What you'll find here
CDFW public pier on the open South Bay sand.
License & access
Hermosa Beach Pier is a CDFW public pier. Adjacent surf requires a license.
License rules
Hermosa Beach Pier is a CDFW public pier. No license is needed on the pier; two rods or lines per person. The surf beside the pier requires a license.
What you can catch
Mackerel, bonito and queenfish off the deck. Barred surfperch, corbina and walleye perch near the sand. Halibut off the end.
Seasonal patterns
CDFW's beach guide lists September through May as the surfperch peak and July through September for corbina, both of which apply to the sand around the pier.
Tips
- Sand crabs for corbina and perch.
- Sabiki for mackerel.
- Live bait off the end for halibut.
Crabs from the pier
Public-pier rules allow two nets or traps for crabs per person. Crab limits and sizes still apply.
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.
- Pacific Bonito: Summer–fall schools. Limits: 24 inches fork length or 5 pounds, except 5 smaller fish may be taken; 10 fish. Tip: Troll feathers at 4–6 knots around bait.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Queenfish (Herring): Year-round under piers. Limits: No minimum; No bag limit (T14 CCR §27.60(b)). Tip: Fish mid-water under pier lights.
- Walleye Surfperch: Year-round, often in large schools. Limits: No species-specific minimum; 20 surfperch combo, max 10 of one species. Tip: Fish mid-water, not on the sand.
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; California halibut 1 and 2; surfperch 2 and 2; corbina 2 and 2; queenfish 2 and 2; walleye surfperch 2 and 2. Bonito is not named in this advisory. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license at Hermosa Beach Pier?
No on the pier; yes on the beach.
What fish are caught at Hermosa Pier?
Mackerel, bonito, halibut, surfperch, corbina, queenfish and walleye perch.
When is surfperch season at Hermosa?
Surfperch are caught year-round, with a September–May peak.
Fish species at Hermosa Beach Pier
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.
Nearby waters
- King Harbor Breakwater — about 1 mi away (straight line)
- Redondo Beach / King Harbor — about 1 mi away (straight line)
- Manhattan Beach Pier — about 2 mi away (straight line)
- Redondo Beach Pier — about 2 mi away (straight line)
- Dockweiler State Beach — about 5 mi away (straight line)
- Marina del Rey Jetties — about 8 mi away (straight line)
- Alondra Park Lake (freshwater) — about 4 mi away
- Machado Lake (Ken Malloy Harbor Park) (freshwater) — about 8 mi away
Sources & official links
- CDFW — Beach fishing and public piers in Southern California
- OEHHA — Fish advisory: Santa Monica Beach south of the pier to Seal Beach Pier
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.