Cachuma Lake Fishing Overview

Cachuma Lake, located just outside of Santa Barbara, is a beautiful and serene reservoir boasting solid bass and trout fisheries. Since the water at Cachuma is designated as drinking water, gas motors and their accompanying water sports enthusiasts are prohibited. The reduced noise and crowd pressure allow the fish to be more comfortable, and the fishing experience idyllic. For its size and proximity, Cachuma is amongst the quietest in California to fish. With healthy vegetation across the lake, areas like Cachuma Bay, Jack Rabbit Flats, and...

With healthy vegetation across the lake, areas like Cachuma Bay, Jack Rabbit Flats, and Arrowhead Island are prime for largemouth bass from the early spring to summer. The grass not only provides ideal cover, but it also attracts huge numbers of baitfish... perfect forage for these ambush predators. Smallmouth are also in abundance in Cachuma, primarily near rocky outcroppings, shelves, and deep water transitions. As the water cools during winter, slow down your presentation for both largemouth and smallmouth, and focus on deep points in the main lake.

Late fall, winter, and early spring are dominated by rainbow trout. The cooler water moves them shallower, and shore-casting can be quite productive. Summer pushes the trout deep, and boat fishing may be necessary.

There are also crappie, channel cats, and some steelhead in Cachuma.

Accommodations are convenient, with cabin and yurt rentals available, as well as RV, tent, and group camping. There is substantial shoreline access and several fishing piers. As with many California reservoirs, water levels shift often and are highly variable. Keep updated for safety and to monitor fishing conditions.

Read Less

Species:

Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Carp

Stocked Date:

Trout stocked 4 months ago - View Schedule

Structure / Terrain:

Dropoffs, Flats, Steep Banks, Weeds

Trophy Fish:

Largemouth Bass: 16 lb 7 oz
Rainbow Trout: 12.5 lb
Catfish: 32.75 lb

Boating / Access:

Open to all boating

Geography:

Max Depth: 150 ft

Surface Area: 3,100 acres

Surface Elevation: 751 ft

Fishing Reports

Log Report

Cachuma Lake

May 21

Santa Barbara County

Public

Good Crappie bite

Bass, Crappie, Bluegill

73°F Slightly Stained

The crappie action is starting to take off at Cachuma as water temps reach the low-to-mid 70s. Folks are pulling in nice double-digit crappie stringers fishing the narrows with mini-jigs, targeting submerged brush or using sonar to find structure in 10–20 feet of water. Even though recent reports are good, Cachuma can always be finicky when it...

The bass bite has been consistent on finesse stuff. Ned rigs, Senkos, and drop shots are pulling 1–2 pound fish on average. During those foggy mornings, the bass are pushing up much shallower and into a more aggressive feeding pattern. Finesse can still work, but small crankbaits or spinnerbaits run near shallow brush or hard structure have been producing better quality fish... up to 4 pounds.

Bluegill are starting to school up as well, which is a good sign for panfish anglers heading into the warmer months.

Read Less

4 anglers found this report useful

Cachuma Lake

Mar 3

Santa Barbara County

Public

Good Trout bite

Trout, Bass

58°F Slightly Stained

Cachuma has been kicking out very good trout action since the 5,000-pound Lassen plant on January 26. Folks are still getting limits of smaller rainbows on PowerBait, while others are targeting the larger fish, some pushing 8 pounds, with mini jigs, nightcrawlers, and micro crankbaits. Bass fishing has stayed quiet most of the winter, with sluggish...

Bass fishing has stayed quiet most of the winter, with sluggish fish holding in deeper water. Over the past couple of weeks, though, rising water temps have started pulling fish shallow. Smallmouth are beginning to position near spawning areas, and largemouth are easing into fresh cover (plenty of it with water levels so high). Senkos and Ned rigs are doing most of the work right now, but the real prespawn bite should unlock here in the coming weeks.

Read Less

8 anglers found this report useful