Fishing in the City - San Francisco Bay Area

Learn to Fish Clinics

Updated 12/1/2023

For children's events in Santa Clara County, see the County's Fishing in the City program

Date/Time Event Location Event/Volunteer Contact Cost
April 21, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Learn to Fish at Ed Levin County Park Sandy Wool Lake, Milpitas Carrie.Grisenti@prk.sccgov.org Parking fee only
May 4, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Novato Fishing in the City
Note: This event is geared towards children ages 6-15 years old. All participants must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must complete a 45-minute Learn-to-Fish clinic that features educational displays and mini workshops in order to borrow bait, tackle and rods. Once they have completed the clinic they may fish until noon.
Scottsdale Pond, Novato For registration questions contact the City of Novato at (415) 899-8290 Free

Learn to Fish Videos

New online Learn-to-Fish videos are available. These were designed for adults wishing to try the sport for the first time as well as parents wanting to teach their child to fish. Parents may want to read this guide to help you teach your child to fish.

Where to Fish

Community Fishing and Watershed Education

two little girls holding a bucket

Community programs provide opportunities to enjoy aquatic resources while helping community members understand the role they play in maintaining clean and healthy waterways. This is achieved through the cooperation of community institutions including schools, service clubs, local government, park agencies, water districts, storm water pollution prevention programs, tackle retailers, CDFW and anyone else that is interested in kids, fishing and clean water. The ultimate goal is to create repeatable fishing experiences, improve recreational opportunities for residents of your community, and to create stewards of our waterways.

Contact / Connect

For more information about the Fishing in the City program in the San Francisco and South Bay areas, contact Ryan Spencer: Ryan.Spencer@wildlife.ca.gov / (707) 898-3974.

Get updates on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and which Bay Area Lakes are being stocked. Follow @SFFishincity

Sport Fish Restoration

Bay Delta Region (Region 3)
Regional Manager: Erin Chappell
Main Office: 2825 Cordelia Road, Suite 100, Fairfield, CA 94534 | (707) 428-2002
Stockton Office: 2109 Arch Airport Rd, Stockton, CA 95206 | (209) 234-3420
Email the Bay Delta Region | Program Contacts