What you'll find here
CDFW public pier. Roundhouse at the end; open sand either side.
License & access
Manhattan Beach Pier is a CDFW public pier. Two rods. Surf fishing on either side needs a license.
License rules
Manhattan Beach Pier is a CDFW public pier: no license on the pier, two rods or lines. Surf fishing on either side needs a license.
What you can catch
Mackerel and queenfish off the deck; surfperch, corbina and yellowfin croaker near the sand; halibut and shovelnose guitarfish on the bottom.
Tips
- Fish the surf with sand crabs in summer.
- Use a sabiki for mackerel.
- Release shovelnose quickly.
Pier rules that trip people up
On public piers, each person may use no more than two rods and lines, two hand lines, or two nets or traps for crabs. Size and bag limits still apply even without a license. Stepping onto the sand to land a fish turns it into beach fishing, which 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Queenfish (Herring): Year-round under piers. Limits: No minimum; No bag limit (T14 CCR §27.60(b)). Tip: Fish mid-water under pier lights.
- 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.
- 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.
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; surfperch 2 and 2; corbina 2 and 2; California halibut 1 and 2; queenfish 2 and 2; yellowfin croaker 2 and 2; shovelnose guitarfish 1 and 2. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license at Manhattan Beach Pier?
Not on the pier; yes on the beach.
What fish are caught at Manhattan Beach Pier?
Mackerel, queenfish, surfperch, corbina, yellowfin croaker, halibut and shovelnose guitarfish.
Best time for corbina at Manhattan Beach?
CDFW lists July through September as the SoCal peak.
Fish species at Manhattan 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
- Hermosa Beach Pier — about 2 mi away (straight line)
- King Harbor Breakwater — about 3 mi away (straight line)
- Redondo Beach / King Harbor — about 3 mi away (straight line)
- Dockweiler State Beach — about 3 mi away (straight line)
- Redondo Beach Pier — about 3 mi away (straight line)
- Marina del Rey Jetties — about 6 mi away (straight line)
- Alondra Park Lake (freshwater) — about 4 mi away
- Kenneth Hahn Regional Park Lake (freshwater) — about 9 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.