Check out these best fishing lakes in California and discover the amenities and types of fish you can find. This post was updated on June 6, 2025 to include information from UC San Diego’s research.

This Saturday anyone can cast a line in lakes, rivers, or the ocean without spending a dime as part of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's free fishing day program.

Discover California's best freshwater adventures! Our guide explores top lakes & rivers like the Colorado, Tahoe & American for rafting, kayaking, boating & more.

San Mateo, nestled in California's scenic Bay Area, offers anglers a rich variety of fishing environments. From serene freshwater lakes nestled among mountains to expansive coastal areas lapping ...

California is brimming with outdoor recreation spots, but this beautiful lake offers just about every type of outdoor thrill ...

By Rachel Becker, CalMatters. Killed by algae blooms and dwindling from dams and droughts, the largest freshwater fish in North America is at risk in California.Last week, wildlife officials took ...

Best bets Delta bass bite best bet, Alan Fong reported. Wishon bite very good, Kelly Brewer said. Pine Flat trout action ...

A North Bay freshwater lake beloved by anglers has been named the best lake for bass fishing in the United States, according to Bassmaster Magazine. Clear Lake in Lake County topped Bassmaster’s July ...

In Southern California, a quiet but widespread public health risk has taken root in the region’s freshwater fishing spots. Researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego ...

More than 90% of freshwater game fish in Southern California carry two types of parasitic flatworms ... present in 93% of the fish they collected and examined from five popular fishing spots around ...

This giant freshwater fish — North America’s largest — gains California protection. Die-offs from algae blooms in San Francisco and Delta water diversions have left a giant, shark-like ...