Fishing at San Elijo

Yes, you can fish at San Elijo State Beach, but hook-and-line fishing is allowed only from shore. The beach sits beside Swami's State Marine Conservation Area, where the only fishing allowed is recreational hook-and-line fishing from shore, plus spearfishing for white seabass and pelagic finfish such as Pacific bonito. Everyone fishing needs a California fishing license. San Elijo Lagoon, at the south end, is closed to all take.

What You Can Catch

California State Parks lists fishing among San Elijo's day-use activities. The rules come from the two marine protected areas that meet here:

Swami's State Marine Conservation Area (the ocean off the beach):

• Allowed: recreational take by hook and line from shore only.
• Allowed: white seabass and pelagic finfish, such as Pacific bonito, by spearfishing.
• Not allowed: all other take, such as gathering shellfish or catching lobster.

San Elijo Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area (inside the lagoon): no take of anything, and no boating, swimming, wading or diving.

All existing take regulations still apply on top of these limits, and the official rules are in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 632. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife posts the current details at wildlife.ca.gov/MPAs.

License

A fishing license is required for any fishing here. Buy it before you go.

Where Not to Fish

Keep clear of swimmers and surfers. Do not climb the bluffs to reach the water; the posted order keeps everyone off the coastal bluffs.

Protect Your Gear

California State Parks says fishing poles are among the items most often stolen from unattended campsites. Lock rods and tackle in your vehicle or tent at night.

Grunion

California State Parks notes that grunion breed in the waters around Swami's Reef, along with lobsters and halibut. The agency's San Elijo pages do not publish grunion run dates or rules, so check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife before planning a grunion outing.