What are the best fishing lakes in California? Well, let’s just take a look…
My extremely unscientific formula to come up with these rankings took species diversity, average fish size, aesthetic value, length of season, proximity to other attractions and available facilities into account.
I also employed the very technical and complex system of Rock, Paper, Scissors when there was a tie. So, without further adieu, here’s my list of Northern California’s 5 Best Fishing Lakes (feel free to chime in, complain or add your favorite in the comments section below).
1) Lake Shasta
This one was a no-brainer. The lake received high marks for diversity — king salmon, rainbow & brown trout, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, sturgeon, bluegill, readear sunfish, green sunfish…well, you get the idea. Not only does Shasta host many varieties of fish, but often produces excellent action. Browns can get huge in here, the rainbows are often fat and the kings can reach impressive sizes. Lunker largemouths have been taken out of Shasta, though smaller spotts seem to be the most dominant bass species now.
Due to its relatively low elevation, Shasta fishes well year-round. Like most lakes in California, summer time scenery isn’t the greatest, but it’s beautiful fall through spring — especially when you get views of a snow-capped Mt. Shasta. Plenty of ramps and marinas make Shasta an easily accessed lake as well. And if the fishing peters out, you can always hit the Sacramento, McCloud, Pitt, Fall and Rising rivers for trout, Whiskeytown Lake for a bunch of different species or head east towards Burney for lots of other fishing opportunities.
For more info: Shasta Tackle Co.
2) Lake Tahoe
What can I say? The surrounding scenery here is unmatched (duh!). Snowy peaks on all sides and that oh-so-blue water. Certainly, a trip on Lake Tahoe is well worth the price of admission without ever wetting a line — but it does kick out some amazingly good fishing, too.
The mackinaw bite all year long here and can reach some impressive sizes — the lake record is 37 pounds! Big rainbows and brown trout to over 10 pounds are also an option for topline trollers who work the rocky shorelines in the spring and fall. And then there’s the kokanee fishing which can be off the charts some seasons. In recent years, however, the koke fishery seems to be in a bit of a down cycle but you can still get fish spring through fall. And oh yea, there’s always something to do in the area if you get off the water early — skiing, gambling, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, etc. Tahoe’s a truly wonderful destination and fishery, though boat launching is expensive!
For more info: The Sportfisher
3) Diamond Valley Reservoir
From the get-go, this new reservoir near Hemet has been managed to be a truly great fishery. DFG biologists have been working on the lake — even before it was filled — to make sure the trout, bass, catfish and panfish planted here had the best possible living conditions.
Apparently it’s working as largemouth to nearly 17 pounds have already been taken here and the trout population is doing extremely well.
For more info: Diamond Valley Marina
4) Lake Almanor
Another beautiful lake with lots of cool fishing diversity! Into landlocked kings? Almanor is your place. How about chunky rainbows and braggin’ sized brown trout? Lake Almanor’s got plenty of those, too. As a sweet little bonus cherry on top, the lake also plays host to a very nice population of smallmouth bass.
Generally speaking, the trout fishing is best in the spring, winter and fall, though the action also heats up in early summer when the Hex hatch comes off. Speaking of that, fly anglers have been finding that the dry fly smallie fishing is also very good at that time. The scenery here is also a big plus and there are lots of amenities in nearby Chester — not to mention plenty of cool things to do in the surrounding area. A great spot for a family vacation!
For more info: Big Daddy’s Guide Service
5) Clear Lake
I know, I know, this lake can be as ugly as sin in the summer and the heat can be miserable. Some of the towns around Clear Lake aren’t exactly what you’d call 4-star resorts (to say the least!), but it’s a different world here in the spring when the hills are green and the fish are biting. Clear Lake has been on an absolute tear the past couple years and tournament guys were getting 40-pound sacks last spring. Amazing!
The lake’s world class crappie fishery has been going great guns the past several years as well and there are some absolutely huge catfish out there to boot. You can catch fish here all year long, though the spring and fall are the peak seasons. If you get tired of hauling in huge bass day in and day out, try your hand at trout fishing at nearby Blue Lakes.
For more info: Clear Lake Guide Service
Honorable Mention:
Lake Berryessa, Trinity Lake, San Pablo Reservoir
Related articles:
Top 5 California Kokanee Lakes
Jeff, Planning a fishing trip up north come mid June. What lake/stream locations would you suggest over a 4 day period? Thanks in advance.
John, what type of fishing are you looking to do?
I Wanna go fishing……..someone invite me please……lol
I cannot see having a lake on the list where none of the fish caught are safe for children to eat. Something wrong with spending thousands of dollars to catch fish and toss them either back into the lake or into the garbage.
