Marina del Rey Harbor Fishing Guide: Species & Rules

What you'll find here

Harbor-mouth halibut drift. Jetties are listed separately as public-pier structures.

Overview

Marina del Rey is a large man-made small-craft harbor operated by LA County Beaches and Harbors. Most fishing inside the harbor happens from boats and kayaks, since many docks are private or restricted. The north and south jetties at the harbor entrance are CDFW public piers and have their own page.

License rules

A license is required for anglers 16 and older fishing from boats, kayaks or harbor shoreline. Ocean Enhancement Validation is also required south of Point Arguello. The public-pier exception applies only on the jetties CDFW lists.

What you can catch

Halibut are the main target, drifting over the sand in the main channel and near the entrance. Barred and spotted sand bass, leopard sharks, bat rays and mackerel are also caught.

Tips

Drift live bait or swimbaits for halibut on moving tides.
Watch boat traffic in the main channel.
Check posted signs for fishing restrictions on docks and bulkheads.

Seasons and limits for the fish here

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 Sand Bass: Summer peak. Limits: 14 inches total length; Part of the 5-fish kelp/barred/spotted combo; no more than 4 barred sand bass. Tip: Slow drift across open sand/mud, jig near bottom.
Leopard Shark: Year-round, all depths. Limits: 36 inches total length; 3 fish. Tip: Fish a moving tide at harbor mouths.
Bat Ray: Year-round in bays and surf. Limits: No species-specific minimum; General ocean bag: 20 finfish combined, no more than 10 of one species (T14 CCR §27.60(a); finfish include rays). Tip: Heavy surf or boat tackle — they are strong.
Spotted Sand Bass: Warm months in bays. Limits: 14 inches total length; Part of the 5-fish kelp/barred/spotted combo. Tip: Work eelgrass edges on a moving tide.
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.

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: California halibut 1 and 2; Pacific chub mackerel 2 and 4. OEHHA advises everyone not to eat barred sand bass from this area. Leopard shark, bat-ray, spottedbass are not named in this advisory. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.

Frequently asked questions

Can you fish in Marina del Rey Harbor?

Yes, mostly from boats and kayaks, and from the public-pier jetties at the entrance.

What fish are caught in Marina del Rey?

Halibut, sand bass, leopard sharks, bat rays and mackerel.

Do you need a license in Marina del Rey?

Yes, except on the CDFW-listed public-pier jetties.

Fish species at Marina del Rey Harbor

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 1 mi away (straight line)
Venice Pier — about 1 mi away (straight line)
Santa Monica Pier — about 3 mi away (straight line)
Dockweiler State Beach — about 4 mi away (straight line)
Manhattan Beach Pier — about 7 mi away (straight line)
Hermosa Beach Pier — about 9 mi away (straight line)
Kenneth Hahn Regional Park Lake (freshwater) — about 5 mi away
Alondra Park Lake (freshwater) — about 9 mi away

Sources & official links

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

Marina del Rey Harbor