Englebright Lake, set in the foothills of Yuba and Nevada Counties, offers an excellent multispecies fishery. Anglers can target rainbow and brown trout, largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, as well as catfish.

Spring is when the fishing is best. Cooler water temps keep the crowds away and bring trout to the surface. The lake is typically stocked with 10–12 inch rainbow trout in winter, which grow quickly throughout the cold season. Trolling with flasher/night crawler rigs often lands fish in the 16–18 inch range, along with the occasional big brown trout. In fall, trolling near where the South Fork Yuba meets the lake can be highly productive.

Bass fishing is decent too, especially in late spring for smallmouth and spots. Focus on drop-offs and hard structure, but don’t expect giants—most bass here are under 2 pounds.

Summer brings weekend recreation and busyness, but the upstream area past the no-ski zone offers some peace for anglers throughout the warm season.

Shore fishing is limited, so having a boat is fairly essential to make the most of the lake’s fishing potential.