Venice Pier is a public fishing pier in Los Angeles where you can fish without a license, but the catch is limited and the crowds are heavy

Venice Pier extends about 1,300 feet into Santa Monica Bay and allows fishing from dawn to dusk year-round. You do not need a California fishing license to fish from the pier itself — that is the main draw for casual anglers and tourists. The pier is free to walk on, though parking nearby fills quickly and costs money. The fish you will catch are mostly small: mackerel, perch, croaker, and jacksmelt in the 6- to 12-inch range. Larger halibut and barred surfperch show up in spring and early summer, but they are not common. The pier gets crowded, especially on weekends and during summer, and the fishing pressure means the bite is often slow.

The structure itself is concrete and steel, rebuilt in 2016 after storm damage. It has benches, shade structures, and a small bait shop near the entrance. The pier is wide enough that you can move around other anglers, but during peak hours you will be shoulder-to-shoulder with people fishing, taking photos, and walking through. If you are looking for solitude or a real chance at a large fish, this is not the place. If you want to spend an hour or two fishing in an iconic Los Angeles location without buying a license or driving far from the beach, it works.

Key Takeaways

  • No California fishing license is required to fish from Venice Pier, making it accessible to anyone who wants to cast a line.
  • Most fish caught are small perch, mackerel, and croaker in the 6- to 12-inch range, with occasional larger halibut in spring and early summer.
  • The pier is open dawn to dusk year-round and is free to walk on, though parking in the Venice area is limited and paid.
  • Weekday mornings and early afternoons offer fewer crowds and slightly better fishing than evenings and weekends.
  • Bring your own rod and tackle or buy bait at the shop on the pier; live anchovies and squid work best for most species here.

What Fish You Can Actually Catch

The most common catch on Venice Pier is mackerel — Pacific mackerel and jack mackerel both school through the pier regularly, especially in fall and winter. They hit small spoons, live bait, and even bits of squid. A typical mackerel here runs 8 to 14 inches and fights hard enough to be fun on light tackle. Perch species, including barred surfperch and walleye surfperch, are also reliable. They prefer small hooks baited with sand crabs, bloodworms, or shrimp, and they bite year-round, though spring brings the larger fish.

Croaker — mostly white croaker and yellowfin croaker — round out the regular catch. They are bottom feeders and respond to squid, shrimp, and small live anchovies fished on the bottom. Jacksmelt, a small silvery fish, school in the shallows and are fun on ultralight gear. Halibut and barred surfperch in the 2- to 4-pound range do show up, particularly from April through June, but they are not predictable. Most anglers who fish the pier regularly catch dozens of small fish and maybe one keeper-sized fish per trip. Sharks and rays are common too — mostly small leopard sharks and bat rays — and they are legal to keep but most people release them.

Tackle and Bait That Works

You do not need heavy gear. A 6- to 7-foot medium-light spinning rod with 8- to 10-pound line handles everything on this pier. Bring a small tackle box with size 4 to 2/0 hooks, a few small spoons (1/4 to 1/2 ounce), and some split shot. The bait shop on the pier sells live anchovies, squid, and sometimes sand crabs. Live anchovies are the most versatile — they work for mackerel, perch, croaker, and halibut. Squid is cheaper and lasts longer in the water, but it is slower. If you do not want to buy bait, small metal spoons cast and retrieved slowly will catch mackerel and jacksmelt.

Fish the bottom for perch and croaker using a simple two-hook rig with split shot. Cast out, let it settle, and work it gently. For mackerel and jacksmelt, cast and retrieve slowly or let live bait drift in the current. The pier has pilings and structure underneath, so expect to lose some tackle to snags. Bring extra hooks and line. The water is murky, so bright colors and moving baits work better than natural presentations. Early morning and the hour before sunset are the most productive times, though the pier fishes all day.

When to Fish and What to Expect

Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) are the best seasons. Spring brings larger perch and occasional halibut. Fall brings mackerel schools and cooler water that keeps fish active. Summer is warm, crowded, and slow — the water warms up and fish move deeper or offshore. Winter is fishable but cold and windy, and the swell can make the pier uncomfortable. Weekday mornings before 10 a.m. are the least crowded and often fish better because there is less disturbance in the water.

Expect crowds on weekends, holidays, and summer evenings. The pier draws tourists, families, and other anglers, so you will share space. Parking in Venice is a challenge — the lots near the pier fill by mid-morning on weekends, and street parking is limited and metered. Arriving early or visiting on a weekday makes a real difference in your experience. Bring sunscreen, water, and a hat; there is little shade except under the pier structures, and the sun reflects off the water and concrete.

Rules and Regulations

You do not need a fishing license to fish from Venice Pier, but you must follow California fish and game regulations for size and bag limits. Mackerel have a 10-fish daily limit. Perch species have a 10-fish daily limit. Croaker have a 10-fish daily limit. Halibut have a 5-fish daily limit and must be at least 12 inches. Sharks and rays have their own limits, which vary by species. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website before you go if you plan to keep fish, because limits change and some species have seasonal closures.

The pier has a few practical rules: no live bait for sharks or rays (to discourage feeding large predators), and no chumming. You can keep what you catch within the legal limits, and many anglers do keep mackerel and perch for eating. The pier is public and open to everyone, but respect other anglers and keep your area clean. Do not leave line, hooks, or trash on the pier or in the water.

Getting There and Parking

Venice Pier is at the end of Venice Boulevard, just south of the Venice Boardwalk. The address is 1 Venice Boulevard, Venice, California 90291. If you are driving from central Los Angeles, take the 10 Freeway west to the 405 south, exit at Venice Boulevard, and head west to the pier. The drive from downtown Los Angeles is about 45 minutes in light traffic and much longer during rush hour or on weekends.

Parking is the real challenge. There is a large lot at the pier entrance, but it fills quickly. Street parking along Venice Boulevard and the side streets is metered and limited. On weekends and summer days, you may spend 20 minutes circling for a spot. Arriving before 9 a.m. or visiting on a weekday afternoon improves your odds. Public transit is an option — the Big Blue Bus (Line 1) runs along Venice Boulevard and stops near the pier, though the walk from the stop is about a quarter mile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really not need a fishing license?

Correct — California does not require a license to fish from public piers. You still must follow size and bag limits for each species. If you fish from the beach or wade into the water, you need a license, but standing on the pier itself is license-free.

What is the best time of day to fish?

Early morning, from sunrise to about 10 a.m., is usually best. The second-best window is the hour before sunset. Midday is slow, and evenings get crowded. Weekday mornings are far less crowded than weekend mornings and often fish better because of less disturbance.

Can I bring my own rod or do I have to rent?

Bring your own. There is no rental service on the pier. A basic 6- to 7-foot spinning rod costs $30 to $60 new, and you will use it again. The bait shop sells tackle and bait but not rods.

Is the water safe to eat fish from?

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife does not have a health advisory for Santa Monica Bay at Venice Pier, so fish caught here are legal to keep and eat. Most anglers keep mackerel and perch. Rinse them well and cook thoroughly. If you are concerned, check the state's fish consumption advisories online before you go.

What should I do if I hook a shark or ray?

Sharks and rays are common and legal to keep within bag limits, but most anglers release them. If you hook one, keep tension on the line, bring it in carefully, and use pliers or a tool to remove the hook — do not put your hands near the mouth. If you want to release it, cut the line if necessary rather than risk injury.