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Lake Merced

Lake fishing  California · 06:13 - 20:19

Lake Merced is a lake in California. Anglers here fish mainly for Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass and White Bass.

Good 65% The bite right now
Top bet: Bluegill Active through the day, water near its preferred 23 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
74%
63°
Mon
74%
65°
Tue
75%
63°
Wed
75%
63°
Thu
76%
62°
Best day
Fri
76%
60°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Clear sky
Water temp (est.)
74°F
Air temp
57°F
Wind
12 mph
Pressure
29.99 inHg → stable
Clouds
2.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:28–07:28 Day 07:28–19:04 Dusk 19:04–21:04

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning gibbous 91% lit
Major period 02:24–04:24 Major period 14:24–16:24 Minor period 20:53–22:23 Minor period 08:25–09:55

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

08:00
57°
09:00
59°
10:00
60°
11:00
61°
12:00
62°
13:00
63°
14:00
63°
15:00
63°
16:00
64°
17:00
64°
18:00
64°
19:00
64°

Likely catch now (12 species)

Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
65%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 23 degrees.
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Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
37%
Water near its preferred 23 degrees, bright sky slows things.
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White Bass
Morone chrysops
34%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 23 degrees, off season, bright sky slows things.
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Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
34%
Water near its preferred 23 degrees, bright sky slows things.
Tap for details
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
29%
Slow during the day, water near its preferred 23 degrees, peak season.
Tap for details
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
27%
Slow during the day, water near its preferred 23 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.
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About the fishing here

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, Flathead Catfish and Blue Catfish.

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a float bait for bluegill, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for bluegill at the day. Fish hard now.
Lure Float bait for bluegill: Worm under a float.
Colour Clear water and good light: try natural bait, small earth tones for bluegill.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

About this water

Lake Merced is a freshwater lake located on the West Side of San Francisco, in the southwest corner of the city. It is surrounded by three golf courses, as well as residential areas, Lowell High School, San Francisco State University, Lakeshore Alternative Elementary School, Stonestown Galleria, Fort Funston and the Pacific Ocean. The San Francisco Police Department shooting range, as well as a now closed skeet shooting club and the city's National Guard armory are also in the area. The lake was also the home of the Lake Merced Sailing Club, now closed, which provided training and racing for local sailors. Currently there is a paddling program operated by San Francisco State University. The lake is home of the Pacific Rowing Club and St. Ignatius College Prep Rowing Team, both competitive rowing programs for San Francisco high school students.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Lake Merced?

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish and Common Carp.

Do you need a fishing license at Lake Merced?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Lake Merced?

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Lake Merced right now?

Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 50%.