First off, if you are only concerned with eating fish and saving money, go to Costco…you are guaranteed to catch fish there and you don’t have to waste cash on all that worthless fishing gear. Though, with all the farm raised stuff. I can’t vouch for the nutritional value.
The criteria used for the lakes in the post had nothing to do with eating fish (see paragraph above). I do understand that mercury is a concern in many waters but if you would like to offer some other “safer” suggestions, we are happy to hear them…
Costco would be great if you could determine what type of fist they really are and where they came from. Have you seen how they raise fish overseas it is astoushing about the impurities they feed them. I will still catch my one at least I know aht toxic wast I am eating.
Wow i am 44 year california native and all the lakes mentioned are great and i have been blessed enough to fish from san diego to cresent city and i now live in redding nor cal i hooked and lost the bigest bass of my life and lost em probably pushing 20 pounds i have fished the spring spawn every spring and my god its just an amazing fisherie 100 fish days with multiple 8 pound plus bass a day i cant say enough nor cal kicks butt and i when the salmon and my god monster steelhead start running well hold on to your pole …….its realy gods country up here …………till next time oh and i got 4 brookies this year in hatt creek 3 ….5lb ers and one scaled at a wopping 6lb 7onces oh ya baby nor call is always worth the drive well its 30 min drive to lake shasa now i live here yahoo fish on…………………….
Nice!!
Hi there
I’m from Europe but I will be living in Irvine, California, for three months from May 2013 onwards. I am a keen angler but I have absolutely no idea on the fishing possibilities in Southern-California. Is there any one who would be willing to give me some general information – for both freshwater and saltwater fishing?
Best regards
Tom
Lived in So-Cal for years. There’s so many great places to try. I’d start with Irvine Lake, but Lake Sherwood in Ventura is amazing year round, especially for Bass. Castaic lake is great too – having 6 of the top 20 largest bass ever – and holds the 3rd largest bass ever caught on record.
I was wondering what kind of fish is there in europe, and are there alot of places to go fisging.
san luis dam in the fall,ive caught stripers up to 40 bls,top water bite is amazing!
Do you guys prefer salt water or fresh water fishing. Trying to see peoples fishing preference.
i still prefer the California delta.
Has anyone compiled a list of the best fishing lakes in Southern California? If so, I’d love to hear about it.
Clear lake is a great fishery , last spring i fished there for a half an hour from shore and caught a 4 and a half pound largemouth. Yes i believe there is a Mercury warning on fish consumption and i dont think people eat the bass at all from there…..and that is probably a huge reason the fish are so big. People are not eating them and the fish are old. and there is plenty for them to eat in the lake. Shasta is a great fishery too. Just be prepared to share it with 3000 people in the summer on any given day.!
Yep, I agree. Ruth doesn’t belong anywhere near that list. Don’t fish it, just a waste of time…
I heard That Ruth lake is a great place to fish…..Its just a long way out of the way from civilization! LOL
Shasta is absolutely amazing a 10 -12 lb king or brown are nut unusual I love trolling a rapala 2″-4″ these fish are big and strong!
in the fall through the spring i like lake tulloch big trout on flashers & worm also needle fish off the points. tight lines
small boats beware of wind in tahoe & almanor the waves can be worse than the sf bay!
Tahoe and Almanor are great. To me Loon Lake in the Crystal Basin is a great place to go.
Last i heard clearlake was high on mercury and always suggested not to eat the fish.
also a small town that has very little to offer for future.
I lived at ClearLake in ClearLake Highlands when I was growing up. We could go out and catch a limit of bass every day on the surface..yes surface. We used a fly pole and floating fly line and a popper called a Loyd’s Lucky lure..you could get it directly from Loyd or at Bob’s bait shop…I had a 2 1/2 pound bluegill that was mounted and in Bob’s window. I seen a 40 pound catfish caught and on the shore. Now remember this was over 40 years ago.
It’s hard to find a good fishing hole. I’m going to try my luck at Diamond Valley. I’ve heard a lot of good things about that lake, let’s give it the test. I will be reporting back!
I’ve been fishing the Almanor on 4th July for 4 years now and it never disappointed me. Plenty of Rainbows, Browns, bass, and Salmons. Almanor is definetly my #1 pick.
Diamond Valley Lake is new to me but the closest one out those 5. Any tips how to fish it?
i fished it for a little while before i got orders to virginia, for trout (which are often slabs) ive found that fishing the coves and inlets with rooster tails, spoons, and powerbait are effective, even through the summer months.
Sounds like I need to take a road trip and visit all five! I’ll have to agree with the Tahoe scenery – although who would disagree?! I worked out of Gardenerville, Nevada for a few months a couple years ago and loved visiting Tahoe just to be there – and with great fishing to boot – it’s a tough one to beat!