Dillon Beach sits at the intersection of the open Pacific and Tomales Bay, and that geography makes it one of the most versatile fishing spots on the Northern California coast. You can surf fish from the beach, launch a boat into the bay, dig clams at low tide, or drive 30 minutes to Bodega Bay for deep-sea charters. Whether you’re a serious angler or someone who just wants to cast a line and see what happens, there’s something here for you.
Surf Fishing from the Beach
The simplest way to fish at Dillon Beach is to grab a rod, walk onto the sand, and cast into the surf. No boat, no guide, no complicated logistics. Just you and the ocean.
What you’ll catch
The main beach at Dillon Beach produces a solid variety of species throughout the year:
- Barred surf perch — The bread and butter of Dillon Beach surf fishing. These are fun to catch, put up a good fight for their size, and taste excellent. They run in schools close to shore, especially in the troughs between sandbars.
- Redtail surf perch — Larger than barred perch and just as common. They hit sand crabs and worms aggressively.
- Striped bass — Stripers move through during spring and fall. When they’re running, the action can be fast. These are bigger fish that will test your gear.
- Halibut — California halibut cruise the sandy shallows, especially in summer. They’re ambush predators — cast a grub or live bait along the bottom and work it slowly.
- Rockfish — Occasionally caught from shore near the rocky outcrops at the south end of the beach. More common from boats, but shore-caught rockfish happen.
No fishing license needed
Here’s something that surprises a lot of people: you do not need a fishing license to fish from the ocean shore in California. That’s right — surf fishing from the beach, from rocks, from a pier, from any publicly accessible ocean shoreline is license-free. This applies to Dillon Beach’s entire ocean-facing shoreline. You still need to follow size limits, bag limits, and seasonal closures, but you don’t need to buy a license.
Note: this only applies to ocean fishing from shore. If you fish in Tomales Bay, from a boat, or in fresh water, you do need a California fishing license.
Where to cast
The best surf fishing spots at Dillon Beach are in the troughs — the deeper channels that form between sandbars. You can spot them by watching where the waves break. Waves break over shallow sandbars and flatten out over deeper troughs. Cast into the troughs and let your bait sit. Early morning and the two hours around high tide tend to be the most productive.
The area near the rocky outcrops at the south end is also productive, as fish congregate around structure. Just be careful of your footing on the rocks and watch for waves.
Bay Fishing from Lawson’s Landing
Lawson’s Landing sits right on Tomales Bay and has a concrete boat ramp, making it the gateway to bay fishing in the area. If you have a small boat, kayak, or canoe, you can launch here and access some excellent fishing.
What the bay holds
- California halibut — Tomales Bay is known for halibut, especially in the sandy areas of the outer bay. Drift fishing with live bait or soft plastics is the most popular method.
- Leopard shark — Common in the bay from spring through fall. These are beautiful, spotted sharks that fight hard. Most people practice catch and release, though they are legal to keep within limits.
- Bat rays — Big, strong, and common in the mud flats of the bay. They’re not great eating, but they’re a blast to fight on light tackle. Most anglers release them.
- Perch and jacksmelt — Smaller species that are plentiful and fun for kids or anyone who wants consistent action.
A California fishing license is required for bay fishing from a boat. You can buy one online at the CDFW website or at sporting goods stores in Petaluma.
Clamming at Lawson’s Landing
Clamming is a Dillon Beach tradition, and Lawson’s Landing is ground zero for it. The mud and sand flats near the bay are home to horseneck clams (also called gaper clams) — large, meaty bivalves that are prized for chowder, fritters, and steaming.
How it works
Clamming is done at low tide. You walk the exposed flats looking for the telltale “shows” — small holes or squirts of water in the mud that indicate a clam below. When you find one, you dig. Horseneck clams can be 12–18 inches down, so bring a narrow-bladed clam shovel (a “clam gun”) or a standard garden spade. It’s a workout, but the satisfaction of pulling a big clam out of the mud is hard to beat.
What you need
- California fishing license with a bay/estuary enhancement stamp — required for clam digging
- A clam gauge — to measure your catch (must be at least 4 inches for horseneck clams)
- A bucket or mesh bag to hold your clams
- Rubber boots or old shoes — you will get muddy
- Knowledge of current regulations — check the CDFW website before you go for bag limits (typically 10 per person for horseneck) and any closures
Important: check for closures
Tomales Bay is occasionally closed to shellfish harvesting due to elevated levels of domoic acid (a naturally occurring toxin produced by certain algae) or bacterial contamination. Always check the CDFW shellfish hotline or website before clamming. This is a health safety issue — don’t skip this step.
