Looking for a place to fish in the East Bay? Good news: you don't need a secret spot or a paid app. The East Bay Regional Park District runs a long list of public fishing lakes and ponds, and the official pages tell you exactly what you need to fish there. Some spots only need your state fishing license. Others also need a $5 daily park permit.
Below are public, beginner-friendly spots, grouped by what you need, plus a few things to check before you go.
Quick answer: For the simplest start, try Lake Anza in Tilden, Jordan Pond in Garin or Shinn Pond in Fremont. They only need a California fishing license if you're 16 or older. Lake Chabot, Del Valle, Contra Loma, Shadow Cliffs, Quarry Lakes and Temescal also need a $5 daily District Fishing Permit. The pier at Point Pinole needs no license at all.
How we picked these spots
- Public access only. Every spot here is a public park open to anyone. No private water, no "secret" spots.
- Official sources only. Permit and rule details come from the park district's and CDFW's own pages, linked below.
- Checked recently. Each fact was checked on the official pages on the date at the bottom. Rules and conditions change, so check again before you go.
Spots that only need a state fishing license
These East Bay Regional Park District lakes and ponds don't need a District Fishing Permit. If you're 16 or older, you still need a California sport fishing license.
- Lake Anza (Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley). See the Tilden park page.
- Don Castro (Castro Valley). See the Don Castro park page.
- Jordan Pond (Garin Regional Park, Hayward). See the Garin park page.
- Shinn Pond (Alameda Creek Trail, Niles/Fremont). See the park district fishing page.
Heads-up: the park district's own pages don't all agree on whether Don Castro needs the District permit. The permit page and the fishing page say no, but the rules page lists it as a permit lake. If you're not sure, a $5 daily permit is the safe choice, or ask at the park.
Spots that also need a $5 daily park permit
At these lakes, anyone 16 or older needs both a California fishing license and a daily District Fishing Permit ($5 a day). You can buy the permit online, at most park entry kiosks, or from dispensers at many of the lakes. See the District Fishing Permit page.
- Lake Chabot (Castro Valley). Lake Chabot park page
- Del Valle (Livermore). Del Valle park page
- Contra Loma (Antioch). Contra Loma park page
- Shadow Cliffs (Pleasanton). Shadow Cliffs park page
- Quarry Lakes (Fremont). Quarry Lakes park page. No lead fishing weights are allowed anywhere in Quarry Lakes, so bring non-lead sinkers.
- Temescal (Oakland). Temescal park page
The park district says permit money helps pay for planting rainbow trout and channel catfish in its lakes.
A pier with no license needed: Point Pinole
In California, you don't need a fishing license to fish from a public pier in ocean waters, and that includes San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. The park district lists the pier at Point Pinole (Richmond) as a place where no license is needed on the pier. Some species still need a report card, even on a pier. See the Point Pinole park page and the CDFW fishing license page.
One catch: this rule only covers public piers in ocean and bay waters. Docks on lakes and ponds don't count, so you still need a license there.
One more: San Pablo Reservoir (EBMUD)
San Pablo Reservoir is run by EBMUD, a water district, not the park district. You need a California fishing license plus an EBMUD fishing permit. The recreation area closes for the season on Nov 8, 2026, so check the San Pablo Reservoir page for current days and hours.
Which spot for which day?
- With kids: a license-only spot keeps it simple. Kids under 16 don't need a license or a park permit, and the adults skip the $5 permit. Check the park page for restrooms and paths before you go.
- Quick trip after work: go to the closest spot on the list, and remember that no fishing is allowed when a park is closed.
- No license yet: try the Point Pinole pier.
- Bringing a kayak or small boat: the park district allows boating at Contra Loma, Del Valle, Lake Chabot, Quarry Lakes and Shadow Cliffs. Boats get checked for invasive mussels, so read the park page first.
What about fishing spot apps?
Spot apps can be handy for maps, catch reports and ideas. Just treat a pin on a map as a lead, not a promise. A spot might be private, closed, or have its own rules. Before you go, check the official park page to confirm it's public, open and what you need to fish there.
Before you go
Before you go - California fishing license if you're 16 or older - $5 District Fishing Permit if the lake needs one - Check the park page for hours, closures and notices - Check the park district's water quality page for algae advisories - Pack out your trash and line
Fishing etiquette
- Give other anglers room. Don't cast across or right next to someone's line.
- Follow posted parking and park rules.
- Pack out everything you bring, especially old fishing line, which can tangle birds and wildlife.
Rules to know
At park district lakes, all state fishing regulations apply. Live bait is limited too: in park district fresh water, the only live bait allowed is worms and nightcrawlers. See the park district's fishing rules page.
Anyone 16 or older needs a California sport fishing license, with a few exceptions such as public ocean piers and free fishing days. See the CDFW fishing license page.
Always check current CDFW regulations: CDFW regulations.
FAQ
Do I need a permit at the lake?
It depends on the lake. Lake Chabot, Del Valle, Contra Loma, Shadow Cliffs, Quarry Lakes and Temescal need a $5 daily District Fishing Permit if you're 16 or older. Lake Anza, Jordan Pond and Shinn Pond don't. Either way, you need a state fishing license if you're 16 or older.
Can my kids fish without a license?
Yes. Kids under 16 don't need a California fishing license, and the park district permit is for anglers 16 and older. Some species still need a report card, even for kids.
Where can I fish in the East Bay without a license?
The pier at Point Pinole, since it's a public pier on San Pablo Bay. Lake docks don't count. You can also fish without a license on CDFW's free fishing days, listed on the CDFW Free Fishing Days page.
What's the water quality like?
It changes. Blue-green algae advisories get posted at some lakes from time to time. Check the park district's water quality page before you go, and keep kids and dogs out of the water when an advisory is up.
Are fishing spot apps worth it?
They can help you find ideas and see what others are catching. Just confirm every spot on the official park page before you drive out.
Keep going
- Not getting bites once you're there? Read Why Am I Not Catching Fish? A 10-Minute Fix List
- Next: Your First Rod, Reel & Line: Buy This, Skip That (coming soon)
- Back to Start Here
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Always check current CDFW regulations. Rules change, and some waters have special rules. Last checked: Oct 20, 2026.