Fishin' Hole
Top 10 Places to Wet a Line
Northern California is home to some of the best fishing spots in the United States. Whether you fish from a boat or the shore, with a fishing guide or on your own, or with a hook or a fly, there are countless places in the North State to catch the “big one.” Rivers, creeks and lakes galore run through our backyard, and the ocean is a hop, skip and jump away, so the opportunities are endless. Here are some of the top spots of those who voted on our online poll.
1. Shasta Lake – The most frequently caught fish on Shasta Lake are
bass and trout, but there are many other different species that inhabit
the lake.
2. Eagle Lake – Well known for its own unique strain of rainbow trout
(very hearty, thrive in the high-alkali water).
3. Ewing Reservoir – A well-kept Trinity secret, good for trout in spring and fall, a mile or two out of Hayfork.
4. Hat Creek – Renowned blue-ribbon fly fishing water, also has stretches that are planted with trout.
5. Grace Lake – Cute little lake, good chance for kids to catch bluegill and other panfish.
6. Whiskeytown Lake – Best bet is fishing deep near the dam for kokanee (landlocked silver salmon).
7. Trinity River – Great for salmon in late summer and steelhead in fall/winter.
8. Feather River – North Fork - probably best stream fishing option in Plumas County, well stocked but also has some wild rainbows.
9. Upper Sacramento River – Another well-known (like Hat Creek, fly fishers know of it throughout the U.S.) first-class trout stream. Also has a fun planted stretch through Dunsmuir.
10. McCloud River – Gorgeous scenery, lots of fish, conditions range from private reserves to Forest Service campgrounds and fly-only waters to planted sections. Hard to go wrong.