About this pier
The Eureka Boardwalk is a waterfront promenade in Old Town Eureka, roughly along the bay near D–F Streets. It is a popular place to walk and sometimes fish, but it is not the same structure as Del Norte Street Pier. The boardwalk and the pier are about a mile apart and are not connected. Eureka sits in Humboldt County on Humboldt Bay — California's second-largest natural bay — under the Northern groundfish management area.
What you can catch
Anglers fishing licensed shoreline along the Old Town waterfront may encounter perch, jacksmelt, flatfish, and other Humboldt Bay species depending on tide and season. Sturgeon occur in the bay but are catch-and-release only under current North Coast rules. For the dedicated public fishing pier experience, use Del Norte Street Pier instead.
License and regulations
A California sport fishing license is required to fish from the Eureka Boardwalk. Longtime pier references and CDFW's public-pier framework treat the boardwalk as not designated as a public pier. The license-free exemption applies to listed structures such as Del Norte Street Pier and Adorni Center Pier — not this Old Town promenade. Size, bag, and season rules still apply wherever you fish.
Tips for fishing here
If you want license-free pier fishing in Eureka, drive to the west end of Del Norte Street rather than casting from the boardwalk. The boardwalk remains a good place for views across the bay toward the Samoa Peninsula and for learning local maritime history — just bring a license if you fish here.
Before you go
Confirm current city and CDFW rules before fishing any Eureka shoreline. For the CDFW-listed public pier, see Del Norte Street Pier (Eureka).