Los Vaqueros Reservoir
Contra Costa County Bass, Trout, Crappie, Catfish, Salmon
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Los Vaqueros Reservoir Bite Meter

2 days ago
Striped Bass
Good
Trout
Excellent
Bass
Good

Los Vaqueros Reservoir Fishing Overview

Water Description

Los Vaqueros Reservoir, located just outside the metropolitan Bay Area, is a relatively new reservoir created in 1998 aimed at supplying drinking water to Northern California. Despite its urban proximity, the reservoir offers a slice of the wild. Visitors can often spot diverse wildlife, from deer and wild boar to soaring eagles and hawks. Los Vaqueros Reservoir boasts a noteworthy striped bass population, which is particularly active during the spring and summer months, with catches ranging from 5-10 pounds with an occasional 30-plus pound...

Los Vaqueros Reservoir, located just outside the metropolitan Bay Area, is a relatively new reservoir created in 1998 aimed at supplying drinking water to Northern California. Despite its urban proximity, the reservoir offers a slice of the wild. Visitors can often spot diverse wildlife, from deer and wild boar to soaring eagles and hawks.

Los Vaqueros Reservoir boasts a noteworthy striped bass population, which is particularly active during the spring and summer months, with catches ranging from 5-10 pounds with an occasional 30-plus pound giant. The many coves of Los Vaqueros, filled with submerged brush, are perfect hideouts not just for stripers but also a decent population of largemouth bass.

Beyond bass, the reservoir gets a healthy stocking of rainbow trout annually. During the colder months, both trolling and shoreline angling can yield solid results, with a few 10 pounders making headlines each year.

Given its role as a drinking water source, the reservoir operates under tight regulations to ensure the protection of the water and the surrounding environment. Only rental boats from the marina are allowed, with personal watercrafts being off-limits. Furthermore, the reservoir is only open during designated hours, which are updated regularly by the Contra Costa Water District.

Species:
Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Catfish, King Salmon, Kokanee Salmon
Stocked Date:
Trout stocked 3 weeks ago - View Schedule
Trophy Fish:
  • Largemouth Bass: 12 lb (2008)
  • Striped Bass: 45.2 lb (2009)
  • Rainbow Trout: 16.42 lb (2015)
  • Chinook Salmon: 6.2 lb (2010)
  • Catfish: 30.31 lb (2011)
Boating / Access:
Boat rentals onsite only. No outside boats allowed, including non-motorized crafts.
Geography:
Max Depth: 170 ft
Surface Area: 1,400 acres
Surface Elevation: 524 ft
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Latest Fishing Reports

Good Striped Bass bite
Trout, Bass, Striped Bass
62°F Clear

The bass bite is rolling at Los Vaqueros, with largemouth pushing shallow in the backs of coves. Jerkbaits have reportedly been catching fish — nothing huge though, with the biggest up to 3.5 lbs. Expect the bite to only improve as water temps increase. Stripers are starting to show more consistently now. Anchovies are pulling a few from shore, but...

The bass bite is rolling at Los Vaqueros, with largemouth pushing shallow in the backs of coves. Jerkbaits have reportedly been catching fish — nothing huge though, with the biggest up to 3.5 lbs. Expect the bite to only improve as water temps increase.

Stripers are starting to show more consistently now. Anchovies are pulling a few from shore, but most of the action is coming on shad-patterned plugs out in open water.

Trout fishing is good for both boaters and shore casters. Mice Tails and PowerBait are working well, although trolling deeper with spoons is producing bigger fish. The bite should hold with more plants expected this month.

Water’s clear, temps are rising, and the fishing’s picking up across the board.

3 anglers found this report useful
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Good Trout bite
Trout, Bass, Striped Bass, Catfish
55°F Slightly Stained

Los Vaqueros has been dishing out a decent bite for both trout and stripers. Trolling has been the most productive for trout, especially in Howden and East coves, where they’re hitting Kastmasters and Rapalas running just below the surface. The afternoon bite has been the best, with some quality Mt. Lassen rainbows showing up among the smaller CDFW...

Los Vaqueros has been dishing out a decent bite for both trout and stripers. Trolling has been the most productive for trout, especially in Howden and East coves, where they’re hitting Kastmasters and Rapalas running just below the surface. The afternoon bite has been the best, with some quality Mt. Lassen rainbows showing up among the smaller CDFW stockers. Shore anglers are hooking trout on PowerBait, nightcrawlers, and small jigs. Stripers and catfish are biting anchovies near South Cove and the marina pier. A few smaller largemouth were picked up last week in the shallows. The bass bite will only get better as the water temp warms.

Water clarity is improving, surface temps are around 55 degrees, and while trout plants are on hold until golden mussel regulations are in place, the lake has already received over 20,000 pounds of stocked fish this season—so there’s still plenty fish for.

9 anglers found this report useful
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Latest Stockings

Trout Local
2,000 pounds
Trout Local
Trout Local

Other Nearby Reports

The trout action continues to be very good, with a fresh 1,000-pound plant of Lassen rainbows and lightning trout dropped in last week, and more plants are expected throughout...

Lake Chabot’s trout bite is picking up steam after a recent plant of Lassen and lightning trout. It’s still not on fire, but patient anglers tossing Mice Tails or soaking...

Los Vaqueros Reservoir Weather

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Guides & Tackle Shops

Los Vaqueros Reservoir Map

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