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Castaic Lake Fishing Report [Tips, Spots, Pictures, and Everything You Need to Know]

How To Fish Castaic Lake | Your Castaic Lake Fishing Report

Castaic Lake is a relatively large lake that sits 42 miles away from Los Angeles, 169 miles away from San Diego, and 344 miles away from San Francisco.

Overall it’s a popular being located on the northeast edge of Los Angeles. In this post you’re going to be given the blueprint to fish this lake.

So what are the best tips for fishing Castaic Lake? There are three important factors you must know if you want to know how to fish Castaic Lake successfully. First, you need to know what kind of fish is in Castaic Lake. Second, it’s important for you to know which part of the lake each species can be found. Lastly, knowing what are the best baits that work on Castaic Lake is vital. However, tactics, baits, and locations will be different for each type of fish that you target. So let’s talk about the steps you need to take in order to give you the best chance of catching a fish on Castaic Lake.

Key Takeaways

This lake gives locals and visitors the opportunity to test their luck in catching one of the many game species this lake has to offer, such as Florida Strain Largemouth Bass,  Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, Bluegill, and much, much more!

Here’s the most recent and updated Castaic Lake Fishing Report – it gives you a quick and easy list of some really good fishing spots. If you’re looking for more detail on how to fish each spot scroll down into the article. 

  • SKI ARM
  • The Cliffs
  • Owl Canyon Cove
  • Slalom Cove
  • The Ridges
  • FISHING ARM
  • Old Outhouse Cove
  • Red Clay Cove
  • Dry Creek Gulch

Here are some additional fast and helpful tips just for you: 

  • The easiest way to fish this lake is by boat, but there are areas to fish from the bank, or by kayak or float tube.
  • There are public boat ramps to use.
  • Camping and RV parking is available.
  • You can buy tackle and groceries at the lake or at one of the tackle shops in Castaic, Santa Clarita or Sylmar.

About Castaic Lake

Castaic Lake is a deep body of water with the average depth ranging from 40-150 (out in the middle of the channel). It has a maximum depth of approximately 310 feet when the lake is completely full. Castaic lake is approx 5 miles long, however being shaped like a “V” each arm of the lake is just over 2 miles in length and ⅓ of a mile wide. Castaic Lake has 29 miles of shoreline; the lake spans over 2,235 acres. 

This is part of the West Branch California Aqueduct and supplies power and drinking water to the city of Los Angeles. Castaic Lake gives locals and visitors the opportunity to test their luck in catching one of the many game species this lake has to offer..

Important Lake Warnings

Algae blooms may be present which may affect fishing, swimming, and water contact in general. 

According to parks.ca.gov, “every one of California’s new laws requires boat operators to have a California Boating Card. The card is required for anyone under the age of 41 to operate a boat in California’s waters.”

If you are fishing and camping, fire bans may be in effect due to the ongoing drought conditions.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Closed on Christmas

According to parks.lacounty.gov there are new restrictions for the lake, “Beginning Thursday, July 1, 2021, the Personal Water Craft (PWC) Area at Castaic Lake Recreation Area will be closed to the public for the remainder of the 2021 season. This is due to the drawdown of the lake water, which is being done for the tower bridge seismic improvement project, overseen by the Department of Water Resources (DWR). This closure will create an overall safer environment for all users of Castaic Lake. We will continue to keep you up-to-date on the latest information on when PWC can return to the Castaic Lake Recreation Area.”

There are two sections of the lake, the “Fish Arm” on the upper lake to the north east offers multiple bays and plenty of structure for fish to hide in. The “Ski Arm” lies to the north west, where power boats, water skiers, and wake boarders may spend a day on the lake. 

Personal watercraft, such as jet skis and sea doos, have a designated location just in front of the main launch ramp on the dam’s side, where no private or fishing boats are allowed.

The upper lake is closed to swimming; however, the approved beach areas on the lower lagoon are open to swimming.

You can gain access to the lake by buying a permit for your car and boat. When you click the link, type in CAST into the search bar and it will bring up various permits for Castaic Lake  – link. 

What Kind Of Fish Are In Castaic Lake

  • Rainbow Trout
  • Florida-strain Largemouth bass
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Striped Bass
  • Channel catfish
  • Black crappie
  • Bluegill/ Sunfish

Castaic Lake Fishing Tips & General Strategies

It can be a challenge to break down this body of water… So that’s why I created this Castaic Lake Fishing Report to help you to easily start catching fish fast! 

Most of the fish such as bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish will spawn in the spring.  Bass will spawn in 1’-25’-feet of water notably on rocky structure, gravel flats, humps, and small creek inlets and cuts.  

When the summer heat sets in, the bass, bluegill, and crappie will move to deeper water to approximately 15’-45’-feet of water. Focus on drops offs, channels, points, submerged humps. Deeper area with chunk rock ranging from baseball to basketball size will attract predatory fish like bass, crappie and catfish because it provides a safe area the prey (crayfish, bream, and minnows) can hide.

If you can find the ideal spot at the ideal depth then it will most likely assist you in catching fish.

Castaic Lake has become a prominent fishing spot for striped bass, which were introduced through the California Aqueduct system. These stripers devour shad as well as the planted trout that are released at boat ramps.

Stripers are typically caught in waters between 25 and 45 feet, however it is not unheard of to capture them in depths of up to 60 feet. Striped bass will travel into the shallows to feed on trout that are in the shallows between 10 and 15 feet deep, or they may pursue shad into the backs of coves and feed on them close to the surface, resulting in what anglers call “shad boils”.

