Northern California · United States

Bodega Bay fishing forecast

54 Good of 100

Bodega Bay is a saltwater fishing spot in Northern California, United States. Anglers here target Chinook Salmon, Pacific Albacore, Lingcod. The most productive months are typically May, June, July, August, September, October.

Quick answer

Best monthsMay, June, July, August

Top speciesChinook Salmon, Pacific Albacore, Lingcod

Score now54/100

Local rulesCalifornia

Today’s verdict

Ranks #391 of 437 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today

Trending down — 7 points below this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals

The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.

Helping the score most

Water temperature+23.2Current+9.1Waves+7.8

Pressure trend

Pressure stable — fish feeding on their usual rhythm

Next solunar peak

minor 11:07

Current conditions

Sea surface temp	14.8 °C
Wind	22 km/h from NW
Wave height	1.7 m at 11 s
Current	0.08 m/s toward NNW
Pressure	1013 hPa
Cloud cover	0%
Chlorophyll	12.35 mg/m³
Salinity	32.8 PSU
Mixed-layer depth	10 m
UV index	0
Wind sea	0.2 m at 2 s
Ground swell	1.0 m at 11 s from S
Current shear (surface vs 50 m)	0.08 → 0.00 m/s

The water here is 2.2 °C cooler than the September average of 17.0 °C. Cooler-than-normal water slows the bite for warm-water species and holds cool-water species shallower for longer. The water is mixed to about 26.7 m, with the thermocline below that.

Bodega Bay tide chart & times · 2 km from this spot

Updated 1 h ago.

What the score means at Bodega Bay

Bodega Bay currently scores 54 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 14.8 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.

Water temperature +23.2: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Current +9.1: moving water concentrates bait
Waves +7.8: swell energy stirring the water column
Wind +6.9: surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
Chlorophyll +5.4: plankton density — the base of the food chain
Chlorophyll front +5.0: a plankton edge — classic feeding line

What’s biting now

The model expects today: pacific-albacore, swordfish, pacific-jack-mackerel, chub-mackerel, pacific-barracuda, kelp-bass, california-sheephead, barred-sand-bass

Bite windows

Moon

Waning Crescent · 15% lit

Solunar day rating

50 / 100

Best months for Bodega Bay:

Score history at this spot

30 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-09-02, 70/100

1 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

12 points below the same day last week

About this spot

Water type

Sea

Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · offshore-only

What you can catch

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Pacific Albacore

Thunnus alalunga
Lingcod

Ophiodon elongatus

Best months by species at Bodega Bay

Chinook SalmonOncorhynchus tshawytscha
Pacific AlbacoreThunnus alalunga
LingcodOphiodon elongatus

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

California

Species	Bag limit	Min size	Open season
LingcodT14 CCR §28.27	2/day	min 55.9 cm	Jan 1 – Dec 31
Two fish, 22 inches minimum. THE SEASON AND THE FISHABLE DEPTH ARE NOT STATEWIDE: open and closed dates and depth restrictions are set separately for each of the five Groundfish Management Areas (Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, Central and Southern) under T14 CCR §§27.25–27.45, and the Groundfish Exclusion Areas are closed to lingcod year-round under §27.50. CDFW may also change the rules in-season under §27.20(e). Check the area you are fishing before you go.

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents Resident sport fishing licence required. Additional report cards are required for certain species (salmon, sturgeon)., non-residents Non-resident annual, plus 1-day and 10-day options.

FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only. California groundfish rules — lingcod, rockfish, cabezon and greenling — are set separately for each of five Groundfish Management Areas, vary by depth, and may be changed in-season by emergency action. White seabass has a seasonal sub-limit south of Point Conception. Always verify the current rules for your area at wildlife.ca.gov before fishing.