The pier sits in the Point Arena cove. Point Arena itself juts out to the west (and is in fact the closest point in the continental United States to Hawaii). Offshore are some of the world’s deepest waters in the Mendocino Trench; and the underwater Arena Canyon and Navarro Canyon begin directly out from the Point. The cove itself is 20-100 feet deep, sits southeast of the point and is protected somewhat from northwest winds and storms. The entire cove has a rocky bottom with no sand or gravel, a small stream runs into the ocean to the left of the pier, and there are reefs to both the south and north of the pier. Fish found here are rocky-area species; they include kelp and rock greenling, cabezon and lingcod, striped, white and (a few) calico perch, walleye and silver surfperch, shinerperch, grass, black and blue rockfish, small bocaccio, Pacific tomcod, starry flounder and an occasional salmon. Unusual species include large buffalo sculpin and wolf eels.

Built of concrete and steel, with a surface 25 feet above the water, the pier replaced an older, wooden pier that was destroyed in the monstrous 1983 storms. It is a working pier and room on the pier is shared between recreational and commercial fishermen, as well as sportsmen who launch their boats from the large sling that sits on the right side of the pier. Initial fears that boats would be unable to be launched from the new sling were found to be unwarranted. Also wrong, were the concerns of some anglers who scoffed at the idea of bringing fish up from such a distance.

Fish:

Basic Directions

Customizable Directions