Grunion Run 2026 Schedule for California - Best Beaches List, Bag Limits and Tips for Finding Grunion Runs
The Grunion Run 2026 schedule for California has been released and this page, written by a professional fishing guide, contains the latest information on the best beaches, dates and times to help you find the nearest grunion runs this season.
California grunions (Leuresthes tenuis) are small silvery bait fish that breed by swimming up onto sandy beaches at certain moon and tide cycles up and down Southern California at night in warmer months, and going on a grunion run is a great way of seeing this unique species. The fishing can be great, too!
To find them, you need to know when they run and how to find them, which is where this detailed guide comes in. We'll explore locations, tips, dates and times to give you maximum chances of success next time you head out for a grunion hunt.
Grunion Run 2026 Schedule Page Guide
Information for going on a Grunion Run in California 2026
Grunion runs occur between March and August up and down Southern California when a combination of moon, tide and water temperature trigger the California grunion to swim right up to the beach to breed on the sand over a series of late-night high tides lasting three to four evenings. A run occurs approximately every two weeks.
What beaches have had Grunion Runs recently in Southern California?
Knowing the best beaches to find grunion runs on in California is obviously key to predicting where the next event will occur. In the past this couple of years, confirmed Grunion Runs have occurred in Southern California on the following beaches (from north to south):
-
Surfer's Knoll (Ventura County)
-
Malibu Cove (LA County)
-
Will Rogers State Beach (LA County)
-
Santa Monica Beach and Pier area (LA County)
-
Redondo & Torrance Beach (LA County)
-
Cabrillo Beach (LA County)
-
Seal Beach (LA County)
-
Cherry Beach (Long Beach, LA County)
-
Huntington State Beach / Huntington Pier (Orange County)
-
Newport Beach / Balboa Peninsula (Orange County)
-
Capistrano State Beach / Doheney Beach (Orange County)
-
Carlsbad State Beach / Tamarack (Orange County)
-
Cardiff-by-the Sea Beach / San Elijo (San Diego)
-
Coronado Ferry Landing Beach (San Diego)
-
Campo Archelon (Baha, MX)
The first tip is to identify a nearby beach that's likely to see a grunion run, based on the above list. The locations been fairly consistent for the past few years, so previous runs are a good indicator for future activity.
Please note that it's your responsibility to work out legal and safe beach access at any of the places you might go to find a grunion run. Check local laws, regulations and beach curfews.
Next, let's look at how to find grunions once you've identified a suitable area that might see a run.
What are the Laws, Bag Limits and best Tips for finding Grunions on Grunion Runs in 2026?
-
Find an expansive sandy beach in or between Ventura County and San Diego County with access to open ocean. Avoid harbors, estuaries and lagoons with restricted access
-
Avoid using head torches or lamps - grunion spook easily. Stay quiet and unseen until the run is well underway. Watch out for the early "scouts"– allow the first few to run on-bothered and the shoal will be more likely to follow
-
The third and fourth night of the run are usually the most reliable times to spot grunion
-
You'll often hear or see birds circling or landing where the grunion are running, or just before
-
If you can't find them, keep lights off and walk the beach as the run will often be concentrated in one area towards one end
-
The months of April, May and June are officially no-take months
-
Anyone over the age of 16 will need a CDFW fishing license to catch grunion
-
The best (and only legal) way of catching grunion is with your bare hands
-
There is a bag limit of 30 fish per person in months when take is allowed (see below for a list of months when take is allowed)
-
Make sure you read the California Fish & Wildlife's list of regulations for grunion hunters
-
Listen to Episode 54 of the Western Outdoor News podcast on Grunions Runs and finding Grunions
Tips for Surf Fishing on Grunion Runs: Baits, Tides, Species and Guiding Services
-
Grunion runs often attract soupfin sharks, leopard sharks, bat rays, halibut, croaker, white seabass and surf perch
-
