Some of the fish found in this location are the perch, kingfish, sole, flounder, halibut, bocaccio (tomcod), jacksmelt, lingcod, cabezon, salmon, steelhead, and occasional rockfish.

"[2] The state of California obtained a 155-acre parcel from Mary Zmudowski in 1950, which included 9,124 feet of land beside the ocean.

Upwelling has fluctuated significantly in the past two decades, effecting the fishing and wildlife at Zmudowski State Beach.

Certain nutrients from the water rise to the surface, and stimulate high plankton productivity of the Monterey Bay region.

The high nutrient content, salinity and density make this area attractive to anglers, year-round.

Rules governing proper techniques when building near the beach have been put in place in order to minimize damage from coastal erosion.

[8] Zmudowski State Beach also features the Pajaro River estuary, where a nature preserve exists.

An estuary is quite simply a body of water formed where freshwater from rivers and streams flows into the ocean, mixing with the seawater.

When the Americans arrived, they cut down many trees to clear the land, and sediment continued to transform the wetland.

In 2012, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill that allowed $10 million to be used for the State Park system.