Shadow Cliffs Reservoir Fishing Overview

Thanks to the vision of the East Bay Regional Park District, this once-forgotten gravel pit has been reborn as a thriving fishery. Shadow Cliffs Reservoir spans over 80 acres of clear, nutrient-rich water... and more importantly for anglers, it holds big fish. The lake’s records speak for themselves: 18-pound rainbow trout, 16-pound largemouth bass, 39-pound channel catfish. 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...

The lake’s records speak for themselves: 18-pound rainbow trout, 16-pound largemouth bass, 39-pound channel catfish.

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 here get massive, feeding on an endless supply of trout and sunfish. Spring is prime time for big baits, but soft plastics work as well through the warmer months. Catfish also get stocked during the summer.

Being so close to the Bay Area, it gets crowded... especially for shore anglers chasing trout

Read Less

Species:

Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill

Stocked Date:

Trout stocked 1 month ago - View Schedule

Boating / Access:

Elector motors are okay. Kayaks and canoes okay. No gas motors. Rentals available. Boating is not allowed in the Arroyo areas

Geography:

Surface Area: 80 acres

Surface Elevation: 300 ft

Fishing Reports

Log Report

Shadow Cliffs Reservoir

Mar 20

Alameda County

Public

Hot Trout bite

Trout, Bass

Clear

Lassen stocks have been constant over the last few weeks at Shadow Cliffs, and anglers are pulling quality limits all over the lake. Spoons and jigs are working well in the morning, then PowerBait in the afternoon. Plenty of 2–3 pound fish, with some running bigger. Water clarity is excellent… drop-offs and deeper zones are easier to spot from...

The warm weather has bass finally pushing into the shallows. Most are cruising and actively feeding, though a few early fish are already on beds. Crawfish and creature-style soft plastics are getting hit hard. Drop-shots are picking up smaller fish. Trout anglers are also hooking into a few bass on Panther Martins and Rooster Tails. Size has been modest, with most fish in the 1–2 pound range, but the big pre-spawn females should be moving up soon.

Read Less

7 anglers found this report useful

2 Comments