. CDFW SoCal surf species all show here.

License & access

This is beach fishing, not a public pier. A sportfishing license is required (age 16+).

License rules

Dockweiler is a beach, not a public pier, so a license is required for anglers 16 and older. LA County Beaches and Harbors operates the beach.

What you can catch

Barred surfperch, corbina, yellowfin and spotfin croaker, halibut, leopard sharks and shovelnose guitarfish.

Seasons

CDFW lists the SoCal surf peaks as: surfperch September–May, yellowfin croaker June–September, spotfin croaker and corbina July–September, and halibut June–October.

Grunion

Grunion spawn on many LA beaches. Season is open July 1–March 31; hand take only; 30-fish limit; license required.

Tips

Use sand crabs or bloodworms.
Fish the troughs at incoming tide.
Check county beach hours.

Seasons and limits for the fish here

California Corbina: Summer, calm surf. Limits: No species-specific minimum; General ocean finfish: 20 in combination, no more than 10 of one species. Tip: Sight-fish the wash on a calm, low-swell day.
Barred Surfperch: Year-round; CDFW lists Sep–May peak. Limits: No minimum for barred surfperch; 20 surfperch in combination, no more than 10 of any one species; shiner perch 20 separate. Tip: Fish the trough on an incoming tide.
Yellowfin Croaker: Summer nights, June–September. Limits: No species-specific minimum; General ocean finfish 20/10. Tip: Fish night incoming tides in the first trough.
Spotfin Croaker: July–September surf. Limits: No species-specific minimum; General ocean finfish 20/10. Tip: Fish the hole behind the first sandbar.
Leopard Shark: Year-round, all depths. Limits: 36 inches total length; 3 fish. Tip: Fish a moving tide at harbor mouths.
Shovelnose Guitarfish: Year-round in the surf. Limits: No species-specific minimum; General ocean bag: 20 finfish combined, no more than 10 of one species (finfish include rays). Tip: If targeting them, fish the outer trough on a moving tide.
California Grunion: Open Jul 1, 2026–Mar 31, 2027. Limits: No minimum; 30 fish. Tip: Go on a predicted run, after high tide at night.
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.

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: corbina 2 and 2; surfperch 2 and 2; yellowfin croaker 2 and 2; shovelnose guitarfish 1 and 2; California halibut 1 and 2. Spotfin-croaker, leopard shark, grunion are not named in this advisory. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a license at Dockweiler Beach?

Yes, for anglers 16 and older.

What fish are caught at Dockweiler?

Surfperch, corbina, croakers, halibut, leopard sharks and shovelnose.

Can you catch grunion at Dockweiler?

Grunion spawn on LA beaches; follow CDFW grunion rules.

Fish species at Dockweiler State Beach

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

Marina del Rey Jetties — about 3 mi away (straight line)
Manhattan Beach Pier — about 3 mi away (straight line)
Marina del Rey Harbor — about 4 mi away (straight line)
Venice Pier — about 5 mi away (straight line)
Hermosa Beach Pier — about 5 mi away (straight line)
King Harbor Breakwater — about 6 mi away (straight line)
Alondra Park Lake (freshwater) — about 6 mi away
Kenneth Hahn Regional Park Lake (freshwater) — about 7 mi away

Sources & official links

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

Dockweiler State Beach