Lake Perris
Riverside County Trout, Bass, Catfish, Crappie
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What's Biting - 1 week ago
Bluegill
Hot
Bass
Fair
Carp
Excellent

Lake Perris Fishing Overview

Water Description

Lake Perris was once famed for its impressive spotted bass population, boasting several line-class world records. However, over the last decade, the number of spotted bass has dropped substantially. Today, Perris is primarily known for its elite largemouth bass and panfish fishery. The lake’s record for largemouth bass stands at an astounding 17 pounds, 6 ounces, although many neighboring SoCal lakes boast records of similar size. Spring and fall are the best times to target these giants. Perris is stocked annually with trout in the winter, and...

Lake Perris was once famed for its impressive spotted bass population, boasting several line-class world records. However, over the last decade, the number of spotted bass has dropped substantially. Today, Perris is primarily known for its elite largemouth bass and panfish fishery.

The lake’s record for largemouth bass stands at an astounding 17 pounds, 6 ounces, although many neighboring SoCal lakes boast records of similar size. Spring and fall are the best times to target these giants. Perris is stocked annually with trout in the winter, and in spring, the largest bass begin targeting these stockers. Big trout imitation swimbaits can offer the ultimate opportunity to land one of these trophies.

As mentioned, Lake Perris is also home to a healthy population of rainbow trout, regularly stocked by the CDFW. These trout provide good action for both trollers and shoreline bait dunkers during the cooler months when bass fishing slows.

Giant bluegill and coppernose sunfish are another big draw, especially in the warmer months. These fish put up a surprisingly good fight and are extremely fun to catch on light gear.

It’s worth noting that the lake becomes a hotspot for water-skiers during the summer and early fall. The combination of busy recreation and summer heat drives many anglers to fish during the early or late hours of the warmer seasons.

Species:
Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Channel Catfish
Stocked Species:
Trout
Forage / Baitfish:
Crawfish, Threadfin Shad
Trophy Fish:
  • Largemouth Bass: 17 lb 6 oz
  • Spotted Bass: 9 lb 4.5 oz
  • Catfish: 30 lb
  • Rainbow Trout: 7 lb
  • Bluegill: 3 lb 15 oz
Boating / Access:
Open to all boating
Geography:
Max Depth: 85 ft
Surface Area: 2,250 acres
Surface Elevation: 1,563 ft
Hot Bluegill bite
Bass, Carp, Bluegill
78°F Slightly Stained

Water temps are now in the high 70s at Perris, and summer mode is starting to settle in. Bass are still biting, but not in the numbers we saw a month ago. Overall, it's either mornings, evenings, or finesse. The morning bite has been good shallow on reaction stuff... topwater walking baits, Rapalas, and crankbaits. But after 10am, Senkos...

Water temps are now in the high 70s at Perris, and summer mode is starting to settle in. Bass are still biting, but not in the numbers we saw a month ago. Overall, it's either mornings, evenings, or finesse. The morning bite has been good shallow on reaction stuff... topwater walking baits, Rapalas, and crankbaits. But after 10am, Senkos (watermelon), dropshots, and T-rigged straight-tail worms (green pumpkin) have been best in 10–20 feet of water. It's been mostly smaller fish, but reports of an 8 and 6 pounder came in last week.

The most impressive action at Perris lately, though, has been huge bluegill. Giant, beautifully dark-colored, hand-sized bluegill are being caught on Kastmasters, grubs, and even small crankbaits. Red worms are always a go-to for panfish here as well.

If you're into carp, folks are getting into an excellent bite launching corn or cornmeal dough as far as they can off beach areas around the lake.

3 anglers found this report useful
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Good Bass bite
Largemouth Bass
66°F Mixed

Perris had an awesome early spawn season for both size and numbers. Most fish are now off beds and easing into a more lethargic post-spawn period... but that doesn't mean the fishing has fallen off, it's just transitioned. There's still good action shallow on finesse worms (drop shots, t-rigged) around weeds and tree lines. Many boat guys have also...

Perris had an awesome early spawn season for both size and numbers. Most fish are now off beds and easing into a more lethargic post-spawn period... but that doesn't mean the fishing has fallen off, it's just transitioned. There's still good action shallow on finesse worms (drop shots, t-rigged) around weeds and tree lines. Many boat guys have also been targeting big fish deeper, in 15–20 feet of water on jigs and heavier weight soft plastics. Sonar is absolutely helpful for spotting deep structure and rock. Reports of a 9+ pounder came out of Perris fishing this way.

Water temps are hoving in the mid 60s after the recent cold spell, but should jump over the next week. Algae is still an issue, although improving. Some spots are seeing really clear water.

6 anglers found this report useful
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Nearby Reports

Diamond Valley has been serving up a very good bite for both largies and stripers. Water temps are now hovering around 76 degrees, and algae still lines much of the shorelines...

Was stocked with trout last month for boy scout and girl scout troops. Forestry show up sponsored event and even smokey the bear showed up. Over 2000 kids and families fishing...

Lake Perris Weather

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