Grunion are often too small to use as bait (and often found running in no-take season) , so try half a fresh mackerel, bonito chunk, croaker head or baitfish-pattern lure like a jerkbait or swimbait instead
-
The days just just after or before the run with a big outgoing PM tide often produces the best fishing action
-
Read this in-depth article written by a professional guide: How To Catch Large Predatory Fish (Sharks, Rays etc) on a Grunion Run
For information on professional guiding services for grunion run fishing sessions in California, click here
The Grunion Run 2026 schedule for California is listed below with full dates and times for all grunion runs throughout the year – March, April, May, June, July and August
Grunion Runs in March 2026
Day | Date | Start Time | End Time | Take Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tue | 3/3/26 | 21:35 PM | 23:35 PM | Yes |
Wed | 3/4/26 | 22:00PM | 00:00 AM | Yes |
Thu | 3/5/26 | 22:25 PM | 00:25 AM | Yes |
Fri | 3/6/26 | 22:50 PM | 00:50 AM | Yes |
Wed | 3/18/26 | 22:00 PM | 00:00 AM | Yes |
Thu | 3/19/26 | 22:25 PM | 00:25 AM | Yes |
Fri | 3/20/26 | 22:55 PM | 00:55 AM | Yes |
Sat | 3/21/26 | 23:30 PM | 01:30 AM | Yes |
Grunion Runs in April 2026
Day | Date | Start Time | End Time | Take Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wed | 4/1/26 | 21:50 PM | 23:50 PM | No |
Thu | 4/2/26 | 22:10 PM | 00:10 AM | No |
Fri | 4/3/26 | 22:35 PM | 00:35 AM | No |
Sat | 4/4/26 | 22:55 PM | 00:55 AM | No |
Fri | 4/17/26 | 22:45 PM | 23:45 PM | No |
Sat | 4/18/26 | 22:20 PM | 00:20 AM | No |
Sun | 4/19/26 | 23:00 PM | 01:00 AM | No |
Mon | 4/20/26 | 23:50 PM | 01:50 AM | No |
Grunion Runs in May 2026
Day | Date | Start Time | End Time | Take Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mon | 5/1/26 | 21:30 PM | 23:30 PM | No |
Tue | 5/2/26 | 21:55 PM | 23:55 PM | No |
Wed | 5/3/26 | 22:20 PM | 00:20 AM | No |
Thu | 5/4/26 | 22:50 PM | 00:50 AM | No |
Mon | 5/16/26 | 21:20 PM | 23:20 PM | No |
Tue | 5/17/26 | 22:00 PM | 00:00 AM | No |
Wed | 5/18/26 | 22:50 PM | 00:50 AM | No |
Thu | 5/19/26 | 23:40 PM | 01:40 AM | No |
Sun | 5/31/26 | 21:30 PM | 23:30 PM | No |
Grunion Runs in June 2026
Day | Date | Start Time | End Time | Take Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mon | 6/1/26 | 22:05 PM | 00:05 AM | No |
Tue | 6/2/26 | 22:30 PM | 00:30 AM | No |
Wed | 6/3/26 | 23:15 PM | 01:15 AM | No |
Sun | 6/14/26 | 21:50 PM | 23:50 AM | No |
Mon | 6/15/26 | 22:40 PM | 00: 40 AM | No |
Tue | 6/16/26 | 22:40 PM | 00:40 AM | No |
Wed | 6/17/26 | 23:35 PM | 01:35 AM | No |
Mon | 6/29/26 | 21:20 PM | 23:20 PM | No |
Tue | 6/30/26 | 21:55 PM | 23:55 PM | No |
Grunion Runs in July 2026
Day | Date | Start Time | End Time | Take Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wed | 7/1/26 | 9:25 PM | 11:25 PM | Yes |
Thu | 7/2/26 | 10:05 PM | 12:05 AM | Yes |
Tue | 7/14/26 | 10:45 PM | 12:45 AM | Yes |
Wed | 7/15/26 | 11:25 PM | 1:25 AM | Yes |
Thu | 7/16/26 | 9:35 PM | 11:35 PM | Yes |
Fri | 7/17/26 | 10:15 PM | 12:15 AM | Yes |
Wed | 7/29/26 | 21:45 PM | 23:45 AM | Yes |
Thu | 7/30/26 | 22:15 PM | 00:15 AM | Yes |
Fri | 7/31/26 | 22:50 PM | 00:50 AM | Yes |
Grunion Runs in August 2026
Day | Date | Start Time | End Time | Take Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sat | 8/1/26 | 23:25 PM | 01:25 PM | Yes |
Wed | 8/12/26 | 21:40 PM | 23:40 AM | Yes |
Thu | 8/13/26 | 22.20 PM | 00:20 AM | Yes |
Fri | 8/14/26 | 23:05 PM | 01:50 AM | Yes |
Sat | 8/15/26 | 23:50 PM | 01:50 AM | Yes |
Fri | 8/28/26 | 22:00 PM | 00:00 AM | Yes |
Sat | 8/29/26 | 22:35 PM | 00:35 AM | Yes |
Sun | 8/30/26 | 23:20 PM | 01:20 AM | Yes |
Thank you for reading this complete guide to Grunion Runs and grunion hunting in Southern California.
Interested in learning how to go surf fishing with a professional guide in Southern California?
For info on comprehensive multi-session surf fishing courses, click here:
🔗 Course One – 2 sessions: Surf Perch and Corbina + Halibut and Bass
🔗 Course Two – 3 sessions: Surf Perch and Corbina + Croaker + Halibut & Bass
🔗 Course Three – 5 sessions: Surf Perch + Corbina + Croaker + Halibut & Bass + Sharks
📧 Get in Touch for a Quote Today – Single Sessions also available
Please note that whilst we strive to ensure information on this page is accurate and up-to-date, we take no responsibility for incorrect data or information. It's your responsibility to check local laws and regulations before going on a grunion run or fishing at these times. Please stay safe and legal!
