Unique Parks for Fishing in Sonoma County

Fishing is plentiful in Sonoma County, California, with great places to fish at parks on the Russian River, on San Pablo Bay, along the 55-mile Pacific Ocean Coast, and by lakes, streams, and ponds.

Anglers 16 years of age and older must carry a valid California sportfishing license. Other fishing regulations, as well as no-fishing areas, can change throughout the year, so it’s a good idea to check the latest regulations before a fishing trip. Some parts of the Sonoma County coast are Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) where fishing is not allowed. Visit wildlife.ca.gov for information on licensing, seasons, and more.

Here are some of the very best places to relax and fish in Sonoma County.

Russian River Fishing

The Russian River is a year-round fishing destination, with steelhead runs in fall and winter, shad in the spring, and bass, bluegill, and catfish in summertime.

A few things to know about fishing in the Russian River:

• Barbed hooks are not allowed on the river
• Bait cannot be used from November through April
• Wild steelhead caught in the river must be released

Good parks for fishing the Russian River include:

Cloverdale River Park in the charming town of Cloverdale: The park offers seasonal fishing and a boat launch area with parking for kayaks, canoes, and drift boats.

Del Rio Woods in Healdsburg: This beautiful park’s gravel beach is a year-round fishing spot.

Steelhead Beach and Wohler Bridge in Forestville: Both locations offer seasonal fishing and access to the gated boat (with a purchased key), for small craft such as drift boats, kayaks, and canoes.

Sunset Beach River Park in the town of Forestville: Offering easy access to the Russian River, Sunset Beach is an excellent year-round spot for fishing and other river activities.

Sonoma Coast Fishing

Sonoma County’s 55-mile coastline is a great place to fish from shore or venture onto the water for open-ocean fishing, whether you launch your own craft or hop on a commercial fishing boat. Species you’ll find hereabouts include salmon, halibut, cod, and tuna — and, of course, world-famous Dungeness crab.

Great places to head for fishing on the Sonoma Coast include:

In Bodega Bay:

• Doran Regional Park has a rock jetty at the harbor mouth that’s a good place to fish or crab, plus a launch for privately owned boats.
• Spud Point Marina is home to day-trip sportfishing adventures offered by Bodega Bay Sport Fishing Center.
• Westside Regional Park provides a launch for privately owned boats.

Sonoma Coast State Park: The waters of this amazingly beautiful park — a 17-mile stretch of beaches and bluffs — are home to species that include rockfish, perch, salmon, steelhead, and smelt. Two beaches in particular are notable for fishing:

• Salmon Creek Beach North and Salmon Creek Beach South in Bodega Bay, where you can fish from two miles of scenic and sandy beach.
• Shell Beach in Jenner: This is a favorite spot for anglers. 

Fort Ross State Historic Park in Jenner: Abalone and rockfish abound in coastal waters surrounding this park. Abalone divers must carry a current Abalone Report Card and adhere to limits.

Salt Point State Park in Jenner: Salt Point is an excellent spot for surf fishing and abalone diving. However, marine life is protected in the State Marine Reserves of Gerstle Cove and Stewarts Point.

Stillwater Cove Regional Park in Jenner: Known for abalone diving. A beach launch facility, available year-round, is available for loading and offloading boats or kayaks. Abalone divers must carry a current Abalone Report Card and adhere to limits.

Gualala Point Regional Park in Gualala: Offers limited seasonal fishing on the Gualala River (catch-and-release Steelhead fishing), as well as Pacific Ocean surf fishing.

Fishing in Lakes, Ponds, and San Pablo Bay

Austin Creek State Recreation Area in Guerneville: NOTE: This area, including Bullfrog Pond, may be closed due to fire damage. Visit the park website for updates.

Howarth Park in Santa Rosa: This 152-acre community park features the 26-acre Lake Ralphine, which contains largemouth bass and bluegill; it’s also stocked with catchable trout from fall through spring.

Hudeman Slough Boat Launch in the town of Sonoma: NOTE: Hudeman Slough Boat Launch may be closed for renovations; learn about the Hudeman Slough Boat Launch improvement project. The Slough contains striped bass, among others, and offers access to the extensive fishing available in San Pablo Bay.

Lake Sonoma in Geyserville: The 2,700-acre lake is home to largemouth and smallmouth bass, along with redear sunfish, catfish, and non-stocked native coastal rainbow trout. Shorefishing is limited because shore access is difficult, but boat rentals are available at Lake Sonoma Marina, and there are two boat launches for privately owned boats.

Riverfront Regional Park in Healdsburg near downtown Windsor: Located along the Russian River, Riverfront features two beautiful fishing lakes holding bass: Lake Benoist and Lake Wilson (a third water body, Lake McLaughlin, does not have public access).

Spring Lake Regional Park in Santa Rosa: The county’s most popular regional park is named for its 72-acre lake, which is home to blue gill, bass, and sunfish. You can fish from the lake’s shore or from a small craft (there’s a boat launch for privately-owned craft, as well as hourly boat rentals).

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Kenwood: This park is home to the headwaters of Sonoma Creek, where trout fishing is permitted upstream of the waterfall during the open season from the last Saturday in April through November 15. Fishing is strictly catch-and-release, using artificial lures with barbless hooks. Sonoma Creek below the waterfall is closed to fishing to protect sensitive habitat. The creek is not stocked, and the best fishing occurs in late spring and early summer.

Trione-Annadel State Park in Santa Rosa: This park, more than 5,000 acres in size, is home to man-made 26-acre Lake Ilsanjo. The lake isn’t stocked, but maintains a steady population of bluegill and largemouth bass that draws anglers.

Find more fun things to do, or great places to stay when you come fishing in Sonoma County.

Together, we can protect and preserve the beauty and natural resources of Sonoma County for generations to come. Check out our page on Sustainable Travel, and look over the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.

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Written By Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriquez