Rainbow Trout Fishing in California
Top 5 lakes ranked by stocking volume
California stocks rainbow trout in 5 known waters, ranging from small impoundments to multi-thousand-acre reservoirs. The lakes below are sorted by recent stocking volume — quantity isn't everything, but it's a strong proxy for how much effort the state agency is putting into a given fishery.
About Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout are the most commonly stocked sportfish in the U.S. They're aggressive, hit a wide variety of lures and bait, and put up a spirited fight on light tackle. Hatchery-raised rainbows are typically planted at 9–11 inches and grow quickly in productive lakes.
Best seasons: spring, fall. Active water-temp range: 50–65°F.
Productive techniques
- PowerBait on a sliding sinker rig
- inline spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin)
- small spoons
- fly fishing with nymphs and dries
Top Rainbow Trout lakes in California
| Rank | Lake | County | Acres | Total stocked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bullards Bar Reservoir | Yuba | 4,810 | 41,386 |
| 2 | Don Pedro Reservoir | Tuolumne | 12,960 | 35,564 |
| 3 | Lake Almanor | Plumas | 28,000 | 22,014 |
| 4 | Folsom Lake | Sacramento | 11,450 | 8,161 |
| 5 | Lake Shasta | Shasta | 30,000 | 5,329 |
Gear for Rainbow Trout
Tackle that consistently produces. Amazon Associate links — we earn from qualifying purchases.
- rod: Ultralight 6'6" spinning rod
- reel: Light spinning reel (1000 size)
- lure: PowerBait dough
- lure: Inline spinners
- line: 4-lb fluorocarbon