Fishing Catalina Island

Just 26 miles from both Newport beach and Long beach an area known as the East End of Catalina Island encompasses the area from the Southern California Edison power plant east of Avalon and east to Church Rock at Catalina's southeast point. Most schools of migrating fish from Mexico, such as barracuda, white seabass, and yellowtail, make their debut in local waters here and many stay for long periods. The power plant, which provides all electricity for the island, is often a fine fishing spot for a variety of species. The underwater seamount off the rock face just east of the plant is a good holding ground for migratory fish, such as yellowtail and white seabass. Kelp beds along the shoreline between the power plant and Seal Rocks at the northeast corner of the island sometimes provide good fishing for kelp bass, yellowtail, barracuda and white seabass. Anglers should be cautious in the area of the active rock quarry midway, as tugs and barges often traverse the area hauling rock an fill dirt to the mainland. The tip of Seal Rocks is a good fishing spot for yellowtail, white seabass and barracuda. There is an offshore reef covered with kelp midway between Seal Rocks and Church Rock underneath a flashing white navigation light halfway up the East End. It is usually a good spot for white seabass.

2.Farnsworth Bank

LAT/LONG # 33 20.35 / 118 31.05

Located about a mile and a half south of Ben Watson Point on the weather side of Catalina
Island, this bank is difficult to locate without navigation and sonar equipment, as it only rises to
within 8 fathoms at its shallowest and consists of a number of rocky pinnacles. It is home to a resident population of yellowtail, which knows every rock and is therefore hard to land unless heavy tackle is used. A variety of bottomfish can be found here and during the early summer months, large schools of sculpin sometimes come to spawn. Nearby, some high spots are home to deepwater rockfish, while the outside of Farnsworth Bank is sometimes a good spot for marlin during summer and fall.

3.Ship Rock Light

LAT/LONG # 37 40.30 122 22.82

The north, lees side of Catalina's Isthmus is not only a popular anchorage for boaters, but also offers some of the island's best fishing. Ship Rock is farthest offshore, in the Isthmus' center. Rising 75 feet above sea level, it is on the edge of the 100 fathom curve. Schools of pelagic fish are sometimes found here, as are white seabass. Bird Rick is large, low flat rock, covered with white guano, located on the east side of the Isthmus. It has large kelp bass, barracuda and yellowtail. There is a very productive area located in the middle of the Isthmus, which rises to within 6.5 fathoms of the surface out of the surrounding waters as deep as 30 fathoms. A favorite area for white seabass during spring and summer, it is also good for bluefin tuna when they migrate to local waters.

When the wind is against the current, it can make for a bad fishing trip. Anglers should always
check the compass heading of boats already at anchor in order to anchor correctly for prevailing conditions.

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Last update 3.10.10