Castaic Lake
Los Angeles County Bass, Trout, Catfish, Sunfish
308 Share
What's Biting - 1 week ago
Bass
Good
Striped Bass
Fair

Castaic Lake Fishing Overview

Water Description

Castaic Lake is renowned for its big largemouth bass fishing. The lake features a 2,000-acre main section and an adjoining lagoon. Both sections provide elite fishing for trophy-sized fish. Introduced with Florida-Strain bass in the 1970s, Castaic saw a major growth in both the number and size of these fish. Enormous bass weighing up to 20 pounds have been documented, with 10-plus pounders being somewhat common. It's not unlikely to hook multiple bass in the 3-5 pound range. The largemouth bite dominates the lake in spring and summer. Though...

Castaic Lake is renowned for its big largemouth bass fishing. The lake features a 2,000-acre main section and an adjoining lagoon. Both sections provide elite fishing for trophy-sized fish.

Introduced with Florida-Strain bass in the 1970s, Castaic saw a major growth in both the number and size of these fish. Enormous bass weighing up to 20 pounds have been documented, with 10-plus pounders being somewhat common. It's not unlikely to hook multiple bass in the 3-5 pound range. The largemouth bite dominates the lake in spring and summer.

Though largemouth fishing is the primary attraction, a strong population of smallmouth and a yearly stocking of rainbow trout (a major food source for the big largemouth) provide cool water action for anglers outside of the warmer months. Anglers also target stripers, channel cats, and panfish at Castaic.

Species:
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill
Stocked Date:
Trout stocked 2 months ago - View Schedule
Forage / Baitfish:
Sunfish, Trout, Crawfish
Structure / Terrain:
Coves, Docks, Dropoffs, Points, Steep Banks, Submerged Boulders/Rocks
Trophy Fish:
  • Largemouth Bass: 21 lb 12 oz - 1991
  • Striped Bass: 43 lb 1 oz
  • Channel Catfish: 47 lb 8 oz
Boating / Access:
Open to all boating
Regulations:
Quagga and Zebra Mussels Inspections
Geography:
Max Depth: 330 ft
Surface Area: 2,231 acres
Surface Elevation: 1,500 ft
Good Bass bite
Bass, Striped Bass
76°F Slightly Stained

Water temps are now in the mid-70s, and we're in summer mode. Algae has been a bit of a problem, with that green layer showing on top in the quieter parts of the lake. But there was mention of an algae treatment going in last week, so it should be clearing by now. Overall the bass bite has been good, mostly in deeper water around 20 feet. Dropshots...

Water temps are now in the mid-70s, and we're in summer mode. Algae has been a bit of a problem, with that green layer showing on top in the quieter parts of the lake. But there was mention of an algae treatment going in last week, so it should be clearing by now. Overall the bass bite has been good, mostly in deeper water around 20 feet. Dropshots and wacky-rigged C3 worms in Cinnamon and Purple Haze are reportedly the hot baits, according to guide Jim Taibi. He also mentions that once the water clarity stabilizes, the shad should push shallow and spark a better reaction bite.

For stripers, there've been sporadic boils around the lake, with a few anglers reporting fish on Chappos and jerkbaits. But nothing consistent.

Share
Excellent Bass bite
Bass, Striped Bass
64°F Clear

Conditions have been excellent at Castaic over the last couple weeks (even with the recent weekend rains). Water temps are sitting in the mid 60s, and bass action is in peak spring form. Per guide Jim Taibi, largemouth are still in one of the three phases of the spawn cycle, while smallmouth are in post-spawn but already starting to feed heavily...

Conditions have been excellent at Castaic over the last couple weeks (even with the recent weekend rains). Water temps are sitting in the mid 60s, and bass action is in peak spring form. Per guide Jim Taibi, largemouth are still in one of the three phases of the spawn cycle, while smallmouth are in post-spawn but already starting to feed heavily. Dropshot and Carolina rigged straight tail worms are working best in the warmer sections of the lake (Fish Arm). Taibi also reports wacky rigged Daiwa Neko Fat worms are working extremely well for both numbers and bigger fish.

Striper action has been inconsistent, with bait soakers getting the occasional fish. Schools are spread out and difficult to pinpoint.

8 anglers found this report useful
Share
5000 lbs (from CDWR)
TroutLocal
5000 lbs (from CDWR)
TroutLocal
5,000 pounds
TroutCA Dept of Water Resources

Nearby Reports

Stripers are really hitting right now at Pyramid. Boats are going out, pulling limits on the daily, mostly on bait. There've been a few boils here and there to throw spoons or...

Casitas is awesome right now. Bass are keying in hard on shad all over the lake, and shad imitation baits are the absolute ticket. Whether it's Flukes, Bass Trix, Karachis or...

Castaic Lake Weather

Loading Weather...
308 Share

Nearby Lakes & Rivers

136 Followers
Last report: 3 months ago
Trout, Bass, Catfish, Crappie
145 Followers
Last report: 1 month ago
Bass, Catfish, Tilapia, Carp, Sunfish
Flyfisherman background image

Join FishCaddy Free!

Get local fishing updates & receive our weekly NorCal or SoCal digest.

Sign Up