Bank and shore fishing in California
No boat? You still have 39 California waters with listed public access, 243 access sites in all, and 10 of those waters have carry-in or walk-in sites where bank fishing is the whole point. Open any water below to see its depth map, the rated spots within reach of each access point, and what to throw this season.
Access sites come from official agency access inventories where the state publishes one, with OpenStreetMap filling gaps. A carry-in site means you park and walk your gear in. We list where public access exists; always respect posted signs on the ground.
What the California access records show
The current roster links 243 documented public-access sites to 39 waters. 27 waters have more than one listed access option, while 10 have at least one site explicitly described as carry-in, walk-in or shore-oriented. The largest attached site counts are Lake Havasu (64), Clear Lake (49) and Millerton Lake (29). A larger count can offer more launch choices, but it does not make unlisted shoreline public.
Map quality is independent of access quality: 28 charts use measured bathymetry and 11 use labeled approximations. Use the table to shortlist a legal entry point, then open the water page to compare that point with contour breaks and rated fishing spots. Confirm parking, fees, opening hours, seasonal closures and bank-fishing rules with the managing agency before leaving; an access inventory is planning evidence, not a guarantee that every technique is allowed at every site.
| Water | Access sites | Carry-in | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morro Bay | 4 | 3 | survey |
| Tomales Bay | 4 | 3 | survey |
| San Diego Bay | 6 | 2 | survey |
| Bodega Bay | 4 | 2 | survey |
| Half Moon Bay | 2 | 1 | survey |
| Northern Monterey Bay | 2 | 1 | survey |
| Bolinas Bay | 1 | 1 | survey |
| Cuffeys Cove | 1 | 1 | survey |
| Drakes Bay | 1 | 1 | survey |
| Mendocino Bay | 1 | 1 | survey |
| Lake Havasu | 64 | — | survey |
| Clear Lake | 49 | — | survey |
| Millerton Lake | 29 | — | survey |
| Folsom Lake | 9 | — | survey |
| Lake Tahoe | 8 | — | survey |
| Richardson Bay | 4 | — | survey |
| Franks Tract | 3 | — | survey |
| Inner Harbor | 3 | — | survey |
| Middle Harbor | 3 | — | survey |
| Queensway Bay | 3 | — | survey |
| San Pedro Bay | 3 | — | survey |
| Southern Monterey Bay | 2 | — | survey |
| Whiskeytown Lake | 2 | — | survey |
| Albion Cove | 1 | — | survey |
| Bethany Reservoir | 1 | — | survey |
| Central Monterey Bay | 1 | — | survey |
| Lake Del Valle | 1 | — | survey |
| Suisun Bay | 1 | — | survey |
| Sacramento River (Redding) | 7 | — | modeled |
| American River (Lower) | 5 | — | modeled |
| Antelope Lake | 4 | — | modeled |
| Frenchman Lake | 3 | — | modeled |
| Klamath River | 2 | — | modeled |
| Lake Almanor | 2 | — | modeled |
| Lake Davis | 2 | — | modeled |
| Sly Creek Reservoir | 2 | — | modeled |
| Kangaroo Lake | 1 | — | modeled |
| Packer Lake | 1 | — | modeled |
| Topaz Lake | 1 | — | modeled |
Find the closest waters to you →
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