Redondo Beach Pier Fishing Guide: Species & Rules

What you'll find here

CDFW public pier in the horseshoe of King Harbor.

License & access

Redondo Beach Pier is on the CDFW public-pier list. Two-rod limit. Breakwater is listed separately.

License rules

Redondo Beach Pier is a CDFW public pier: no license is needed on the pier, and anglers may use up to two rods or lines. The King Harbor breakwater is listed separately.

What you can catch

Mackerel, bonito and queenfish school around the pier. Calico bass and halibut work the bottom. Walleye perch hold near pilings, and barracuda pass through in warm water.

Where to fish

The harbor side of the pier is calmer and good for bait fish.
The ocean side reaches deeper water for halibut.
Night lights draw queenfish and mackerel.

Tips

Bring a sabiki rig for mackerel and a casting lure for bonito. Use live mackerel or queenfish to target halibut.

Water temperature and tides

NOAA's Santa Monica station (9410840) is the nearest NOAA water-temperature gauge we use for the South Bay. It read between 70.0°F and 72.5°F from October 12 to 18, 2026, which is warm for mid-October. Warm water is when bonito, barracuda and yellowtail show up in local counts. For tide times, NOAA's Los Angeles station (9410660) publishes predictions for the coast. Moving water around tide changes is usually the best time to fish.

Using the boat counts as a pier angler

Redondo Beach Sportfishing's half-day boats leave from the same harbor and post daily counts. They fish kelp and reef the pier can't reach, so their numbers aren't pier catches. Still, when bonito and mackerel are showing on the boats, it's worth bringing a casting lure along with your sabiki rig. Fish in LA's weekly report summarizes the Redondo counts.

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.
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.
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.
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.
California Barracuda: Warm water, late spring–fall. Limits: 28 inches total length or 17 inches alternate length; 10 fish (general finfish cap of 10 of one species). Tip: Burn a long iron through a bait school.

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; California halibut 1 and 2; queenfish 2 and 2; walleye surfperch 2 and 2; barracuda 0 and 1. Bonito is not named in this advisory. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a fishing license on Redondo Beach Pier?

No. It is a CDFW public pier.

What fish are caught at Redondo Beach Pier?

Mackerel, bonito, queenfish, calico bass, halibut, walleye perch and barracuda.

Is fish from Redondo Pier safe to eat?

OEHHA's southern LA coastal advisory applies; mackerel 2 and 4 servings a week, halibut 1 and 2, and barred sand bass do not eat.

Can you use a hoop net on Redondo Beach Pier?

Yes. Public-pier rules allow up to two hoop nets per person for crabs or lobster. Lobster season, size and bag rules apply, and CDFW requires a Spiny Lobster Report Card for anyone fishing for lobster.

Do I need a license to fish the beach next to Redondo Pier?

Yes. The license exemption covers only the public pier structure. Fishing from the sand is beach fishing, and anglers 16 and older need a license.

Fish species at Redondo Beach 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

Redondo Beach / King Harbor — about under 1 mi away (straight line)
King Harbor Breakwater — about under 1 mi away (straight line)
Hermosa Beach Pier — about 2 mi away (straight line)
Manhattan Beach Pier — about 3 mi away (straight line)
Palos Verdes Kelp Beds — about 6 mi away (straight line)
Dockweiler State Beach — about 7 mi away (straight line)
Alondra Park Lake (freshwater) — about 5 mi away
Machado Lake (Ken Malloy Harbor Park) (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.

Redondo Beach Pier