The simplest way to catch stripers is from a boat or kayak while trolling lures. Shoreline anglers can catch stripers close to the boat ramps or close to the Castaic Dam.

If you want to catch rainbow trout, focus your efforts on the areas along the following:

  1. Numerous boat ramps
  2. The main lake ledges off C Point and Juliana Point (during the summer)
  3. Up river into Elizabeth Canyon (when the water is flowing during the spring). 

But without further ado let’s dive in, okay?

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But Where Are The Best Places To Fish At Castaic Lake?

And in no particular order here is that list of the best fishing spots at Castaic Lake.

DISCLAIMER:  The material provided is for general information purposes only. It’s important to understand that any information provided in this article can change at any time. Any maps or graphics featured are not to be used as navigational aids. Fishing Blueprint will not be responsible for any personal injury or property damage from any misuse of the maps or graphics provided.   It’s completely impossible to give you every single spot where you can potentially catch a fish.  But, what this list does do is to give you a helping hand and narrow down to the most productive fishing spots.

The Cliffs

The Cliffs is located on the Ski Arm of the lake. 

One of its defining features is it is incredibly steep and drops into 160+ feet of water which makes this an excellent place to troll for cold-water fish like trout. 

Closer to the shore this area is phenomenal for smallmouth and spotted bass. 

Look carefully at this spot with low water level…

Downriggers and drift socks aid in catching these trout that are suspended over deep water 80-150-feet deep during the late springtime all the way through late summertime.

Some of the effective baits for this area include: Fish attractor (ie: flasher or dodger), trolling spoons, inline spinners, Rapala minnows, Quick Fish, streamers and flies. You can also use real or artificial corn, natural salmon eggs, artificial salmon eggs, real worms such as meal worms or nightcrawlers, artificial worms, and dough bait. Better yet, just buy a complete done-for-you trout lure kit!

Located: West lake, Ski arm. 

Structural features: Steep clay and rocky banks, deep channels and drop offs.

Best species to target: Trout, striped bass, smallmouth bass

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat Trolling with a downrigger, trolling without a downrigger

Owl Canyon Cove

Look carefully at this spot with low water level…

This cove is relatively shallow and doesn’t have much of a channel in the back of the cove, but it does offer floating vegetation mats and large chunk rock banks. 

Scan the area with your fish finder for artificial habitat other anglers may or may not have dropped (wink-wink).

Check and scan the mouth of the cove, there are several submerged humps and ledges that drop into deep water making this area phenomenal for summer fishing.  

Since there are so many structures and places to fish in this area. Local guides strongly suggest you scan the area with your fishfinder to locate shad or bluegill relating to a piece of structure first before fishing it. 

Effective baits for this area include: crankbaits, soft plastic swimbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, chatterbaits, swim jigs, hair jigs, and underspin jigs when the bass are aggressive. Flutter spoons work great in the deeper channel sections as well.  

If the bass are timid, then drop shot, tubes, Ned rig, Neko rig, Mojo rig, Carolina rig, and jigs all work really well.

Located: West lake in Ski arm

Structural features: vegetation flat with floating and submerged vegetation, natural and artificial submerged structure, large chunk rock banks, offshore humps, and high spots.

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, striped bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, and catfish

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shoreline fishing

Slalom Cove

Look carefully at this spot with low water level…

This cove next to Owl Canyon Cove.

It’s a little deeper and has more of a winding channel.

This is a great cove to fish all year long.

It has main lake humps and points that drop into deeper water…

It has a channel turn ridge that fish love to position on…

The channel also starts north-to-south, then turns to the east.  That combination makes it a perfect spawning cove. 

Similar to Owl Canyon Cove scan the heck out of this area… it’s an awesome spot. 

Effective baits for this area include: crankbaits, soft plastic swimbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, chatterbaits, swim jigs, hair jigs, and underspin jigs when the bass are aggressive. Flutter spoons work great in the deeper channel sections as well.  

If the bass are timid, then drop shot, tubes, Ned rig, Neko rig, Mojo rig, Carolina rig, and jigs all work really well.

Located: West lake in Ski arm

Structural features: Winding channel with floating and submerged vegetation, natural and artificial submerged structure, large chunk rock banks, offshore humps, and high spots.

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, and catfish

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shoreline fishing

The Ridges

If you analyze the topography you’ll notice the two long submerged main lake points.  Next to it are steep banks that strewn with chunk rock banks. 

Look carefully at this spot with low water level…

Additionally, you can see the ridges on the point and the hump at the end of the point.  Lastly, you’ll see a multiple shelfs and drop offs on each of the points. 

All of these spots will attract fish.  Carefully, scan this area with your sonar and fish efficiently.

Side scanning this area for active fish such as all species of trout and smallmouth bass should be a must if you plan to fish this lake.

Surprisingly, this area remains relatively quiet for recreational fishing traffic, due to the fact that most other anglers will either focus on the north or south end of the lake. 

Effective baits for trout in this area include: Fish attractor (ie: flasher or dodger), trolling spoons, inline spinners, Rapala minnows, Quick Fish, streamers and flies. You can also use real or artificial corn, natural salmon eggs, artificial salmon eggs, real worms such as meal worms or nightcrawlers, artificial worms, and dough bait. Better yet, just buy a complete done-for-you trout lure kit!

Effective baits for bass this area include: topwater lures, flutter spoons, buzzbaits, crankbaits, soft plastic swimbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, jerkbaits, swim jigs, hair jigs, and underspin jigs when the bass are aggressive.

If the bass are timid, then drop shot, tubes, Ned rig, Neko rig, Mojo rig, Carolina rig, and football jigs all work really well.

Located: Mid-lake, Ski arm

Structural features: Steep rocky banks, drop offs, and ledges

Best species to target: Bass, trout

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak

Castaic Dam

The southern part of the lake is home to this lakes water retention dam.

The dam is covered in thick chunk rock, in which the size can range from small boulders to basketball sized rock (also known as “rip rap”). 

Expect banks are steep with an approximate 45-degree downward pitch. 

There are a TON of crawfish, bluegill, minnows, and shad seek shelter in this area, which in turn attract bass and other predatory fish. 

It’s best to focus your efforts on cuts, piles of rock that create a ‘point on the point’, fishing the largest of boulders in that area, as well as, the transition areas from larger rock to smaller rock size.

During the summer, top water baits work really well one hour before and after the sunrise/ or sunset. An excellent midday strategy is to come back to this spot and scan this area with a fish finder and locate the thermocline. Chances are the bass will hold just a few feet above the thermocline. Once identified, target these rip rap points with a lure that can be used at that specific depth.

Effective baits for this area include: topwater lures, buzzbaits in the morning or on cloudy conditions. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, chatterbaits, umbrella rigs, underspin jigs, swim jigs, hair jigs, lipless crankbaits, and soft plastic swimbaits perform well here in breezy conditions or during the midday.

In contrast, slower-moving baits such as drop shot, football jigs, tubes, wacky rig, Texas rig, Neko rigs, and Carolina rigs can be phenomenal when the conditions are calm or the bass are holding close to the rocks.

Flutter spoons work great in the deepest part of the point or over any secondary structures directly related to the point.  

Located: east side

Structural features: rip rap banks

Best species to target: bass, crappie, sunfish

Most effective way to fish this spot: boat or kayak

Old Outhouse Cove

Look carefully at this spot with low water level…

Old Outhouse Cove is best described as a channel swing cove with isolated patches of chunk rock banks, drop offs, and ledges. 

The banks can range from moderate to relatively steep and can range from large boulders, to chunk rock, to pea-sized substrate.

This area remains relatively popular for recreational fishing traffic. 

Effective baits for this area include:  buzzbaits, crankbaits, chatterbaits, soft plastic swimbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, swim jigs, hair jigs, and underspin jigs when the bass are aggressive.  Flutter spoons work great in the deeper channel sections as well.  

If the bass are timid, then drop shot, tubes, Ned rig, Neko rig, Mojo rig, Carolina rig, and football jigs all work really well.

Located: East lake, Fishing arm

Structural features: Steep rocky banks, drop offs, humps and ledges

Best species to target: Striped, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish

Most effective way to fish this spot: boat

Taylor Cove

This cove is a relatively straight cove and is lined with thick brush and some standing timber.  Large ridges and rock piles line the sides of this area. 

This is a good arm of the lake to fish year round.

In the summer look for bass and crappie on main lake points, humps and ridges. In the fall concentrate your efforts back in the lake arm channel bends to find bass chasing shad.  

Look carefully at this spot with low water level…

Here is a list of lures that can work great in this area: topwater lures, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, frog lures, umbrella rigs,  jerkbaits, swim jigs, soft plastic swimbaits, chatterbaits, hair jigs, and underspin jigs.

Flutter spoons work great when used over any deep channels, points, structure, or vertical timber.  

In contrast, slower moving baits such as drop shot, football jigs, tubes, wacky rig, Texas rig, Neko rigs, and Carolina rigs can be phenomenal when the conditions are calm or the bass are not as active.

Located: southwest section of the lake

Structural features: Steep walled lake arm with several sharp creek channel bends, submerged brush and standing timber, large rock piles. 

Best species to target: Bass, crappie, catfish

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, float tube, shoreline

Red Clay Cove

Look carefully at this spot with low water level…

Red Clay Cove is the most shallow of all coves in the Fishing Arm. Thereby, it’s also the warmest. Many times you’ll see bass spawning at least a month before the rest of the lake. 

A really great feature about this cove is there is one main creek channel that runs down the middle of it, however there are several other ditches (smaller secondary creek channels) that run into main Red Clay Cove creek channel, it kinda looks like a leaf. 

On the outer edges there are scattered rock piles, submerged brush, and laydowns.

With so many options to choose from the best spots to catch bass tend to have some type of structure on it (ie; a rock pile, laydown, brush pile) next to a ditch or the main creek channel.   

Effective baits for this area include:  buzzbaits, crankbaits, chatterbaits, soft plastic swimbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, swim jigs, hair jigs, and underspin jigs when the bass are aggressive.  Flutter spoons work great in the deeper channel sections as well.  

If the bass are timid, then drop shot, tubes, Ned rig, Neko rig, Mojo rig, Carolina rig, and football jigs all work really well.

Located: Fishing Arm

Structural features: shallow cove, thick, scattered rock piles, submerged brush, and laydowns.

Best species to target: Spotted bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass

Most effective way to fish this spot: boat, 

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How To Catch Fish In Castaic Lake

Rainbow Trout

California Department of Fish and Wildlife grows and stocks local lakes and reservoirs like this lake with Rainbow Trout.

Due to this lake being relatively unpressured, deep, and colder, and most other desert reservoirs, the stocked trout do very well. 

Furthermore, trout are produced in local fisheries, they are healthy and have no limit on the amount of trout that can be consumed.

Typically trout are stocked frequently, however, it can vary. 

Sometimes you’ll read this lake has steelhead trout, but no rainbow trout, or visa versa… 

This can be confusing for a lot of people. Are rainbow trout and steelhead trout the same?

Short answer, they are nearly the same species.

But, if you have ever wondered, what is the real difference between a rainbow trout and a steelhead trout? We wrote a definitive report called, “What’s the Difference Between A Rainbow Trout Vs Steelhead”.  Click here to read it, so you can end the confusion once and for all. 

General Trout Details

Spawn: March-May

Food: insects and crustaceans. 

California State Record: 27 lbs 0 oz. Caught 10/02/2005 in Lake Natoma.

Table Quality: Depending on the fishes diet, the meat can be white to orange-red in color. The meat is firm, flaky, and is considered excellent eating.

Angling techniques:

  • Trolling with or without downriggers
  • Trolling flies
  • Fish attractor such as a  flasher or a dodger – great when trolling.
  • Trolling spoons such as a Krocodile spoon, Super Duper, Crippled Herring, Cast Champ, or  Hus-Lure – simple, easy to use, can be trolled or cast-retrieved at any speed.
  • Inline spinners such as the Blue Fox Classic Vibrax Spinner, Bang-Tail and Shyster – get a ton of bites.
  • Minnow style baits such as the Luhr-Jensen Quick Fish and the Rapala BX minnow – known to hook up giant fish.
  • Real or artificial corn – great because it will never spoil or mold over.
  • Natural salmon eggs – it’s hard to beat natural salmon eggs at bait. When trout are eating salmon eggs, they’ll eat up a couple of jars in less than an hour!
  • Artificial salmon eggs – great because they float off the bottom – ideal in rocky or grassy conditions.
  • Real worms – such as meal worms or nightcrawlers.
  • Artificial worms – great for trolling and will never die.
  • Dry flies (floating flies) – The insects that land, float, or live on top of the water, which are represented by dry flies. Investing in a kit gives you a wide assortment of flies and a good selection of types and sizes allow you to quickly adjust to any situation.
  • Wet flies (sinking flies) – Wet flies imitate insects that develop and inhabit below the water level before emerging and rising to the surface. Investing in a kit gives you a wide assortment of flies and a good selection of types and sizes allow you to quickly adjust to any situation.  
  • Woolly bugger flies – One of the most popular fly patterns ever is the Woolly Bugger. These mimic small fish, leeches, larvae, and worms. Investing in a kit gives you a wide assortment of flies and a good selection of types and sizes allow you to quickly adjust to any situation.  

    • Steamer flies – They can also mimic larger animals found in streams and rivers, including crawfish, larger leeches, and smaller fish. Investing in a kit gives you a wide assortment of flies and a good selection of types and sizes allow you to quickly adjust to any situation. 

      • **The number one key to successful trout fishing, is to use light line (2 to 6 pound) and small hooks (10-14 sizes), and small sinkers.

        On a Side Note: Tips For Trolling for Trout...

        If you have access to a boat or kayak, try to put as many lures in the water as possible (obviously, check local laws, regulations, and restrictions, as well as knowing if certain locations have limits) and as far away from the boat as feasible.

        Some utilize planer boards and even down riggers to keep the lines away from the boat.

        Here’s where a smart professional fishing-guide can and will hook you up with some of the biggest, toughest-fighting fish you’ll ever encounter.

        Having high-quality electronics aids in establishing the depth at which fish are continuously feeding, as well as which food source is being consumed the most frequently.

        If you examine the shoreline’s structure along with using your fish finder, study the underwater topography of the lake.

        If you notice a cliff, it’s likely that the water at its base is deep. 

        If you observe a chain of islands or exposed main lake humps, there’s a good chance there’s a shallow shoal or channel between them.

        Trout prefer drop-offs, channels, and ledges, so you’ll want to troll parallel to these locations rather than over them. 

        If you stumble upon a place and catch a trout, there’s a good chance there are more.


        Luckily there is an in-depth report that you can access, called How To Troll for Trout [A Beginner’s Guide], you’ll learn all the special tips and strategies many of the fishing guides will keep to themselves. Click here to learn more, so you can extend your fishing season all year long.

        Largemouth Bass

        You may be wondering… How do you fish for bass in Castaic Lake?

        Largemouth bass is a carnivorous member of the sunfish family.

        California grows some MONSTER bass.  At any time you could hook into a bass that could be your all-time personal best.  

        In general, if the water clarity is clear to a slightly stained lake. Meaning finesse techniques (like drop shot fishing), small lures (like football jigs), and thin diameter line gets you the most bites when the wind is calm. 

        On the other hand, if the water is moderately stained or murky, then you need to choose darker lures. This also means you can get away with using thicker diameter line.

        Since the 1980’s this lake has been stocked with Florida-strain largemouth bass. Bass fishing in this lake is not as popular as trout or salmon fishing. Luckily, you can still catch a giant bass by lobbying large swimbaits for glide baits in trout patterns. 

        Once your arm gets tired you can still catch a ton of fish by throwing a drop shot rig, small crankbait, or dragging a Texas rigged Senko around a fish attracting structure.

        If that doesn’t catchem, you can switch to either a drop shot rig or a Neko rig and target points, boulders, or channel swings. 

        That’s why we wrote this Castaic Lake Fishing Report for you… so you can get the inside scoop about the top spots and best lures to use to help you out…

        If you’re still not sure how to catch a bass, don’t worry. A complete section on Bass Fishing 101 was written to help you out. In that section, you’ll learn about the top ways to get you catching bass fast.

        Read more: Beginner’s Guide To Bass Fishing Basics – Tips, Secrets & Things To Avoid

        General Largemouth Bass Details

        Spawn: Spring, March-May

        Food: Shad, minnows, small trout, small salmon, bluegill, perch, crayfish

        California State Record: 21lbs 12 oz. Caught in 1991 in Castaic Lake at the main boat ramp.

