Thanks to the vision of the East Bay Regional Park District, this once-forgotten gravel quarry has transformed into an amazing fishery and destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Shadow Cliffs Reservoir features over 80 acres of nutrient-dense clear water, and most importantly for anglers, big fish.

The lake records at Shadow Cliffs prove this.. 18-pound rainbow trout, 16-pound largemouth bass, 39-pound channel catfish... and the list goes on.

The lake is stocked during the colder months with rainbow trout. Mostly catchable stocker-size, but some much bigger. These big stockers often avoid becoming bass food and can grow into absolute giants.

Largemouth bass at Shadow Cliffs also grow to epic proportions due to an unlimited buffet of stocker rainbow trout and sunfish. Big baits are usually the best bait during spring but don’t hesitate to throw out soft plastics throughout the warmer season.

Catfish are stocked in the warmer months, and no matter the season, there’s always a dinner meal to be caught.

Due to its proximity to the Bay Area, crowds can be an issue, especially if fishing for trout from shore. Plan your trip days and times accordingly.