About this pier
Imperial Beach Pier sits in the city of Imperial Beach, San Diego County, just a few miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, making it the southernmost public fishing pier in California. The first wooden pier went up in 1909; that structure was gone by 1948. A new pier opened in 1963, then a severe 1986 storm closed it entirely. The city rebuilt it — a full reconstruction, not a patch job — and reopened in March 1989. What you walk today is a wood-plank pier (the Port of San Diego, which has managed it since 1991, replaced still more planks and pilings in a 2024–25 project finished July 2025). The surrounding beach town retains a quieter, more local feel than the bigger San Diego communities to the north.
What you can catch
Imperial Beach Pier falls within CDFW's Southern Management Area, the zone stretching from Point Conception all the way to the Mexico border, where this pier sits near the southern edge. Anglers commonly find barred and walleye surfperch near the pilings, along with corbina and yellowfin croaker working the wide sandy surf zone the area is known for. Mackerel school around the pier's end seasonally, and halibut and stingrays are realistic targets for bait fished on the sandy bottom further out.
License and regulations
No California sport fishing license is required to fish from Imperial Beach Pier, since public piers are exempt under state law. Size limits, bag limits, and seasonal closures for each species remain fully enforced regardless of license status. California also limits public pier anglers to two rods per person. Because pier conditions and regulations can change, check CDFW's current Beach Fishing list before your trip.
Tips for fishing here
The wide, sandy beach here is well known for corbina, so fishing sand crabs on a light leader close to the pilings during calm, clear water is worth prioritizing. A Sabiki rig near the pier's end is effective for mackerel, while a sliding-sinker rig with cut bait on the bottom can turn up halibut or rays. Because Imperial Beach can see stronger surf than more sheltered piers, checking conditions before you go is worthwhile for a safer, more productive trip. Fishing an incoming tide in the early morning tends to produce the most consistent action along this stretch of beach.
Before you go
Imperial Beach's relaxed, small-town feel means less crowding than piers closer to central San Diego, with restrooms and parking generally easier to find. Given its location near the border, some visitors combine a trip here with other South Bay attractions. The wide beach also makes this a comfortable spot for a full day of fishing, with plenty of room to spread out gear. As always, confirm current CDFW regulations and pier status before heading out.