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7,205-acre Tomales Bay fishing map with NOAA H10512/H10513/H10524 survey contours in native MLLW (92.25% measured, 96.61% assessed), charted fishing spots, official fish and forage evidence, public launch access and current advisories. The water tops out around 60 ft. The depth chart is built from real agency bathymetry referenced to MLLW; directly measured coverage remains distinguished from source interpolation. The channels, holes and drop-offs come from the source data, not a distance-from-shore model. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Drawn out, this is 7,207 acres of water rimmed by 41.3 miles of bank, broken up by 4 islands. With a shoreline index of 3.5, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 69% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. The basin spans about 13.1 mi end to end and 2.4 mi across at its widest. The nearest mapped water is Bodega Bay, 10 mi to the northwest.
In spring, california halibut run shallow here, mostly 5 to 30 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 40 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 60 ft. Shallow feeding flat is the standout, a feeding flat at roughly 19 ft, rated prime for spring california halibut. Time it for early morning. You won't need more than a paddletail dragged on sand or a bucktail + strip most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 30 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow feeding flat (19 ft) | Swimbait on 1/2-1 oz head (drifted), Hair raiser jig |
| Summer | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Shallow feeding flat (19 ft) | Paddletail dragged on sand, Bucktail + strip |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | midday | Surveyed channel edge (36 ft) | Heavier jig + swimbait (channels), Drifted bucktail |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | midday | Surveyed channel edge (36 ft) | Slow-dragged swimbait in deep channels |
Come spring, look for striped bass tight to the bank in 5 to 20 ft. Expect a summer slide to 25 to 60 ft, then a winter hold in 20 to 50 ft. Start at Surveyed channel edge. It's a drop-off holding about 36 ft of water and rates good come summer. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A topwater walker at low light or a paddletail on a light jig is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Surveyed channel edge (14 ft) | 3-5 inch baitfish swimbait, Suspending minnow plug |
| Summer | 25 to 60 ft | dawn & dusk | Surveyed channel edge (36 ft) | Topwater walker at low light, Paddletail on a light jig |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Surveyed channel edge (14 ft) | Baitfish swimbait, Metal jig |
| Winter | 20 to 50 ft | midday | Surveyed channel edge (36 ft) | Slow paddletail, Bucktail near bottom |
In spring, surfperch run shallow here, mostly 2 to 18 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 3 to 25 ft before dropping to 6 to 35 ft for winter. Fall surfperch concentrate at NOAA charted underwater rock, a prime-rated rock pile around 11 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a 1–2 inch grub or a small paddletail most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 18 ft | dawn | NOAA charted pier (2 ft) | Small grub on a light jig, Sand-crab imitation |
| Summer | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | NOAA charted underwater rock (3 ft) | 1-2 inch grub, Small paddletail |
| Fall | 4 to 30 ft | dawn | NOAA charted underwater rock (11 ft) | Small jig and grub, Compact spoon |
| Winter | 6 to 35 ft | midday | NOAA charted underwater rock (11 ft) | Slow small grub, Light bottom jig |
In spring, jacksmelt run shallow here, mostly 2 to 20 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 3 to 25 ft before dropping to 5 to 35 ft for winter. Summer jacksmelt concentrate at NOAA charted pier, a prime-rated dock line around 7 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a micro jig or a small spoon most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | NOAA charted pier (2 ft) | Sabiki-style small-flash rig, Tiny metal jig |
| Summer | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | NOAA charted pier (7 ft) | Micro jig, Small spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 30 ft | dawn | NOAA charted pier (7 ft) | Tiny metal jig, Small-flash rig |
| Winter | 5 to 35 ft | midday | NOAA charted pier (7 ft) | Micro jig worked deeper, Small-flash rig |
Come spring, look for leopard shark tight to the bank in 3 to 25 ft. Through summer count on 2 to 25 ft; the winter hold is 8 to 45 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow feeding flat: a feeding flat around 19 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A scented bottom jig is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dusk | Shallow feeding flat (19 ft) | Scented shrimp jig crawled on bottom |
| Summer | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow feeding flat (19 ft) | Scented bottom jig |
| Fall | 4 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow feeding flat (19 ft) | Scented shrimp or baitfish jig |
| Winter | 8 to 45 ft | midday | Surveyed channel edge (36 ft) | Slow scented bottom jig |
Spring puts bat ray in skinny water — 3 to 30 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 2 to 35 ft; cold water stacks them in 10 to 50 ft. Shallow feeding flat is the standout, a feeding flat at roughly 19 ft, rated prime for spring bat ray. Plan around the evening in the warm months. A scented bottom jig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 30 ft | dusk | Shallow feeding flat (19 ft) | Scented crab jig on bottom |
| Summer | 2 to 35 ft | dusk | Shallow feeding flat (19 ft) | Scented bottom jig |
| Fall | 4 to 40 ft | dusk | Shallow feeding flat (19 ft) | Scented crab or shrimp jig |
| Winter | 10 to 50 ft | midday | Surveyed channel edge (36 ft) | Slow scented bottom rig |
Count 139 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Surveyed channel edge, sits near 36 ft.
Access data: Marin County Parks — Miller Boat Launch. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for California waters are set by the California DFW (San Francisco Region ocean fishing) — and special regulations can apply to Tomales Bay specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official California fishing regulations →
Tomales Bay is about 60 ft (18 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart is built from real agency bathymetry referenced to MLLW; directly measured coverage remains distinguished from source interpolation. The contours reflect measured and quality-assessed source depths.
Anglers target california halibut, striped bass, surfperch, jacksmelt, leopard shark, bat ray on Tomales Bay.
NOAA charted pier is the top-rated area: a dock line in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for jacksmelt in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For california halibut, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Tomales Bay is regulated by the California DFW (San Francisco Region ocean fishing). Check the official California regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Bodega Bay 10 mi · Drakes Bay 12 mi · Petaluma River 20 mi · Bolinas Bay 23 mi · San Pablo Bay 29 mi · Richardson Bay 30 mi · Napa River 33 mi · Lake Berryessa 47 mi · Suisun Bay 50 mi · Half Moon Bay 53 mi · Clear Lake 61 mi · Big Break 66 mi
See how Tomales Bay stacks up: best striped bass lakes in California · best california halibut lakes in California · best surfperch lakes in California
Browse all California fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: NOAA NCEI hydrographic surveys (MLLW; 92% measured, 4% source-interpolated). How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.