Whether you are a beginner or an expert, there are some great fishing lakes in California for you to enjoy. Whether you want to catch a trout or a bass, these lakes are sure to please you.
Salton Sea
Located in southern California, Salton Sea is a shallow, saline lake that occupies the Salton Basin. Its surface area is 343 square miles, and its volume is 7.5 million acre feet. Salton Sea is one of the best fishing lakes in California.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Salton Sea was the largest fishing and recreation destination in California. Its warm winter climate and nearby resorts made it a popular tourist destination. In the 1980s, Salton Sea experienced a series of fish die-offs and property values began to decline.
The history of Salton Sea is a confusing blend of errors and bureaucratic bottlenecks. It also involves ongoing debate about what to do next.
In the late 1800s, the Salton Basin was entirely dry. A canal was constructed to deliver Colorado River water to Imperial Valley. In 1905, the canal broke, and the Salton Sea was formed. The Salton Sea is now about 43 feet deep.
Agricultural runoff has led to high algae blooms. These blooms have been the cause of fish die-offs. This is because dying algae drives fish away. The algae blooms also rob oxygen from the water. The Salton Sea has been rated as a Class II waterway.
The Salton Trough, which is a fault that runs parallel to the San Andreas Fault, has created numerous mud pots. These pots have caused massive algae blooms in the lake.
Salton Sea is known for its stench. The water is so salty that only a few fish species can survive.
Crowley Lake
Located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, Crowley Lake is one of the largest man made reservoirs in the LADWP system. It is 12 miles long and 5 miles wide at its widest point.
Crowley Lake holds several species of trout, including browns, rainbows, Lahontan cutthroat, and Sacramento perch. The water in Crowley is deep enough to hold these fish and provide them with an ideal growing environment.
The fish are relatively easy to catch with conventional gear. Aside from the standard California trout season, Crowley has a special two-fish bag limit. Those fish must be over 18 inches in length.
In addition to its fishing, Crowley Lake is also known for its scenic beauty. It has incredible views of the Eastern Sierra. The lake is also home to a Christian-based church called Church on the Mountain.
There are several campgrounds around the lake. Some offer full hookups and clean restrooms. In addition, Crowley Lake has a RV park, which is open all year long. It offers clean restrooms, coin laundry, and full hookups.
Fly fishing is also popular here. The fish are known to be a bit larger than the average lake trout. Crowley Lake also has a fishery management plan. It follows general trout season rules for half the season, then switches to a catch-and-release policy for the remainder.
Crowley Lake also has an impressive chironomid population. The chironomid is the food chain of the flies that are important to trout.
Del Valle Reservoir
Located 10 miles south of Livermore, California, Del Valle Reservoir is a small fish-filled lake in the East Bay area. This lake has self-sustaining fish populations of striped bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. It is also home to bald eagles, mountain lions, and deer. The lake was created in 1968 when Del Valle Dam was built.
Lake Del Valle is a part of the Del Valle Regional Park District. It has a four-lane boat launch, a visitors center, a store, docks, piers, and equestrian trails. The park is 4,395 acres in size.
Del Valle offers year-round fishing. The lake is located in undeveloped hills of southeastern Alameda County. There is a large campground at the southern end of the lake. The campground has 150 sites, sewage hookups, and centrally located restrooms.
Del Valle is home to a wide variety of fish species, including black crappie, rainbow trout, channel catfish, and striped bass. The striped bass population is cyclical. The lake also supports two species of salmon.
The striped bass population is mainly made up of a small population of young-of-the-year stripers. They spawn in the Arroyo Del Valle tributary. The stripers feed on shad and anchovies. A great place to catch stripers is at the dam.
The smallmouth bass population has been growing at Del Valle. In fact, they’re becoming one of the more popular fish species in the area. These fish are in the 1 to 2 pound range. They’re often caught on a drop shot or a live bait.
Mammoth Lakes
Known as the world’s premier trout fishing destination, Mammoth Lakes offers a variety of fishing options to suit every angler’s needs. From fishing in lakes and streams, to fly fishing, Mammoth Lakes offers countless opportunities to catch Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Alpers.
While Mammoth Lakes may be best known for its skiing and snowboarding, it is also a fishing destination. With a variety of lakes, streams, and rivers, it is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful day on the water.
Mammoth Lakes is located in the Eastern Sierra Mountains. It is an area that boasts a variety of lakes and streams, as well as plenty of wildlife. The area is also known for its snowmobiling, skiing, and hiking. Several fishing marinas are located in the area, as well as tackle stores.
The fishing season generally runs from late April to mid-November. Fishing regulations vary from water to water, so it is best to check with local resources before heading out. Fishing permits can be purchased at any fishing store or online.
The Upper Owens River is home to resident wild trout, as well as migrating steelhead. The river has plenty of room for fly fishing and is an excellent place for beginning fly casters to practice.
The San Joaquin Creek is a freestone stream that is home to fish of all kinds. The creek offers excellent fishing, and the scenery is stunning.
Perris Reservoir
Located in Southern California’s Bernasconi Hills, Lake Perris is a reservoir that’s ideal for fishing. It’s surrounded by small mountains and is stocked with a variety of species. In addition to being one of the best fishing lakes in California, Lake Perris is also a great place to go for camping.
The lake has a large population of bluegill and rainbow trout. They’re very active during the summer months. In addition, you’ll find a variety of species of fish in the lake, including largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, white catfish, and carp.
Lake Perris is known for producing large redear sunfish. These fish are also known as shellcrackers and are a great target for fishermen. The lake also has a fish ladder that allows salmon to swim upstream.
Lake Perris is located about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles and 70 miles east of San Diego. It’s surrounded by mountains, including the Sierra Nevada. It also has a rocky shoreline. The lake is two miles wide and surrounded by a two-mile earthfill dam. It’s open year-round.
Lake Perris is home to a variety of fish, including rainbow trout and largemouth bass. It is stocked with Alabama spotted bass. There are also black crappie and white catfish. It has a 12-inch minimum size limit for bass.
The lake’s rocky shoreline makes it a great place to fish for rainbow trout. The lake also attracts a variety of birds, including kingfishers and herons.
Lake Shasta
Located near Redding, CA in Shasta County, Shasta Lake is one of the best fishing lakes in California. This man-made lake is home to a diverse selection of fish. The lake is home to a variety of fish including largemouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, white sturgeon, golden shiner, bluegill, threadfin shad, and black crappie.
The Lake Shasta Reservoir is one of the largest man-made lakes in California. It’s located 170 miles north of Sacramento. The lake has more than 500 feet of water and offers year-round fishing opportunities.
There are several public launch ramps around the lake. Some may be closed due to unsafe weather conditions or lake drawdowns.
Many local marinas and resorts offer boat rentals. Shasta Lake is a year-round fishery and is home to several different species. The most common fish are rainbow trout and brown trout. Fishing is usually most successful when guided trips are used.
The most common species of bass in Shasta Lake are spotted bass. These bass prefer to spawn on rocky points or shallow creek inlets. These fish are usually 1- to 2-pounds in size.
Smallmouth bass are a secondary species of bass in Shasta Lake. These fish prefer to spawn on shallow water or submerged trees and road beds. The best baits for catching smallmouths are jigs and soft plastics. They are also fed by crawfish and shad.
King salmon are also present on Shasta Lake. These fish live in the deep water of the lake. These fish can hold in 20 to 40 feet of water.