Crabbing
Dungeness crab season typically runs from November through June (recreational), and the waters near Dillon Beach produce excellent crab. You can set crab pots or hoop nets from a boat in Tomales Bay or just outside the bay mouth.
You’ll need a California fishing license and a report card for Dungeness crab. Only male crabs measuring at least 5.75 inches across the shell may be kept. The daily bag limit is typically 10. Check CDFW for current regulations, as they can change year to year.
If you don’t have a boat, some anglers have success crabbing from the rocks and shoreline around Lawson’s Landing using hoop nets, though boat-based crabbing is far more productive.
Charter Boats from Bodega Bay
For a full deep-sea fishing experience, Bodega Bay is about 30 minutes south and is home to several charter operations that run trips year-round.
What’s available
- Rockfish trips — The most common charter. Half-day and full-day trips targeting lingcod, various rockfish species, and cabezon. These are bottom-fishing trips over reefs and rocky structure. Action is usually fast, and you’ll bring home dinner.
- Salmon trips — When the season is open (typically spring and summer, but it varies dramatically by year), salmon fishing off the Sonoma Coast is world-class. King salmon in the 15–30 pound range are the target. Check CDFW for season dates, as they’re set annually based on fish populations.
- Crab combo trips — Some charters offer trips that combine crab pot pulls with rockfish or lingcod fishing. Great value and variety.
- Whale-watching trips — Not fishing, but several Bodega Bay boats run whale-watching excursions during the gray whale migration (December–April).
Charters provide all tackle and gear. They’ll also clean your fish at the dock. You typically just need to bring a California fishing license, lunch, warm layers, and motion sickness medication if you’re prone to seasickness (take it before you board, not after).
Best Times to Fish
Here’s a seasonal breakdown to help you plan:
- Fall (September–November): Prime surf perch season. The perch stack up in the surf zone as they prepare for their winter breeding season. Also the start of Dungeness crab season. Stripers are moving through.
- Winter (December–February): Crab season in full swing. Surf fishing is productive on calm days between storms. Rain can muddy the water, which actually helps for perch — they feed more aggressively when visibility is low.
- Spring (March–May): Halibut start showing up in the bay and nearshore. Striped bass run. Leopard sharks arrive in the bay. Perch fishing remains solid.
- Summer (June–August): Halibut peaks. Bay fishing is excellent across all species. Charter boats are running salmon trips (when the season is open). The ocean is calmer, making surf fishing more comfortable.
Gear
You don’t need expensive or specialized gear to fish at Dillon Beach. Here’s a basic surf fishing setup:
- Rod: A 9–10 foot medium-action surf rod. Nothing fancy — a $40–$80 combo from any sporting goods store works fine.
- Reel: A spinning reel in the 4000–6000 size range, spooled with 15–20 pound braided line and a fluorocarbon leader.
- Terminal tackle: A basic Carolina rig (sliding sinker, swivel, leader, hook) is all you need. Size 2–1/0 hooks for perch, larger for stripers and halibut.
- Bait: Sand crabs (dig them in the wet sand at the waterline), blood worms, pile worms, or Berkeley Gulp sand worms. Sand crabs are free and the most effective perch bait there is.
- Sand spike: A rod holder you push into the sand. Lets you set your rod while you wait. Inexpensive and handy.
Lawson’s Landing camp store sells bait and basic tackle. For a full selection, stop at a sporting goods store in Petaluma before you come out.
Cleaning Your Catch
If you’re staying at a vacation rental, many properties have outdoor areas suitable for fish cleaning. Bring a fillet knife, a cutting board, and plastic bags. Clean your fish as soon as possible after catching them, and dispose of carcasses in a sealed bag in the trash — not on the beach or in the rental’s kitchen garbage.
Lawson’s Landing has fish cleaning stations if you’re camping or just fishing for the day. Running water and a flat surface make the job much easier.
If you catch clams or crab, a large pot of boiling water is your friend. Most rental kitchens have what you need. Fresh Dungeness crab boiled in seawater with butter on the side is one of the best meals you’ll ever have — especially when you caught it yourself.
Regulations
Fishing regulations in California change frequently, so always check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website before your trip. Key things to verify:
- Bag limits for your target species
- Size minimums — undersized fish must be released
- Season closures — some species have closed seasons
- Shellfish advisories — check for Tomales Bay closures before clamming
- Marine Protected Areas — some rocky areas near Bodega Head are protected; know the boundaries
The CDFW regulations booklet is available free online and at license vendors. It’s dry reading, but knowing the rules keeps the fishery healthy and keeps you out of trouble.
Planning a fishing trip to Dillon Beach? Dillon Beach Sea Esta is a comfortable home base with a full kitchen for cooking your catch, an outdoor area for cleaning fish, and easy access to the beach and Lawson’s Landing.