California Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in California.
Lake Almanor
Lake Berryessa
Clear Lake
Lake Oroville
Shasta Lake
Lake Tahoe
More California lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Lake AlmanorPlumas County · 28,000 acres
Lake Almanor
A large PG&E reservoir on the North Fork Feather River near Chester, at about 4,500 feet below Lassen Peak. It is best known for big rainbow and brown trout, holdover salmon and a good smallmouth bass fishery.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Rainbow Trout
Troll crawlers or dodger-and-lure combos in the top 15 to 35 ft. Hamilton Branch and the Peninsula are popular spots.
Brown Trout
Shoreline trolling from Rec 1 toward the A-frame and around the moorings. Smelt-style minnow baits work early.
Smallmouth Bass
Rocky banks on the east shore. Fish shorelines with small swimbaits and plastics in late spring.
Chinook Salmon
Troll near Canyon Dam and the Hamilton Branch powerhouse in spring and fall.
Boat launches
5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Canyon Dam Boat RampPublicPublic ramp off Hwy 89 at Canyon Dam. Boarding float, restrooms, about 40 trailer spacesDirections ↗
- Almanor Boat LaunchFreeLassen National Forest ramp on the west shore by Almanor Campground. No chargeDirections ↗
- Plumas Pines ResortMarinaWest-shore resort at Canyon Dam with launch and tackleDirections ↗
- Lake Cove Resort & MarinaMarinaEast-shore resort on Hwy 147 with launch, rentals and tackleDirections ↗
- Wilson's Camp PrattvilleFeeWest-shore camp with launch, store and fish cleaning. Launch is for guestsDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Almanor are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: California Department of Fish and Wildlife ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Ayoob's Intermountain HardwareNearby201 Main Street, Chester(530) 258-2611Directions ↗
- Plumas Pines ResortNearby3000 Almanor Dr West, Canyon Dam(530) 259-4343Directions ↗
Local tips
- Ramp docks can sit high and dry when the lake is drawn down, so check ramp status before you go.
- Cold spring water and summer insect hatches move trout shallow; watch for swallows working the surface.
- The state has a mercury-based safe-eating advisory for fish from Lake Almanor; check it before keeping fish.
Lake BerryessaNapa County · 20,700 acres
Lake Berryessa
A deep Bureau of Reclamation reservoir on Putah Creek in eastern Napa County, 23 miles long behind Monticello Dam. It holds both cold-water trout and salmon and warm-water bass, catfish and crappie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Spotted Bass
Rocky points and banks. Swimbaits and finesse plastics in 15 ft or less in spring.
Largemouth Bass
Coves and brushy flats. Swimbaits and stick baits in natural colors.
Rainbow Trout
Shallow in winter and spring; troll deeper as summer water warms toward 75 degrees.
Kokanee
Troll small dodgers and hoochies in open water in late spring and summer.
Channel Catfish
Shallow coves on warm evenings with cut bait or chicken liver.
Crappie
Submerged brush and docks. Minnows or small jigs.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Markley Cove ResortMarinaConcession on Hwy 128 near the dam with launch ramp and gas dockDirections ↗
- Pleasure Cove MarinaMarinaConcession marina with camping and launchingDirections ↗
- Steele Canyon Recreation AreaFeeConcession area with camping and boat launchingDirections ↗
- Spanish Flat Recreation AreaFeeConcession area with camping and boat launchingDirections ↗
- Putah Canyon Recreation AreaFeeConcession area with camping and boat launchingDirections ↗
- Capell CovePublicReclamation launch. Temporarily closed to launching except by special event permitDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Berryessa are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: California Department of Fish and Wildlife ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Lake Berryessa ↗Local tips
- All boats must go through Reclamation's golden mussel seal program; plan for inspection and a 30-day quarantine unless you get approved hot-water decontamination.
- Summer surface water can reach about 75 degrees, so trout and kokanee go deep; fish early or troll with downriggers.
- Stay clear of the Monticello Dam spillway area near the dam.
Lake OrovilleButte County · 15,500 acres
Lake Oroville
A large, deep reservoir on the Feather River in the Sierra Nevada foothills above the town of Oroville. It is best known for numbers of spotted bass, plus stocked Chinook salmon and a solid catfish bite.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Spotted Bass
The most commonly caught fish here. Work rocky points and steep banks with drop shots, jigs and swimbaits.
Largemouth Bass
Fewer than spots but bigger on average. Look in coves and around flooded cover in spring.
Chinook Salmon
Stocked each year. Troll deep near the dam and in the main channel once the lake stratifies.
Channel Catfish
Fish can top 10 pounds. Fish cut bait on flats and in the upper arms in summer evenings.
Crappie
Spotty but present. Try brush and docks in the coves with small jigs and minnows in spring.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Bidwell Canyon (Bidwell Complex)MarinaMulti-lane ramp with lanes down to low water. Full-service marina with rentals, fuel and storeDirections ↗
- Lime SaddleMarinaState Parks launch ramp and concession marina with bait and tackle, rentals and fuelDirections ↗
- Loafer CreekFeeState Parks ramp, 8 lanes at higher levels. Campground nearbyDirections ↗
- Spillway Boat RampFeeLarge multi-lane ramp near the dam. Lower ramp floods at high waterDirections ↗
- EnterpriseFeeTwo-lane ramp on the South Fork. Closed when the lake drops below 800 ftDirections ↗
- Foreman CreekCarry-inCar-top launch, two lanes maintained down to 730 ft. Closed at night when the lake is below 800 ftDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Oroville are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: California Department of Fish and Wildlife ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Lime Saddle Marina storeNearby3428 Pentz Road, ParadiseDirections ↗
Local tips
- Water levels swing a lot from year to year. Check the DWR ramp elevation list before you pick a launch.
- Day use and launch fees apply at State Parks ramps, and some ramps keep limited hours.
- Smaller car-top ramps close or become unusable as the lake drops, so have a backup plan.
Shasta LakeShasta County · 30,000 acres
Shasta Lake
Shasta Lake is California's largest reservoir, north of Redding where the Sacramento, McCloud, and Pit rivers meet. It is known for spotted bass and for trolling for rainbow and brown trout.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Spotted Bass
Plastic worms and swimbaits catch bass in spring and early summer.
Rainbow Trout
The Sacramento River arm is a good area for rainbows.
Brown Trout
Troll the McCloud arm from Turntable Bay to Hirz Bay for browns.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Centimudi Public Boat RampPublicForest Service ramp near Shasta Dam, four lanes and courtesy dockDirections ↗
- Bailey Cove Public Boat RampFeeForest Service ramp on the lower McCloud arm; feeDirections ↗
- Antlers Public Boat RampPublicForest Service ramp on the upper Sacramento arm by Antlers campgroundDirections ↗
- Jones Valley Public Boat RampPublicForest Service ramp on the Pit River armDirections ↗
- Packers Bay Public Boat RampPublicForest Service ramp off I-5 on the Sacramento armDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee California Fish & Wildlife or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Shasta Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: California Department of Fish and Wildlife ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Shasta Lake Bait & TackleNearby3915 Shasta Dam Blvd, Shasta Lake, CA(530) 356-5575Directions ↗
- Phil's PropellersNearby3037 Twin View Blvd, Shasta Lake, CA(530) 275-4939Directions ↗
Local tips
- Troll spoons and minnow lures 30 to 70 feet deep for trout in warm months.
- Only golden shiners, red shiners, fathead minnows, mosquitofish, and threadfin shad may be used as live bait.
- Mercury and PCB eating advisories apply, so check guidance before keeping fish.
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