Fishing
Fishing
Tidepooling
The Morro Bay Region offers many miles of coastline where rocky structures extend out into the intertidal zone. Tide pools that form in these areas during low tide are full of colorful and interesting plant and animal life, including various kinds of algae and kelp, crabs, limpets, periwinkle and turban snails, anemones, mussels, barnacles, chitons, urchins, and sea stars. Skilled or lucky tidepoolers may also discover an octopus, eel, or goby fish.
Popular Tidepooling Spots
Listed from north to south
For the best tidepooling experience, it’s important to time your outing with a negative tide. During negative tides (expressed in negative numbers on tide charts, e.g., -1), the water level drops below the average low tide mark. This exposes areas and types of marine life that are normally submerged. Keep an eye on the incoming tide though, so you don’t become stranded on an outcrop.
There is no question tidepooling is detrimental to the environment. Even for the most conscientious observer, the simple act of walking on exposed rocks results in trampling mussels, anemones, and tube snails. Populations of these animals can recover from such losses – too a degree. Where human activity levels are high though, the diversity of plant and animal life declines noticeably. Longtime residents report this has indeed occurred at popular tidepooling spots. Here at The Birdhouse, we encourage guests to walk on bare rock wherever possible and try to follow the intent of the laws regulating tidepooling on State lands (State Parks, Beaches, and Natural Areas), which prohibit so much as touching marine organisms other than fish, “bait” animals, and algae (seaweed). The regulations are quite strict, but a local State Park Ranger has assured us that citations are only given when someone is clearly causing harm (e.g., maiming or killing) or damaging the tidepool environment (dislodging or breaking tidepool rocks).
Take and Foraging
If your intention is to take marine life home for personal consumption, you must follow the applicable regulations and limits. On most lands administered by the State, the only animals that can be taken are fish and animals that are considered to be “bait.” A valid fishing license is required. Kelp and algae (seaweed) can also be taken. On State Marine Reserves, take or harvest of any marine lifeform is strictly forbidden. You’ll find a map of State Marine Reserves on our Fishing page, but broadly speaking there are three: between San Carpoforo Creek and Arroyo Laguna Beach (north and south of Piedra Blanca Lighthouse), Morro Bay Estuary, and between Point Buchon and the Diablo Canyon Power Plant.