How to use our fishing calendar
Planning your next fishing trip in San Rafael, United States ? Today is a good day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, nearby tide chart, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...
- Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
- Use the Tide Clock section to sync bite times with high and low tide chart.
- Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
- Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.
San Rafael, California offers diverse fishing opportunities across San Pablo Bay, the Marin shoreline, and nearby reservoirs, making it a productive Northern California fishing hub. Anglers target striped bass, halibut, sturgeon, and a mix of inshore species from piers, shorelines, kayaks, and boats, with short runs to freshwater lakes for trout and bass. With year-round action and varied habitats, San Rafael fishing appeals to both beginners and seasoned anglers. read more...
Sun and Moon Times
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Nautical Twilight begins:Sunrise:
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Sunset:Nautical Twilight ends:
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Moonrise:
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Moonset:
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Moon over:
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Moon under:
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Visibility:90%
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Waning Gibbous
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Distance to earth:402,134 kmProximity:8.4 %
Moon Phases for San Rafael
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good Day
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major Time:02:37 am - 04:37 am
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minor Time:07:17 am - 09:17 am
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major Time:02:57 pm - 04:57 pm
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minor Time:10:37 pm - 12:37 am
Tides Times for Fishing: Wed, 3 Jun
Tide Clock
Tide Graph
Times
| Tide | Time | Height |
|---|---|---|
| high | 01:44 am | 5.48 ft |
| low | 09:04 am | -0.72 ft |
| high | 04:33 pm | 4.23 ft |
| low | 08:54 pm | 3.15 ft |
Current Fishing Weather
Wind Speed and Direction
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction and Speed are one of the most important aspects for choosing a fishing spot. An offshore wind can help land-based anglers with longer casting distances, while an onshore wind will make kayak fishing safer. Often fish will also move to certain feeding areas depending on the wind direction. Check out the long term wind forecast at the charts below.
Fishing Barometer
Atmospheric Pressure:
Change since midnight:
Trend for next 6 hours:
Atmospheric or Barometric Pressure affects fish activity. The best fishing can be had on a rising barometer and also the time just before it is falling. A steady barometer in the higher ranges can also mean good fishing. A falling or low barometer reading without much change is usually not a very good time for fishing.
UV Effect on Fishing
As a rule of thumb, the higher the UV index, the deeper fish will move. Shallow water fishing is best done at times with a low UV index. When the UV is high, stick to early mornings, late evenings and shaded areas. The effect is less noticable in deeper water, but often a higher UV index can produce good results in the deep.
7 Day Fishing Weather
| Date | Major Bite Times | Minor Bite Times | Sun | Moon | Moonphase | Tide Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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R: S: |
R: S: |
Waning Gibbous |
high:
, 5.64 ft
, Coeff: 101
low:
, -0.82 ft
high:
, 4.2 ft
, Coeff: 55
low:
, 3.12 ft
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|
|
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-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waning Gibbous |
high:
, 5.48 ft
, Coeff: 96
low:
, -0.72 ft
high:
, 4.23 ft
, Coeff: 56
low:
, 3.15 ft
|
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waning Gibbous |
high:
, 5.31 ft
, Coeff: 91
low:
, -0.56 ft
high:
, 4.27 ft
, Coeff: 57
low:
, 3.15 ft
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|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waning Gibbous |
high:
, 5.05 ft
, Coeff: 82
low:
, -0.36 ft
high:
, 4.4 ft
, Coeff: 61
low:
, 3.05 ft
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|
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-
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-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
 Third Quarter Moon |
high:
, 4.72 ft
, Coeff: 72
low:
, -0.1 ft
high:
, 4.56 ft
, Coeff: 66
low:
, 2.79 ft
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|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Third Quarter Moon |
high:
, 4.33 ft
, Coeff: 59
low:
, 0.23 ft
high:
, 4.82 ft
, Coeff: 75
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|
|
-
-
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-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Third Quarter Moon |
low:
, 2.3 ft
high:
, 3.94 ft
, Coeff: 46
low:
, 0.62 ft
high:
, 5.12 ft
, Coeff: 84
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|
-
-
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
Third Quarter Moon |
low:
, 1.64 ft
high:
, 3.67 ft
, Coeff: 38
low:
, 1.08 ft
high:
, 5.48 ft
, Coeff: 96
|
Fishing Overview San Rafael
San Rafael fishing centers on the sheltered waters of San Pablo Bay, the Marin County shoreline, and nearby freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Anglers can work tidal flats and channels for striped bass and halibut, probe deep edges for sturgeon and sharks, or slip inland for bass and trout. Access is excellent, with multiple launch ramps, marinas, and shore spots within a short drive of downtown.
Saltwater and brackish opportunities dominate spring through fall. Striped bass are a headline species, pushing into the San Rafael shoreline, canal, and adjacent flats as water warms in March and April. Peak fishing typically runs through early summer and again in fall. Work current seams and channel edges with soft plastic swimbaits, bucktail jigs, and minnow-style plugs. From shore and piers, many anglers favor high-low bait rigs with pile worms, anchovy strips, or sardine chunks. At night, concentrate around lighted structure, dock edges, and marina mouths where bait congregates.
