Farallon Islands Fishing Guide: Rockfish, Lingcod, Salmon and Tuna Water

Short version: the Farallon Islands sit roughly 27 miles west of the Golden Gate, near the edge of the continental shelf. That position puts deep water, upwelling and bait close together, which is why the islands are one of the most productive spots on the Northern California coast. It's also a long, exposed run with special rules, so plan carefully.

Where they are and why they fish

The Farallones are a chain of rocky islands and pinnacles west of San Francisco. The shelf edge runs just west of them, where the bottom drops from shelf depth into much deeper water. Upwelling along that edge brings cold, nutrient rich water to the surface, and that feeds everything from krill and anchovies up to the seabirds, seals, whales and fish the islands are known for.

For anglers, that means good bottom fishing around the islands, and in the right years, offshore water setting up along the shelf edge just beyond them.

What's out there

• Rockfish and lingcod. The islands are best known for bottom fishing. Seasons, depth limits and bag limits for groundfish change often, so check the current rules before every trip.
• Salmon. In open seasons, boats troll for salmon in the waters around and between the Gate and the islands. Salmon seasons have been heavily restricted or closed in some recent years. Check before you plan around them.
• Tuna water beyond the shelf edge. In some summers and falls, warmer offshore water pushes in toward the shelf edge west of the islands, and albacore or bluefin come within range. See when bluefin show up in NorCal and albacore water temperature.

Rules to check before you go

The Farallones are protected waters, and that matters for where you can fish.

• Marine protected areas. There are state marine reserves and conservation areas around the islands where fishing is restricted or prohibited. Know the boundaries and load them on your plotter.
• National marine sanctuary. The islands are inside the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, which has its own rules, including for wildlife disturbance.
• Groundfish and salmon regulations. Seasons, depths and limits change. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's current regulations before every trip.

We're not a regulations source, so always check the official rules directly.

Reading the water around the islands

1. Find the upwelling band. On the SST chart for Bay Area / Monterey, the cold water along the coast and around the islands shows how hard upwelling is running. 2. Look west of the shelf edge. When northwest winds ease, warmer, bluer offshore water can slide in toward the edge. That's where offshore species may set up. See West Coast upwelling explained. 3. Check the color. Green, productive water around the islands and clean blue water offshore. The seam between them is worth a look. See chlorophyll charts explained. 4. Check the buoys. Our free Bay Area water temps page shows the nearby NOAA buoys, including Half Moon Bay and the San Francisco Bar.

Safety

The run out to the islands is long and exposed. Afternoon northwest wind can build quickly, fog is common, and conditions can change fast. Check the marine forecast, leave with a real fuel reserve, file a float plan, and give the islands' wildlife plenty of room.

The honest bottom line

The Farallones fish well because the shelf edge, upwelling and bait come together right there. Check the regulations, pick your weather, and use the chart to see what the water is doing before you make the run.

Not for navigation.