California · Northern California
CHINOOK SALMON FISHING
IN BODEGA BAY
Bodega Bay is an excellent destination for chinook salmon fishing, with peak season in May, June, July and good catches in August. Book a charter and target chinook salmon with local experts.
About Chinook Salmon Fishing in Bodega Bay
The king of salmon and the most prized sportfish on the Pacific coast. Chinook — also called king salmon — are the largest Pacific salmon species, with trophy fish exceeding 50 pounds in Alaska and Northern California rivers. Their powerful runs and acrobatic fights make them the ultimate West Coast gamefish from spring through fall.
Chinook Salmon — universally called King Salmon — are the largest and most prized Pacific salmon species. These magnificent fish can exceed 50 pounds in Alaskan rivers and 30+ pounds in California and Oregon waters. Kings are anadromous, born in freshwater rivers, migrating to the Pacific Ocean to feed and grow for 2-7 years, then returning to their natal streams to spawn and die. Their chrome-bright ocean phase features a dark blue-green back speckled with black spots, bright silver sides, and a white belly. Spawning fish turn dark olive to maroon. Males develop a pronounced hooked jaw ("kype") and humped back during the spawn.
Scientific name: Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Chinook Salmon Seasonal Calendar — Bodega Bay
Month-by-month availability for chinook salmon in Bodega Bay, CA.
How to Catch Chinook Salmon in Bodega Bay
Techniques & Bait
Ocean trolling with downriggers is the primary technique, running herring or anchovy cut-plugs at 30-120 feet behind flashers or dodgers. Mooching (drifting with weighted herring or anchovy) is a classic Pacific Northwest method. In rivers, back-trolling with Kwikfish, Mag Lips, or bait-wrapped plugs is deadly. Bank anglers do well drifting cured salmon roe under a float through holding water. In Alaska, backbouncing eggs or casting spinners (Blue Fox, Rooster Tails) in river systems produces trophy kings.
Recommended Tackle
Ocean trolling: 8-9 ft medium-heavy downrigger rod, level-wind reel, 25-40 lb mono or 50 lb braid. River fishing: 8'6"-10'6" medium-heavy rod, spinning or level-wind reel, 15-30 lb main line, 12-20 lb fluorocarbon leader. In Alaska, heavier gear (30-50 lb) is common for 40+ lb fish.
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Bodega Bay
Top spots where local captains target chinook salmon and other nearshore species.
Tomales Point Reefs
Tomales Point at the northern tip of Point Reyes features rocky nearshore reefs where lingcod, cabezon, and multiple rockfish species hold in kelp-covered structure from 30 to 80 feet deep. The point's exposed position catches nutrient-rich currents that support productive reef ecosystems close to Bodega Bay.
Bodega Rock
Bodega Rock is a prominent nearshore sea stack and reef complex just outside Bodega Harbor where blue rockfish, black rockfish, lingcod, and cabezon concentrate around the rock's submerged ledges and kelp forest. Small boats from Bodega Bay reach this productive spot within minutes of launching.
Horseshoe Cove
Horseshoe Cove south of Bodega Head provides a partially sheltered nearshore fishing ground where rocky reef transitions meet sandy bottom, holding lingcod, halibut, and rockfish in close proximity. The cove's kelp canopy shelters schools of blue and olive rockfish that are accessible to small-boat anglers.
Carmet Beach Reef
The rocky reef structure off Carmet Beach north of Bodega Bay holds cabezon, greenling, and rockfish along submerged rock ledges in 20 to 60 feet of water. Shore anglers cast into the reef zone from the beach's rocky headlands, while boat anglers drift the reef edges for lingcod.
Other Species in Bodega Bay
More fish you can target while visiting Bodega Bay.
Chinook Salmon Fishing in Bodega Bay — FAQ
The peak months for Chinook Salmon fishing in Bodega Bay are May, June, July. During these months, Chinook Salmon are most active and abundant in the Bodega Bay area.
Chinook Salmon fishing charters in Bodega Bay are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Ocean trolling with downriggers is the primary technique, running herring or anchovy cut-plugs at 30-120 feet behind flashers or dodgers. Mooching (drifting with weighted herring or anchovy) is a classic Pacific Northwest method. In rivers, back-trolling with Kwikfish, Mag Lips, or bait-wrapped plugs is deadly. Bank anglers do well drifting cured salmon roe under a float through holding water. In Alaska, backbouncing eggs or casting spinners (Blue Fox, Rooster Tails) in river systems produces trophy kings.
No — when you book a charter in Bodega Bay, your captain provides all required California fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Chinook Salmon regulations in California include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Chinook Salmon in Bodega Bay, you may also catch Rockfish, Lingcod, Dungeness Crab, Pacific Halibut, Albacore Tuna. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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