        Table Quality: Decent. Firm white meat. 

        Angling techniques:

        Smallmouth Bass

        Smallmouth bass are a sibling species closely related to largemouth bass. They have a pretty brown/golden color and carry the nickname of “bronzeback”. There are a few physical features that make it different from the largemouth bass. Aside from being bronze in color, they will have gray-brown vertical bands and the most defining feature is the jaw does not extend past its eye. 

        Overall, smallmouth bass are most likely going about half the size of largemouth bass. However, pound for pound, a smallmouth can be incredibly aggressive and will put up an amazing fight. 

        General Smallmouth Bass Details

        Spawn: March-May

        Food: fish, crustaceans. 

        California State Record: 9 lbs 13 oz. Caught 7/3/2007 in Pardee Reservoir.

        Table Quality: Similar to a largemouth bass it’s firm, white, flaky, mild-tasting

        Angling techniques:

        Striped Bass

        Commonly known as “stripers”, striped bass travel into freshwater streams to reproduce, yet they are saltwater natives.

        Most landlocked striped bass will grow to an average size of 12-20 inches and weigh 1-3 pounds. However, some striped bass can grow to become enormous and can weigh as much as 70+ pounds! 

        Because their eggs need to move in order to hatch, stripers prefer freshwater rivers and streams as spawning places.

        Once a lake or river is dammed off, the area is often inundated by landlocked stripers.

        One great example of this is the striped bass that are found in the Colorado river lakes near the California-Arizona border. The river was a key spawning habitat before dams were created, and many giant stripers have come from these waters.

        When targeting stripers, focus the majority of your fishing on the deepest water the lake has to offer. Stripers are typically nearby if you can find schools of shad.

        It’s strongly recommended you invest in a good fish finder/ sonar unit. Bait fish will appear as a clump of tiny dots suspended in the water column.  Additionally, striped bass will appear as larger arcs below or near the school of shad.  If you see striped bass near the school of shad you need to fish it.

        Stripers may be caught on a variety of baits such as minnow baits, jointed crankbaits, umbrella rigs, or swimming spoons at proper depths when the baitfish are suspended over the deep water.

        If you notice any surface feeding action, using topwater baits such as walking baits, or surface prop baits such as whopper ploppers make fishing an absolute blast. 

        Jigging spoons perform insanely well when the stripers are deep.

        Striped bass can often be found in medium to deep water coves and secondary lake arms. One of the first places to find striped bass is to look at your fishing map and find distinct changes in depth such as drop offs or river channel swings.

        Striped bass can always be caught using live bait, cut bait (such as frozen anchovy, shad, shrimp, or squid – yep even in lakes), as well as chicken livers.

        Lastly, trolling is another great approach to catch stripers. Use larger sizes of flashing lures. Stripers may be caught on a variety of baits such as minnow baits, jointed crankbaits, umbrella rigs, or swimming spoons

        General Striped Bass Details

        Spawn: April – mid-June in flowing water, current or rivers

        Food: Shad, dead or alive. 

        California State Record: 67 lb 8 oz. 45.25 in. O’Neill Forebay. Hank Ferguson, Soquel 5/7/1992

        Table Quality: The meat is excellent. It’s firm, flaky and white. There is a red lateral line that must be removed otherwise it gives off a strong “fishy” taste. Otherwise, these make excellent fish fry meals.

        Angling techniques:

        • Frozen shad or anchovies as “cut bait”
        • Small soft plastic swimbait
        • Spoons
        • Streamer flies

        White and Black Crappie

        If you like crappie fishing, this lake is filled with them. 

        The best time to fish for crappie in this lake and other lakes similar to it is in summertime while you’re night using a submerged green light. If you don’t know what a green fishing light is, or if you’re unfamiliar, then click this link to learn more.

        Green light fishing at night in this lake is amazing. If you haven’t done it you are missing out. The nights are cool and the night sky is filled with stars…

        Anyway, I digress…

        White crappie tend to linger over submerged brush and timber and are found in schools. The white crappie are much more tolerant in warmer water than their black crappie cousins. 

        White crappie have a more “silvery” appearance and lack the dark vertical bars when compared to the black crappie.  

        Black crappie can be described as having irregular black dots and blotches on the back and have more of a “silvery-olive” background.

        Average weight of a white or black crappie in this lake is probably going to be just under a pound. 

        General Crappie Details

        Spawn: April – mid-June

        Food: Larvae, small fish, and crustaceans. Threadfin shad and minnows make up their main diet. 

        California State Record: 

        • White crappie: 4 lbs 8 oz. Caught 4/26/1971 in Clear Lake using minnows.
        • Black crappie: 4 lbs 8 oz. Caught 2/17/2021 in Clear Lake using minnows.

        Table Quality: The meat is excellent. It’s firm, flaky and white. 

        Angling techniques:

        • Live minnows under bobbers
        • Crappie jigs
        • Crappie tubes
        • Silver spoons
        • Spinners

        Catfish

        There are four species of catfish in California, the blue catfish, bullhead catfish, channel catfish, white catfish.   

        Catfish are predatory animals and scavengers. Some can get very big, while others remain small. They tend to spend most of their time on the bottom of the lake versus swimming higher in the water column suspended. 

        Catfish can have up to 8 whisker-like barbels by their mouths to help them detect food. 

        Blue catfish can get very big. They can weigh more than 100 pounds and grow to around 5 feet long. They have 8 whisker-like barbels by their mouths. They prefer larger cut bait and live bait 

        Conversely, bullhead catfish tend to be smaller and will weigh on average about 1-2-pounds, but can grow to around 4-5-pounds. 

