About this pier
Del Norte Street Pier is Eureka's designated public fishing pier at the west end of Del Norte Street (near 1200 W Del Norte St), extending into Humboldt Bay — California's second-largest natural bay. It is a separate place from the Eureka Boardwalk in Old Town (near D–F Streets), about a mile away and not physically connected to this pier. The pier was rebuilt for public fishing access (opened in 1991 with Wildlife Conservation Board and city support) and sits closer to the harbor entrance than the Old Town waterfront. Eureka is in Humboldt County, and bay and nearshore waters fall under the Northern groundfish management area.
What you can catch
Humboldt Bay is known for perch, flounder and other flatfish over sandy-mud bottom, plus greenling, small rockfish near structure, and jacksmelt. White and green sturgeon also occur in the bay — under current state rules, sturgeon fishing on this part of the North Coast is catch-and-release only; you cannot legally keep a sturgeon here. Because the bay is more sheltered than open coast, it often fishes more consistently in windy weather than exposed ocean piers to the north and south.
License and regulations
Fishing from Del Norte Street Pier itself does not require a California sport fishing license — CDFW lists it among Humboldt County's public piers (along with Adorni Center Pier and the Humboldt Bay jetties). The city also notes 24-hour public fishing at the Del Norte Pier. That exemption covers the license only: size limits, bag limits, seasons, and gear rules still apply in full. On a public pier you may use no more than two rods and lines (or two hand lines, or two crab appliances) per person under CCR Title 14, Section 28.65(b).
Do not confuse this pier with the Eureka Boardwalk. The Old Town boardwalk is a separate waterfront walk roughly a mile from here. It is not designated as a CDFW public pier, so fishing from the boardwalk itself requires a sport fishing license even though people sometimes fish there informally. License-free fishing applies to the Del Norte Street Pier structure (and other listed public piers), not the boardwalk promenade.
Tips for fishing here
Fishing near slack tide, right before the current reverses, tends to produce steadier bites for bay bottomfish. A simple two-hook bottom rig with shrimp or clam works well for perch and flounder. Humboldt Bay water can be murkier than open coast, so scent-based bait often outperforms lures. Dress for wind off the bay. Drive west on Del Norte Street to the pier — do not assume Old Town boardwalk parking puts you on this structure.
Before you go
Eureka has full services and bait shops nearby. Confirm the pier's open status on CDFW's public pier list and city marina notices. If you plan to fish the Old Town boardwalk, beaches, or other non-listed shoreline, bring a valid license. For another Eureka license-exempt option, see Adorni Center Pier on CDFW's Humboldt list. A separate visit to the Old Town boardwalk is still worthwhile for maritime history and bay views toward the Samoa Peninsula — just treat it as a licensed fishing spot if you cast from there.