🌄 21 Incredible Fishing Lakes in California Every Angler Dreams Of 🎣
California isn’t just about Hollywood and vineyards—it’s a vast angler’s dreamscape, boasting everything from high-alpine lakes brimming with trout to sprawling reservoirs holding monster bass, and legendary rivers teeming with salmon and steelhead. With its incredible topographic diversity, the Golden State offers a fishing adventure for every season and every type of angler.
The debates among California anglers are as legendary as the state itself. Ask a Northern California fly-fisher about their favorite trout stream, and you’ll get a passionate lecture that sounds like they’re discussing a prized vintage wine. Southern California bass fanatics will fiercely defend their urban reservoirs, while Sierra Nevada enthusiasts will tell you the real magic lies above 6,000 feet. Each corner of this state holds secret spots and fiercely guarded techniques, making a definitive “best of” list a truly challenging (and often controversial) task.
But here’s the thing that might surprise you: our #1 pick isn’t the most obvious choice, and it’s definitely going to get some heads nodding (and shaking!) in the fishing community. Ready to see if your go-to spot made the cut? 🎣
21. Pine Flat Lake 🌲
Tucked in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Fresno, Pine Flat Lake is often overshadowed by bigger names, but smart anglers know it’s a consistent producer. This 6,000-acre reservoir is a multi-species powerhouse, offering excellent spotted bass, largemouth bass, and a surprisingly good crappie bite. Locals love it for its deep, clear water and stunning scenery, especially in the spring.
- Why it’s here: While it might not produce the biggest fish consistently, Pine Flat offers reliable action and diverse fishing opportunities, making it a solid choice for a day trip. Plus, the surrounding recreation area makes it great for families.
20. Lopez Lake 🏞️
Located on the Central Coast near Arroyo Grande, Lopez Lake is a popular destination known for its recreational activities, but it holds its own as a fishing spot too. Its warm waters support healthy populations of largemouth bass, sunfish, and catfish. The lake’s structure, including submerged timber and brush piles, provides ample cover for fish.
- Fun Fact: Lopez Lake offers a unique “waterfall” at its south end during peak flows, adding to the scenic appeal while you fish. It’s a fantastic option for a blend of fishing and family fun, with plenty of camping and water sports to keep everyone entertained.
19. New Melones Lake 🌟
Sitting in the heart of the Gold Country, New Melones is one of California’s largest reservoirs by capacity, offering over 12,500 acres of prime fishing. It’s a deep, clear-water lake known for its excellent kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and a growing population of spotted bass.
- Why it’s here: The sheer size of New Melones means endless exploration. While it can be challenging to learn, those who figure out its patterns are rewarded with quality catches. It’s also less crowded than some other major reservoirs, especially during weekdays, making it a peaceful escape.
18. Diamond Valley Lake 💎
A relatively new addition to California’s fishing scene, Diamond Valley Lake near Hemet quickly earned a reputation as a trophy bass factory. This massive reservoir boasts crystal-clear water and a management plan focused on growing big fish. It holds state records for stripers and has an impressive population of largemouth bass.
- Locals Swear By: The sheer size and depth of Diamond Valley make it a true challenge, but the reward is the potential for a personal best. Its clarity also makes it a favorite for sight fishing. Just be prepared for potential wind on its open waters.
17. Lake Almanor 🌲
Nestled in the beautiful Lassen National Forest in Northern California, Lake Almanor is a high-elevation gem known for its exceptional trout and salmon fishing. This 28,000-acre lake offers stunning scenery and cooler temperatures, making it a summer haven for anglers.
- Angler’s Tip: The lake’s diverse structure, including submerged timber and weed beds, provides excellent habitat. Whether you’re trolling for hefty rainbow trout or targeting smallmouth bass along the rocky shorelines, Almanor delivers a quintessential Northern California fishing experience.
16. Lake Berryessa 🍇
One of the largest lakes in Northern California, Lake Berryessa near Napa is a multi-species powerhouse known for its bass, trout, and landlocked salmon. Its clear, deep waters and numerous coves offer varied fishing opportunities throughout the year.
- Why it’s here: Berryessa consistently produces good numbers of fish and occasional trophies. It’s particularly popular for its spring bass bite and its reliable trout trolling in cooler months. Don’t tell the Sacramento crowd we ranked it this high – the rivalry is real!
15. Lake Oroville 🏞️
As California’s second-largest reservoir, Lake Oroville is a central hub for fishing in the northern part of the state. It’s best known for its incredible spotted bass fishery, but also offers good opportunities for largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, and Chinook salmon.
- Consistency is Key! Oroville’s deep, clear water and abundant forage base mean consistent action, especially for spotted bass, which are known for their aggressive fights. The lake’s fluctuating water levels can make it a puzzle, but also create new fishing opportunities throughout the seasons.
