Best fishing lakes in California: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe covers 122,000 acres. Lake trout, trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass are the draw. The deepest water is around 1645 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

Lake Tahoe today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Shasta Lake

At some 30,000 acres, Shasta Lake is a big lake. It holds trout, spotted bass, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass. At about 517 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

Shasta Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Berryessa

At some 20,700 acres, Lake Berryessa is a big lake. The fish here are largemouth bass, trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass. The deepest water is around 275 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.

Lake Berryessa today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Clear Lake

At 43,500 acres of water, Clear Lake is a big lake. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill are the draw. At about 60 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

Clear Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. New Melones Lake

New Melones Lake spreads over some 12,500 acres. Expect kokanee salmon, trout, largemouth bass and catfish. The deepest water is around 568 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look.

New Melones Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Folsom Lake

At 11,400 acres of water, Folsom Lake is a big lake. The fish here are spotted bass, largemouth bass, trout and kokanee salmon. The deepest water is around 276 ft.

Folsom Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Oroville

At 15,800 acres, Lake Oroville is a big lake. Spotted bass, trout and catfish are the draw. At about 690 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

Lake Oroville today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Pine Flat Lake

Pine Flat Lake spreads over 5,970 acres. You will find it about 7.4 miles south of Yokuts Valley. It is the Kings River behind Pine Flat Dam. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass and trout. At about 429 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Pine Flat Lake is one of the deepest reservoirs in California, formed by Pine Flat Dam on the Kings River.

Pine Flat Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Trinity Lake

Trinity Lake spreads over some 17,300 acres. It lies about 6.8 miles southwest of Lewiston. It is the Trinity River behind Trinity Dam. It holds kokanee salmon, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and trout. At about 416 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Trinity Lake was originally named Clair Engle Lake after a U.S. senator before being renamed in 1995.

Trinity Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Millerton Lake

At 4,900 acres, Millerton Lake is a good-sized lake. You will find it about 5.4 miles east of Auberry. The fish here are spotted bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and striped bass. At about 319 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Millerton Lake is well known among anglers for trophy striped bass.

Millerton Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Whiskeytown Lake

At 3,460 acres, Whiskeytown Lake is a good-sized lake. You will find it near Shasta. Trout, kokanee salmon, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are the draw. At about 264 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Whiskeytown Lake is known for its clear water, with underwater visibility commonly around 30 feet. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help.

Whiskeytown Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Isabella Lake

Isabella Lake spreads over some 11,200 acres. You will find it within an easy drive of Bakersfield (about 35 miles). The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass and trout. The deepest water is around 185 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look. Lake Isabella is one of California's top bass fisheries, located in the southern Sierra Nevada foothills.

Isabella Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

California lakes by fish

A lake appears under a fish when it holds it, by the record or by the type of lake.

• Bass: Lake Tahoe, Shasta Lake, Lake Berryessa and Clear Lake
• Walleye: Clear Lake Reservoir, Don Pedro Reservoir, Lake Almanor and Lake McClure
• Trout: Lake Tahoe, Shasta Lake, Lake Berryessa and New Melones Lake
• Crappie: Clear Lake, Pine Flat Lake, Millerton Lake and Whiskeytown Lake
• Catfish: Clear Lake, New Melones Lake, Lake Oroville and Pine Flat Lake

Season by season

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually at their best. Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

Before you go

Buy a California fishing licence before the trip and read the state's rules for each lake: seasons, size and bag limits change from water to water. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.