        Channel catfish weight will range from 0.5-to-15-pounds in this lake, however the average weight will be between 1-4-pounds. 

        The smallest of all catfish in North America is the white catfish. These catfish are considered rare by anglers’ standards. They average 1-2 pounds and will grow to only about a foot.

        All species prefer warmer coves, but can also be found scavenging near the marinas, or around the dam.  

        All can be caught with live bait, cut bait or dough bait. Some of the best baits you can use are chicken livers, hotdogs, anchovies, mackerel or sardines, catfish stink-bait/dough baits, or even night crawlers. warm coves or near the dam. 

        General Catfish Details

        Spawn: March-June

        Food: Carp, bluegill

        California State Record: 

        Blue catfish –  72 lbs 14 oz. Caught 4/22/2003 in Colorado River (Riverside).

        Bullhead catfish – 4 lbs 8 oz. Caught 10/7/1993 in Trinity Lake.

        Channel catfish –  53 lbs 8 oz. Caught 9/22/2008 in San Joaquin River.

        White catfish –  22 lbs 0 oz. Caught 3/21/1994 in Land Park pond (Sacramento).

        Table Quality: Soft white meat. In the summer the meat will taste muddy.

        Angling techniques:

        • chicken liver
        • hotdogs
        • stink bait
        • small live bluegill, sunfish, or perch
        • Frozen cut bait; anchovies, mackerel or sardines.

        Bluegill or Sunfish

        Also known collectively as “panfish” or “bream”, these small fish are both predators and prey. They fulfill a mid-tier predator role in the ecosystem. 

        Panfish are highly aggressive and eat minnows, bass fry (newly hatched baby bass), and insects. 

        The bluegill has teal-blue coloring on the bottom portion of the chin and gill plate. It also has a solid black opercula flap just behind the gill plate.

        Fun fact: The oldest reported age for a bluegill is 10 years.

        With the exception of appearance and size, the redear sunfish is quite similar to the bluegill. The dorsal fin of the redear sunfish features tiny vertical bands that go downward. It has a black dorsal color and a yellow-green ventral tint. The male’s operculum has a cherry-red edge, while the female’s has an orange coloring.

        These panfish are found on the shoreline and prefer nearby structures. They are incredibly aggressive and will quickly attack anything that looks like it could be eaten. Due to their aggressive behavior, they are one of the easiest fish to catch and are a great way to introduce someone to fishing.

        General Bluegill/ Sunfish Details

        Spawn: April and May

        Food: Small fish and insects

        California State Record: 

        Bluegill – 3 lbs 14 oz. Caught 6/22/2008 in Rancho Murieta Reservoir.

        Sunfish (red ear) – 5 lbs 3 oz. 6/27/1994 in Folsom South Canal (Sacramento) 

        Table Quality: Firm, white meat 

        Angling techniques: 

        • Worms
        • Dough balls
        • Slim Jim sausages pieces on a small hook (not lying… it really works)
        • Small spinners
        • Trout flies

        Boat Ramps at Castaic Lake

        Castaic Lake Boat Launch Ramp

        Location: Southend of the lake, next to Castaic Landing Boat Rentals

        Address: 32839 Lake Hughes Rd, Castaic, CA 91384

        Website: none

        Phone number: none

        Lanes: 9

        Restrooms: Yes

        Showers: No

        Gas: No

        Camping nearby: No

        Castaic Lake West Ramp

        Location: westside of lake

        Address: not given

        Website: none

        Phone number: none

        Lanes: 3

        Restrooms: Yes

        Showers: no

        Gas: No

        Camping nearby: No

        Marinas at Castaic Lake

        Castaic Landing Boat Rentals

        This is not an actual floating marina, more like a small shop that offers boat rentals. Unfortunately, this is the only business on the lake that comes close to functioning like a marina. Although small, they have the pulse of the lake and can often tell you what the fish are biting on at the given time.

        Address: 32839 Lake Hughes Rd, Castaic, CA 91384

        Phone number: (661) 775-6232

        Nearby boat ramp: Yes, 9 lanes available to use

        Restrooms: Yes

        Showers: no

        Gas: Yes

        Groceries/snacks available: No

        Electric: No 

        Camping nearby: No

        Tackle Shops Near Castaic Lake

        Tackle Express

        22941 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91350

        (661)2518700

        Gallions Castaic Corner

        31515 Ridge Rte Rd, Castaic, CA 91384

        (661) 257-3523

        Pyramid Lake Store

        43100 Pyramid Lake Rd, Castaic, CA 91384

        (661) 294-9403

        Tackle Shack USA

        12061 Foothill Blvd Unit A, Sylmar, CA 91342

        (747) 274-1081

        ———HUGE FISHING BLUEPRINT NATIONAL PROMOTION!———

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        Click On the Picture To Learn More!

        Camping Near Castaic Lake

        Castaic Lake Campgrounds – 

        https://www.campsitephotos.com/campground/ca/castaic-lake/

        Castaic Lake has a total of 65 campsites spread over 3 different lots, A, B, and C. The lots are actually located adjacent to Castaic Lake Lagoon 

        • Sites – 65 total. 
          • RV – some have hook ups, some don’t
          • Standard sites/ tent sites available
        • Availability – Year round
        • Dump station available: Yes
        • Fish cleaning station available: Information not available
        • Low season: October – March
        • High season: April – September 
        • Pets welcome: Yes, not allowed in water
        • Fire ring – Yes
        • Grill – Yes
        • Drinking water – Yes
        • Flush toilets – Yes
        • Showers – Yes, coin operated 

        Reservations – To reserve a campsite, please call (661) 257-4050

        Other Activities You Can Do At Castaic Lake

        Fishing is not the only thing that brings people to the beautiful body of water. Here’s a list of other things you can do!

