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Offshore

Cordell Bank Fishable Waters

Offshore · California · Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary fishable waters

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Location Snapshot

Cordell Bank Fishable Waters is a Northern California offshore-bank fishery within sanctuary waters, distinct from the Farallon Islands and Golden Gate shoreline. Chinook salmon, lingcod, and black rockfish are the principal supported targets, with albacore adding an open-water pelagic component.

Information Only

StrikeTracks does not currently provide an Offshore fishing-condition rating. Marine Conditions are observations and forecasts for trip planning. They are not an Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor fishing score.

Marine Conditions

Planning context — not a fishing rating.

Offshore Waters Forecast

Today

SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 8 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: NW 10 ft at 13 seconds and S 3 ft at 16 seconds.

Wave Height

4.9 ft

Nearby / representative

San Francisco, CA (46026) · NDBC 46026

Wave Direction

WNW

Nearby / representative

San Francisco, CA (46026) · NDBC 46026

Nearby fishing destinations

Fishery Profile

Fishery Overview

Cordell Bank Fishable Waters offshore fishery

Cordell Bank is a named offshore bank in Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, separate from the Farallon Islands and from the Golden Gate shore. Chinook salmon, lingcod, and black rockfish are the bank fish. Fishing is allowed under sanctuary gear rules. No-take overlays stay excluded.

Fishery type
  • Offshore bank sanctuary
Fishing modes
  • Offshore boat
Habitat and structure
Offshore bank · Fishable sanctuary waters

Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Not a live bite forecast.

Fishery Targets

Seasons for Chinook change with the annual rules. Lingcod and black rockfish follow annual rules and a typical season. Pacific halibut seasons follow the annual rules.

This reflects typical biological/fishery timing, not a legal open season. Check current regulations before fishing.

Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations

  • Chinook Salmon illustration

    Chinook Salmon

    PrimaryRegulations vary annually

    Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

    Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER — EARLY FALL

  • Lingcod illustration

    Lingcod

    PrimaryRegulations vary annually

    Ophiodon elongatus

    Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER

  • Black rockfish illustration

    Black rockfish

    Primary

    Sebastes melanops

    Also called Black bass

    Typical seasonal opportunity: SPRING — FALL

  • Albacore illustration

    Albacore

    Secondary

    Thunnus alalunga

    Also called Longfin tuna

    No seasonal pulse known

Typical Seasonal Targets

  • Chinook Salmon — SUMMER — EARLY FALL
  • Lingcod — SUMMER
  • Black rockfish — SPRING — FALL

Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.

Access, Safety and Regulations

Access

Offshore boat from Bodega / San Francisco fleets. No shore access on the bank.

Primary hazards

Deeper than typical harbor rockfish. Sanctuary gear rules apply.

Fishery considerations

  • Golden Gate tides are not representative of this location.
  • Regional NWS.

Regulations

Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.

View current recreational saltwater regulations (opens in a new tab)

Location and Access

Offshore · California

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This marker is the mapped fishing area. It is not a boat ramp, a parking area, or a place to drive to.