Situated along the central coast in the mountains of Monterey County, Lake San Antonio sits in a sprawling wilderness. While on the water, you may come across a variety of wildlife, including deer, bald eagles, mountain lions, wild pigs, bobcats, or even badgers.

Lake San Antonio is primarily known for its bass fishing. Abundant with both smallmouth and largemouth bass, the lake is most vibrant during the spring and summer months. While you might not find record-sized bass here, the sheer quantity more than makes up for it. The diverse lake structures, from canyons and coves to submerged willow branches, offer prime bass habitat. Fast-moving reaction lures tend to be the most effective. However, as temperatures rise, bass often retreat to deeper, cooler waters, particularly during mid-day. In such conditions, using slow-moving plastics at depths of 30-50 feet is advised.

Lake San Antonio is not just for bass fishing, as it supports stripers, channel cats, crappie, and bluegill. On warm summer days, you might even spot locals fly-fishing for hefty carp.

A solid selection of amenities are available, including marinas, campgrounds, boat launches, and RV parking. When planning a trip, beware the lake level can fluctuate considerably, which can change fishing conditions quickly.