        • Biking
        • Bird watching
        • Boating
        • Skiing
        • Kayaking
        • Canoeing
        • Sailing
        • Swimming
        • Camping
        • Horseshoes
        • Picnicking
        • Hiking
        • Gentle walking trails
        • Nature photography trails
        • Wildlife viewing
        • Mountain biking
        • Stargazing
        • and most importantly… relaxing.

        In Summary...

        As you now can see Castaic Lake fishing can be tough at times, but it’s not impossible and with the help of the Castaic Lake Fishing Report… It definitely helps you get started on the right foot quickly and easily, so you can avoid wasting hours wondering where and how to get started.

        Did You Get All This?

        As fellow fisherman and content creator I thrive on helping others… I feel like I can do the most good by helping others… And frankly… I would feel like I did something wrong if you didn’t walk away feeling a little better about this lake.

        I truly want to over deliver for you…

        So Let Me Ask You Another Question… 

        After reading this helpful report:

        • Can you see how this could change the way you would fish this lake?… To make it easier, faster… and… with less headache, less frustration?
        • If nothing else, do you now have a better sense of where you can get started, even if you have have been here?
        • Do you feel that you have a good grasp of what species to expect in this lake?
        • Do you have a good understanding what baits are needed to catch each of the different species of fish?
        • Earlier we came up with some helpful spots to catch more fish, can you see yourself considering any one of those spots? Which ones are you the most excited about implementing when you get to the lake?
        • Is it fair to say that using these spots would give you a significant advantage over someone else who’s fishing this lake? 

        I Need To Ask A Favor From You And It’s Not Going To Cost You A Single Dime… 

        If you have gotten anything out of this free report; whether its knowing where to get started, what kinds of fish are in this lake, what baits to use, where to launch your boat, where to buy a frosty beverage, where to camp, and other things to do when you’re at this lake…

        Then I need you to do something that is going to help you your fellow angler…

        And that is share this report.  Please share it to as many people as you can.  It’s free to you and it really helps me out as a creator. 

        Lastly… thank you for spending your time reading through this report and I hope you have a luck on the water.  

        THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP ME THE MOST:  There’s a lot of information about this subject you have found helpful, and I’m sure you’ll be able to put some of the knowledge bombs to use.  But sharing this report helps drive traffic which in turn helps me at absolutely no cost to you.  I love creating reports like this for you, and you like reading these types of reports please share this with your friends, family, and fellow anglers.   

        Click on your favorite social media buttons to share this page now!

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        Other California Related Fishing Articles

        Accessories You’ll Need

        Fishing Rod

        Rod –The popularity of fishing is growing and people are becoming much more conscious of different rods that can help them.

        Fishermen want the best technique-specific rod for the money.

        Luckily, the report I wrote provides you with detailed information in order for you to make buy the rod for the money, and more importantly which rods to avoid at all costs.

        >> What Rods To Use For Bass Fishing? 10 Awesome General Purpose Rods Reviewed

        Fishing Reel

        Reel – Having the correct reel to match with your rod is just as important.  A good reel should be light and have a buttery smooth drag. There are several great reels on the market, but I recommend the a quality Shimano  baitcasting reel. It’s a great reel packed with great features. So much so that it could easily be priced in the mid $200 range.

        >>How To Choose A Great Bass Fishing Reel For The Money [and which to avoid at all costs]

        Fishing Line

        Fishing Line – Having a good line is just as important as having a good rod. I recommend fishing with a good fluorocarbon line. Furthermore, it’s super sensitive because it has little to no stretch, and underwater it’s invisible to the bass!  If pride or money is on the line I would use Sunline Sniper FC.

        >>21 Tips To Choose The Best Fishing Line

        Fishing Lures & Baits

        Fishing Lures – It’s pretty hard and darn near impossible trying to catch a fish without using some sort of lure or bait.  More importantly these baits you should never forget at home or it could lead to a horrible day on the water

        >>5 Bass Fishing Lures You Never Want to Leave At Home

        Fish Finder

        Finding lunker bass has never been easier when using a fish finding sonar unit.  Packed with additional features to make your day on the water even easier.  Maps that can plan your day or help you find your way back even in the darkest of nights. Bright bold numbers and letters to make reading the maps easy even in the brightest of days, and colors that pop and make it quick and easy to identify fish. 

        If you have a boat, kayak, canoe, or float tube, you need a fish finder. 

        Here’s our choice for the best fish finder between $299-$800:

        Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA SI

        It has all the features for any serious fisherman whether you’re an avid weekend warrior, or a tournament angler. This has all the bells and whistles you’re looking for. 

        >> Click HERE to Read The Reviews About Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA SI now

        Here’s our choice for the best economic fish finder:

        Garmin Stryker

        While others look for bites, your fishfinder and GPS plotter help you reach your daily limit. You can mark preferred docks, ramps, and hotspots to easily return to them later and even share waypoints.

        Click HERE to Read The Reviews About Garmin Stryker now!

        Life Vest

        According to Statista, “In the United States, 658 people died as a result of boating accidents and 2,641 people were injured in 2021.”

        And it gets even worse… The National Safe Boating Council reported, “Where cause of death was known, 81% of fatal boating accident victims drowned.”

        And if that’s not enough the incidence of deaths has climbed dramatically in recent years.

        So if you’re on the water you NEED to wear your life vest. Protect you, your friends, and your families lives by wearing a life vest every time you’re on the water.

