Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon fishing forecast
Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon is a saltwater fishing spot in Central California, United States. Anglers here target Pacific Salmon, Pacific Halibut, Lingcod, Yellowtail Amberjack. The most productive months are typically May, June, July, August, September, October.
Today’s verdict
Ranks #347 of 437 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today
In line with 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.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 15.9 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 11 km/h from ENE, gusting 16 km/h |
| Wave height | 1.6 m at 11 s |
| Current | 0.10 m/s toward NNW |
| Pressure | 1012 hPa |
| Depth | 148 m |
| Cloud cover | 0% |
| Chlorophyll | 1.67 mg/m³ |
| Salinity | 33.3 PSU |
| Mixed-layer depth | 11 m |
| UV index | 0 |
| Wind sea | 0.0 m at 0 s |
| Ground swell | 1.3 m at 11 s from S |
| Current shear (surface vs 50 m) | 0.10 → 0.00 m/s |
The water here is 1.1 °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.
Santa Cruz tide chart & times · 18 km from this spot
Updated 1 h ago.
What the score means at Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon
Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon currently scores 59 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 15.9 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.
- Water temperature +24.8
- how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
- Chlorophyll +18.0
- plankton density — the base of the food chain
- Current +10.4
- moving water concentrates bait
- Waves +8.5
- swell energy stirring the water column
- Wind +8.0
- surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
- Chlorophyll front +5.0
- a plankton edge — classic feeding line
What’s biting now
The model expects today: yellowtail-amberjack, swordfish, pacific-jack-mackerel, chub-mackerel, pacific-barracuda, kelp-bass, california-sheephead, barred-sand-bass
Bite windows
Best months for Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon:
Score history at this spot
30 days tracked at this exact location
Best recent day: 2026-08-10, 78/100
2 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period
About this spot
Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.
Approximate bottom depth: 148 m
Access & shore
Best reached by boat · offshore-only
What you can catch
-
Oncorhynchus spp.
-
Hippoglossus stenolepis
-
Ophiodon elongatus
-
Seriola lalandi
Best months by species at Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon
| Pacific SalmonOncorhynchus spp. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific HalibutHippoglossus stenolepis | ||||||||||||
| LingcodOphiodon elongatus | ||||||||||||
| Yellowtail AmberjackSeriola lalandi |
Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| 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. | |||
| Yellowtail AmberjackT14 CCR §28.37 | 10/day | min 61 cm | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Ten fish daily. The 24-inch fork-length minimum carries an explicit exception: five fish under 24 inches may be taken or possessed within the ten. | |||
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.
Check Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon before you go
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Nearby spots
Explore 10 more fishing spots within 481 km of Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon.
-
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Lake Tahoe CA
Lake Tahoe
Sacramento River California
Santa Barbara Channel Islands
Channel Islands CA
Pyramid Lake NV
Shasta Lake California
Eureka Humboldt Bay
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon?
Anglers at Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon target Pacific Salmon, Pacific Halibut, Lingcod and Yellowtail Amberjack.
When is the best time to fish Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon?
The most productive months at Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon are typically May, June, July, August, September, October.
What is the fishing forecast for Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon right now?
Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon currently scores 59 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Can you fish Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon from shore?
Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon is best reached by boat; the scored water sits off a offshore-only.
Is the thermocline set up at Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon right now?
Not strongly right now — the water column is fairly mixed, so fish are less depth-locked.
How deep is the water at Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon?
The scored point sits over roughly 148 m of water. Depth shapes which species hold here and how the thermocline forms.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Salmon: Kings, Coho, and SockeyeHow to Catch Pacific Halibut: The Barn Door of the North PacificHow to Read Tides for Fishing
Forecasts, not guarantees — check local rules before you fish.