California halibut move across the sandy bottoms and shoals off San Rafael during late spring and summer. Drifting live bait—anchovies, herring, or smelt—on a sliding sinker rig is a proven approach. When live bait is scarce, slow-troll or drift large soft plastics, curl-tail grubs, or shallow-diving plugs tight to the bottom, focusing on 10–40 feet of water along contour breaks and channel edges. Keep frequent contact with bottom and be ready for subtle pickups rather than aggressive strikes.
The deeper channels of San Pablo Bay near San Rafael also hold white sturgeon, leopard sharks, and bat rays. These species relate strongly to tides. Fish during moving water on the edges of main channels and depressions. Use stout gear and pyramid sinkers to pin oily baits—salmon roe, squid, anchovy, or herring—right on bottom. A rod holder, tight drag, and patience are essential; bites often start as light taps before the rod loads up.
Year-round, piers and public shoreline access points produce perch, kingfish (white croaker), jacksmelt, and shiner perch. Simple high-low rigs with size 4–8 hooks baited with shrimp, squid, or pile worms catch a variety of species. When targeting surfperch along nearby beaches, use light spinning gear, 8–12 lb line, and Carolina rigs with small sandworms or Gulp! sandworm imitations, casting into the whitewater troughs.
Inland, short drives from San Rafael lead to reservoirs and lakes that provide consistent freshwater fishing. Largemouth bass, spotted bass, and smallmouth bass relate to rocky points, submerged timber, and weedlines. In spring, work shallow coves with finesse worms, wacky-rigged stickbaits, and small spinnerbaits. Summer and early fall push fish deeper, where drop-shot rigs, jigs, and deep-diving crankbaits shine along structure in 15–35 feet of water. Early and late in the day, topwater poppers and walking baits draw explosive strikes over flats and submerged humps.
Trout in regional lakes respond best during cooler months. Trolling small spoons and minnow plugs at varying depths helps locate fish; once you find them, note the contour and replicate passes. From shore, fan-cast floating dough baits, inflated nightcrawlers, or small spinners off points that drop quickly into deeper water. Ultralight tackle with 4–6 lb line improves bite rates in clear water.
San Rafael’s mix of tidal estuary, open bay, and nearby freshwater gives anglers multiple backup plans when conditions shift. Pay close attention to tides, wind forecasts, and water clarity, and adjust location and presentation accordingly to unlock the best action in this productive Northern California fishery.
Interactive Fishing Map for the greater San Rafael area
Beaches and Bays are ideal places for land-based fishing. If the beach is shallow and the water is clear then twilight times are usually the best times, especially when they coincide with a major or minor fishing time. Often the points on either side of a beach are the best spots. Or if the beach is large then look for irregularities in the breaking waves, indicating sandbanks and holes. We found 3 beaches and bays in this area.
San Rafael Bay - 4.83352484513km , Gallinas Beach - 5.19048591559km , Carey Camp Creek - 7.43842935886km
Harbours and Marinas can often times be productive fishing spots for land based fishing as their sheltered environment attracts a wide variety of bait fish. Similar to river mouths, harbour entrances are also great places to fish as lots of fish will move in and out with the rising and falling tides. There are 2 main harbours in this area.
San Rafael Yacht Harbor - 1.671396061km, Loch Lomond Yacht Harbor - 4.41955390148km
We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby San Rafael. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.
Municipal Yacht Harbor - 1.28389743144km , San Rafael Yacht Harbor - 1.671396061km , San Anselmo Creek - 2.5557610224km , Simms Island - 2.79946388251km , Tamalpais Creek - 3.02304516646km , Childrens Island - 3.08692187489km , Larkspur Creek - 3.413395204km , Sleepy Hollow Creek - 3.50044040498km , Wood Island - 3.74197333442km , San Rafael Creek - 3.99361467759km , Richardson Island - 4.26450279933km , Phoenix Lake 33-003 Dam - 4.35382327305km , Bill Williams Creek - 4.35521554951km , Loch Lomond Yacht Harbor - 4.41955390148km , Shorebird Marsh - 4.61632304487km , San Rafael Bay - 4.83352484513km , Phoenix Creek - 4.90355186119km , Fairfax Creek - 4.92536169633km , Gallinas Beach - 5.19048591559km , West Marin Island - 5.19829891046km , Deer Park Creek - 5.28548525361km , South Fork Gallinas Creek - 5.38316529259km , East Marin Island - 5.60935823313km , Jakes Island - 5.73884690564km , Bothin Creek - 5.74557207425km , Galena Creek - 5.96731462843km , San Clemente Creek - 6.00468698113km , East Fork Lagunitas Creek - 6.10767268111km , Gallinas Creek - 6.35909035106km , Lagunitas 33-002 Dam - 6.40530169081km , Middle Fork Lagunitas Creek - 6.49641445397km , West Fork Lagunitas Creek - 6.60227741546km , Rat Rock Cove - 6.76529339382km , Bon Tempe 33-006 Dam - 7.30142474647km , Bon Tempe Creek - 7.31900254861km , Carey Camp Creek - 7.43842935886km , West Fork Fern Creek - 7.58126139511km , East Fork Fern Creek - 7.58126139511km , The Sisters - 8.07509924169km , Hidden Lake - 8.25683708645km
Harbours and
Marinas
Beaches
Bays
Wharfs
Points,Reefs,etc
Latest Catches
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