I'm a beginner fisher, and I live in the outer sunset. I'm thinking if theres any fishing spots, free or not free, just any lakes, or ponds, thats in San Francisco or Daly City? Thanks!

Lake Merrit?  There is the ocean.  Surf perch nirvana down at ocean beach. 

Fresh water for bass, Lake Merced is where you might give it a try. Hi’s Tackle would be a good resource. And welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums 

Crap. Lake Merced.  That’s the one.  Merrit is in Oakland. 

Lexington and Loch Loman near Los Gatos.

Tom

17 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Crap. Lake Merced.  That’s the one.  Merrit is in Oakland. 

True dat @Darth-Baiter and Lake Merritt is pretty much salt water as it is connected to the estuary. Back in the day stripers would be waiting for the smelt/bait on the outgoing tide over by Laney College. Wouldn’t think of trying to fish there now for a multitude of reasons...

2 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

True dat @Darth-Baiter and Lake Merritt is pretty much salt water as it is connected to the estuary. Back in the day stripers would be waiting for the smelt/bait on the outgoing tide over by Laney College. Wouldn’t think of trying to fish there now for a multitude of reasons...

Worked in downtown Oakland for several years before retiring. Used to walk around Lake Merritt. Can’t remember seeing a fish, dead or alive. Do remember people fishing it many years ago for stripers.

On 3/30/2021 at 8:16 PM, J._Bricker said:

Fresh water for bass, Lake Merced is where you might give it a try. Hi’s Tackle would be a good resource. And welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums 

Well yes I went to lake merced a few times. I personally fish to not have to pay for seafood anymore. But recently like last week, I went there and I saw a sign saying there was this harmful algae in the water. So by any chance theres other lakes, ponds, rivers i can go to, that would be great

14 hours ago, TheEnderBoi said:

Well yes I went to lake merced a few times. I personally fish to not have to pay for seafood anymore. But recently like last week, I went there and I saw a sign saying there was this harmful algae in the water. So by any chance theres other lakes, ponds, rivers i can go to, that would be great

Ah, regarding the algae warning I’d just keep your dog away from the water. The Delta has had the black blue green algae for years thanks to the way the powers that be manage it. Not to mention the amount of “safe” herbicides including Roundup that is sprayed and dumped is head scratching.

 

As for subsistence fishing, just spitballing here, maybe check out the Pacifica pier or the Princeton harbor/rock jetty. 
 

 

hop on the bike. ride to bart or take the bus. take bart to coliseum.  Take bus to Lake Chabot. Rent boat and catch big largies. Or take Bus to San Pablo Reservoir and rent kayak and catch spotted bass. 

oh almost forgot. you can take golden gate transit. from civic center to fairfax and bike to the marin lakes as well. 

Surf/pier fishing is the way to go on that peninsula, freshwater options are pretty much non-existent.   You don't need a surf pole either, use your longest spinning rod and rinse your rod/reel down well after each outing.

You’re better off surf/pier fishing if you want seafood. Or you can be like me and travel 45-50 miles to San Jose and bass fish.

On 3/29/2021 at 9:23 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

Lake Merrit?  There is the ocean.  Surf perch nirvana down at ocean beach. 

uh thats in oakland and certainly has no bass in it. it would be a miracle if someone caught a bass out of lake merrit. 

east bay has a lot of options but you gonna have to drive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17 minutes ago, zeth said:

uh thats in oakland and certainly has no bass in it. it would be a miracle if someone caught a bass out of lake merrit. 

east bay has a lot of options but you gonna have to drive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See my post above where I realized my error.