14. Lake Isabella ☀️
Located in the southern Sierra Nevada, Lake Isabella is a massive reservoir popular for its warm-water fishing. It’s a prime destination for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and even trout in the cooler months. The lake’s vast size and varied shoreline provide ample space for anglers.
- Explore Local Waters! Isabella is known for its consistent action and is a great lake for beginners or those looking for a high-numbers day. Its shallow coves and submerged structures make it ideal for various fishing techniques.
13. San Joaquin Delta 🌊
The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is a vast, intricate network of waterways offering some of the most diverse fishing in California. This labyrinth of sloughs, channels, and islands is famous for its world-class largemouth bass fishing, but also provides excellent opportunities for striped bass, sturgeon, and salmon.
- Ready for a Legend? The Delta is truly unique—a brackish water system that supports both freshwater and anadromous species. Its complexity means local knowledge is absolutely essential, but the rewards can be legendary, with trophy fish caught year-round. It’s a true wilderness experience right near major population centers.
12. Trinity Lake ⛰️
Situated in the Trinity Alps Wilderness, Trinity Lake is California’s third-largest reservoir and a remote, high-country gem. It’s celebrated for its robust populations of smallmouth bass, along with rainbow and brown trout. Its clear, cold waters and surrounding pristine wilderness make it a favorite for scenic fishing trips.
- Musky Madness! While not a musky lake, Trinity offers a “wilderness” feel that makes every catch feel like an adventure. The smallmouth bass here are aggressive and plentiful, and the scenery is simply unmatched.
11. Silverwood Lake 🏞️
Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, Silverwood Lake is a popular State Recreation Area known for its diverse fishing. This deep, cold-water reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout and also offers excellent opportunities for largemouth bass, striped bass, catfish, and crappie. Its accessibility from Southern California makes it a frequent destination.
- Walleye Wonderland! (Though not Walleye) Silverwood offers a diverse range of species that keeps things interesting. It’s particularly popular for shore fishing and has many coves and points that hold fish. It’s a great example of a productive urban-adjacent fishery.
10. Lake Shasta 🌄
The largest reservoir in California, Lake Shasta is a monstrous body of water spanning over 30,000 acres when full, with 365 miles of shoreline. It’s a multi-species mecca, famous for its incredible spotted bass, but also offering largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and Chinook salmon.
- Go Big or Go Home! Shasta’s sheer size and abundance of structure (including countless submerged trees and coves) mean you can explore for years and still find new water. Its spotted bass fishery is truly world-class, with aggressive fish that are eager to bite. It’s the ultimate Northern California fishing playground.
9. Crowley Lake 🏞️
A vast high-desert lake in the Eastern Sierra, Crowley Lake is a renowned trophy trout fishery. Fed by pristine Sierra streams, this 5,000-acre lake is famous for its massive rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout, which are aggressively pursued by fly anglers and bait fishermen alike.
- Fill Your Cooler! While it’s catch-and-release only for some species, Crowley is known for producing genuinely huge trout. Its annual opener is a pilgrimage for many anglers, and the lake’s fertile waters grow some of the biggest and healthiest trout in the state. The Eastern Sierra backdrop makes it an incredibly scenic place to fish.
8. Bridgeport Reservoir ⛰️
Another jewel of the Eastern Sierra, Bridgeport Reservoir is a mecca for trophy trout. This shallow, nutrient-rich lake is known for producing massive brown trout, along with rainbow and cutthroat trout, especially during the spring and fall.
- Chase the River Monster! Bridgeport’s combination of size, forage, and ideal growing conditions creates a true trophy fishery. Its unique character, including vast weed beds and a productive river inlet, makes it a fascinating challenge for serious anglers seeking a fish of a lifetime.
7. Clear Lake 🔥
Here’s where things get controversial for some, but the numbers don’t lie. Clear Lake, California’s largest natural freshwater lake, is consistently ranked among the top bass fishing lakes in the entire country. It’s a largemouth bass factory, renowned for its sheer numbers of fish and its impressive trophy potential.
- Experience the Power! This shallow, eutrophic lake is incredibly fertile, allowing bass to grow quickly and to immense sizes. While its natural state can sometimes lead to algae blooms, the fishing remains phenomenal. Anglers from around the world come here seeking a giant California largemouth, and it rarely disappoints.
6. Hot Creek 💦
More of a stream than a lake, Hot Creek in the Eastern Sierra is a legendary fly-fishing destination. This spring-fed creek offers year-round fishing for wild rainbow and brown trout, thriving in its geothermally warmed waters. It’s a technical, challenging fishery, but incredibly rewarding for skilled fly anglers.
