Biggest lakes in California: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Salton Sea

At 204,000 acres, Salton Sea is a huge piece of water. It lies about 16 miles northwest of Indio. At about 43 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring.

Salton Sea today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe covers 122,000 acres. Expect lake trout, trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass. At about 1645 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.

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

3. Goose Lake

Goose Lake covers 94,000 acres of water. It lies near Lakeview. It goes down to about 26 ft. Goose Lake straddles the California-Oregon border and has fully dried up multiple times in recorded history.

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

4. Honey Lake

At about 65,800 acres, Honey Lake is a huge piece of water. It lies near Janesville.

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

5. Mono Lake

Mono Lake spreads over 45,100 acres of water. It lies about 16 miles northwest of Bridgeport. At about 159 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Mono Lake is one of the oldest lakes in North America; its saline, alkaline water supports no fish, only brine shrimp and alkali flies that feed millions of migratory birds.

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

6. Clear Lake

At 43,500 acres, Clear Lake is a big lake. Expect largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. The deepest water is around 60 ft. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work.

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

7. Upper Alkali Lake

Upper Alkali Lake covers about 34,000 acres. It lies near Alturas. The usual California mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Upper Alkali Lake is a shallow, seasonal alkaline lake on the Modoc Plateau that floods in winter and often dries out by summer.

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

8. Shasta Lake

At 30,000 acres, Shasta Lake is a big lake. The fish here are trout, spotted bass, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass. The deepest water is around 517 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.

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

9. Lake Almanor

At 28,200 acres of water, Lake Almanor is a big lake. You will find it within an easy drive of Chico (about 48 miles). Canyon Dam holds it on the North Fork Feather River. The usual California mix applies: largemouth bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill. It goes down to about 90 ft. Lake Almanor is one of California's largest reservoirs, formed by Canyon Dam on the North Fork Feather River.

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

10. Clear Lake Reservoir

At 25,800 acres, Clear Lake Reservoir is a big lake. The lake is near Altamont. Like most lakes its size in California, it should hold largemouth bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Clear Lake Reservoir is a shallow, highly evaporative reservoir within Modoc National Forest and Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

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

Big water, big days

Large lakes make their own weather: a breeze that is nothing on a pond builds real waves over miles of open water. Check the wind on the lake page before you launch and keep to the lee shore when it picks up.