        I recommend the ONYX PFD. It’s comfortable for all day use and there is lots of room for the air to move around so you won’t get sweaty.

        >>Click HERE to read all the reviews actual customers!

        Sunglasses

        Sunglasses – Do you find yourself fishing in variable light and water conditions? Fishing in open water? Fishing in the bright hot sun? Then, only to leave the lake with eye strain and a splitting headache?

        If so, I strongly recommend investing in a pair of Costa Sun Glasses. Thousands of anglers, charter guides, and tournament professionals put their trust into Costa, and so should you. Here’s why…

        Costa’s co-injected bio-based nylon frame material is robust and durable, as well as extremely comfortable to wear for all-day use. TR-90 nylon is an excellent material for sports and performance frames since it is heat and cold-resistant.
        Costa builds their glasses with class-leading technology. Their 580G glass lens sets them apart from the competition. These lenses are ideal for long days on the lake or sea since you won’t have to worry about scratches on the lens when you wipe the saltwater off. Needless to say they’re Costa’s most durable lenses.

        Anyone who spends time outside, especially on the lake, needs polarized lenses. However, not all polarized sunglasses are the same. Costa is 99.9% polarized, giving it the most effective possible in blocking reflecting glare, and minimizing eye strain and headaches.

        >>Click HERE to Read The Reviews On These Costa Sunglasses Right Now!

        Landing Net

        Landing Net – As you are reeling in that monster fish, you don’t want to injure yourself or knock the fish off the hook by trying to grab it.

        The PLUSINNO floating landing net is designed with foam padding on the hoop and provides buoyancy for fishermen. Now, If the net is dropped or blown overboard, the floating design makes it simple to retrieve – so you won’t have to be concerned about losing it! The rubberized net cannot be snagged. It keeps the fish safe for catch-and-release, and the non-absorbent covering avoids waterlogging and odor absorption in the net.  It’s collapsing design allows for easy storage.

        That’s why I recommend a dependable telescopic landing net.

        >>Click HERE to Read The Reviews On This Floating Landing Net Today!

        Fishing Weight Scale & Culler

        Fishing Weight Scale – Whether you’re going to keep your catch or just take a photo of it and brag to your friends it’s important to have an accurate scale. The Rapala Tournament Model Touch Screen Scale makes weighing and logging your catch easier and more convenient. The large digital scale has a lot of functions and is easy to use. simply keep track of your current catch and its place in your overall weight. To see the weight, just suspend the catch from the heavy-duty composite clamp or the accompanying stainless steel hook.  Adding the important details to your catch couldn’t be easier – simply input your catch’s weight and tap on one of the eight storage places. The culling process makes it simple to identify fish that should be released for the greatest overall weight.

        I recommend a Rapala Tournament Scale that has a large LED display like this one fishing scale here.

        >>Click HERE to Read The Reviews on This Tournament-Grade Fishing Scale & Culling System now!

        Fishing Hat

        Wide Brim Fishing Hat – Nowadays, you have to protect yourself against the sun’s harmful rays.  That’s why I recommend the SA Straw hat. It fits any size head and it feels really comfortable.  Now you can keep the sun off your face while you enjoy your outdoor activities with UPF 50+ sun protection. Rest assured these lightweight and stylish hats give you 360-degrees of sun coverage. Both men and women can wear these hats.  As an added BONUS, these hats also include three face shields for UPF neck protection, which protects your skin from dangerous UV rays.

        This hat is well worth the money, and the craftsmanship is excellent.

        >>Click HERE to Read The Reviews On The SA Straw Hat with 360-degree Sun Coverage!

        Fishing Sun Shirt

        Sun Shirt For Fishing – Don’t stop at only getting head protection, you also need to protect your chest, back, arms, and torso. According to the researchers finding skin cancers on the shoulders and forearms rank within the top-5 locations to get skin cancer.  That’s why the UV protective PFG Fishing Shirt by Columbia is strongly recommended.

        Nowadays, it’s so important to be safe at all times. Omni-Shade helps prevent sunburns and long-term skin damage by blocking UVA and UVB radiation. UV absorbent yarns and a tight weave architecture prevent the whole spectrum of damaging UV radiation. This is the finest in outdoor moisture control technology. Omni-Wick technology absorbs moisture from the skin and transfers it to the fabric, where it spreads throughout the surface and evaporates rapidly, keeping you cool and your clothes dry.

        I’m 6’0″ and 200 pounds, and I wear size XL. I ordered a size L and it fits well. Darker shirts provide a more subdued appearance. FYI.

        >>Click HERE to Read The Reviews On The PGF Fishing Shirt with Built Cooling Technology and UV Protection today!

        Sunscreen

        Sun Screen – Skin cancer is a very real threat and it’s only getting worse. That is why you need a powerful sunscreen that is personally used and endorsed by hundreds of dermatologists from around the world. 

        That is why you should put your trust in Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen. The state-of-the-art Purescreen Technology absorbs, reflects, and scatters harmful sunrays in this specially designed water-resistant sunscreen lotion – and it’s created with 100 percent organically derived zinc oxide… it’s definitely not some test tube concoction the other competitors are trying to sell you. 

        Neutrogena’s sheer body sunscreen lotion is fragrance-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, dye-free, and chemical-free. Dry-Touch technology aids in the non-greasy drying of this thin sunscreen.

        For effective protection against the sun’s damaging rays, this hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and oil-free lightweight sunscreen is the number one dermatologist-recommended suncare brand.

        This zinc-based sunscreen lotion has received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and is mild enough for sensitive skin. It is suited for everyday use.

        >>Click HERE to Save Your Skin Before It’s Too Late!

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