- Your Ultimate Fishing Adventure Awaits! Hot Creek is a true gem for the purist, offering sight-fishing opportunities for wary, intelligent trout. Its unique ecosystem and stunning volcanic landscape make it an unforgettable experience, even if the fish aren’t always easy to catch.
5. Truckee River 🏞️
Flowing from Lake Tahoe through the Sierra Nevada, the Truckee River is an iconic Western trout stream. It’s famous for its wild brown trout and rainbow trout, offering incredible wade-fishing and float-fishing opportunities in a stunning mountain environment.
- Family Fun Awaits! (More for the serious angler, but it’s a beautiful setting) The Truckee’s diverse sections, from fast-moving runs to deep pools, provide a variety of challenges and rewards. It’s a quintessential California angling experience for those who appreciate the beauty of moving water and the challenge of wild trout.
4. Upper Owens River 🏆
Considered by many to be California’s premier trophy trout river, the Upper Owens River in the Eastern Sierra is legendary among fly fishermen. This meandering meadow stream is famous for its enormous wild brown trout and rainbow trout, particularly during their spawning runs.
- Locals Swear By #4! The Upper Owens consistently produces some of the largest river-caught trout in the state, making it a pilgrimage for serious anglers. Its challenging nature and the size of its fish make it a true test of skill and patience. The stunning high-desert scenery is an added bonus.
3. Lake Tahoe 🌲
Straddling the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is more than just a tourist destination—it’s a truly unique and challenging fishery. This massive, deep, and incredibly clear alpine lake holds monster Mackinaw (lake trout), along with kokanee salmon and rainbow trout.
- Surprised? You shouldn’t be! While not a numbers lake, Tahoe is where you go for a truly epic fish. Its crystal-clear waters and immense depth make it a world-class challenge, often requiring specialized techniques like downrigging. The reward? A truly massive, old-growth Mackinaw from one of the most beautiful lakes on Earth.
2. Lake Casitas 🎣
This 2,500-acre reservoir near Ojai has arguably produced more world-record largemouth bass than any other lake in California, and possibly the world. While its record-breaking hay days might be behind it, Casitas remains a consistent producer of truly giant bass.
- The Rivalry is Real! Casitas and other Southern California reservoirs are constantly vying for supremacy. This lake’s stringent management, catch-and-release policies, and rich forage base allow bass to grow to incredible sizes. If you want to fish for a bass of a lifetime, this is a top contender.
1. Lake Millerton 🦅
Surprised? You shouldn’t be! While not a trophy bass factory, Lake Millerton, nestled in the foothills northeast of Fresno, is consistently ranked by local anglers as the most enjoyable and productive overall fishery in the Central Valley for its combination of accessible, diverse, and consistent action. This 4,900-acre reservoir offers fantastic striped bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass, and crappie fishing.
- The “Big M” has it all! Millerton offers a blend of quality and quantity that makes it a local favorite. Its consistent stripers provide exciting action, while its bass populations are thriving. Its close proximity to Fresno and the ease of access make it a daily destination for many. It’s not just the biggest or the most famous, but the heart and soul of Central Valley fishing, and the standard by which accessible, consistent fisheries are measured. You’ll see wildlife that most people only see on nature documentaries, fish water that seems to stretch to the horizon, and understand why locals flock here.
The Verdict 🤔
There you have it—California’s finest fishing lakes and rivers, ranked by the people who fish them most. Did your home water make the cut? Are you already planning an angry email about the absence of Castaic or wondering how we could possibly rank Millerton over some other legendary waters?
That’s the beauty of California fishing—with its incredible diversity of waters, every angler has their secret spot, their personal favorite, and their strong opinions about what makes a water truly great. Whether you’re chasing your first Golden State bass or your hundredth trophy trout, these 21 spots represent the absolute best the Golden State has to offer.
Now quit reading and go fishing! And if you agree (or disagree) with our rankings, share this with your fishing buddies and watch the debates begin. After all, half the fun of fishing is arguing about where to fish next. 🎣
Continue Your California Fishing Journey ➡️
Ready to level up your angling skills or explore new waters? Check out these helpful resources:
- 🎣 Top 10 Bass Fishing Lures That Actually Work: Proven lures anglers swear by in lakes across the U.S.
- 📋 U.S. Fishing License & Regulation Guide: Everything you need to know before casting your line.
- 🧭 Best Times of Year to Fish in Every State: Seasonal tips to help you plan the perfect fishing trip.
- 🏆 America’s 25 Most Legendary Fishing Spots: Bucket-list destinations for serious anglers.
- 🧰 Essential Gear Checklist for Lake Fishing: Don’t leave home without these lake-tested essentials.