About this pier
San Francisco's waterfront was once lined with working cargo piers serving shipping traffic into the bay, and Pier 7 is a modern public replacement built where an older industrial pier once stood. Its ornate lampposts and long, straight profile make it a popular spot for walkers, photographers, and anglers alike. Pier 7 sits within the City and County of San Francisco, and the bay waters around it fall under California's San Francisco groundfish management area for fishing regulations tied to bottomfish species.
What you can catch
Anglers on Pier 7 commonly target perch, jacksmelt, and occasional halibut over the sandy bay bottom, while striped bass move through seasonally as they travel between the ocean and inland rivers. Because the pier sits in open bay water rather than a sheltered cove, catches can vary with tide stage and time of year, and persistence with a couple of different rigs often pays off.
License and regulations
Fishing from Pier 7 does not require a California sport fishing license, since public piers are exempt from the license requirement under state law. That exemption applies only to the license itself — size limits, bag limits, and any seasonal closures for the species you're fishing for still apply in full, exactly as they would to a licensed angler fishing from a boat. Anglers are limited to two rods per person while fishing from the pier. Because striped bass and halibut carry their own statewide rules, and any bottomfish caught here falls under the San Francisco groundfish management area, check current regulations before keeping fish, and confirm the pier's open status on CDFW's public pier and beach fishing list before you go.
Tips for fishing here
A simple high-low rig baited with shrimp or bloodworm works well for perch along the pier's pilings, while anglers targeting striped bass often do better with cut anchovy or mackerel fished near the bottom on a moving tide. Because Pier 7 is a popular pedestrian spot as well as a fishing pier, keep gear tidy and be mindful of foot traffic, especially on weekends. Wind off the bay can be brisk even on sunny days, so a windbreaker is worth packing.
Before you go
Pier 7 sits close to downtown San Francisco, so parking can be limited and public transit is often the easier option. Confirm current pier conditions and any temporary restrictions on CDFW's public pier list before heading out, and consider combining your trip with a walk along the rest of the Embarcadero, which offers views of the Bay Bridge, Ferry Building, and passing bay traffic.