Fishing at Castaic Lake
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Latest Castaic Lake Report
The Department of Fish and Game Stocked the Main Ramp with 1500 lbs on Friday May 6th. The trout bite has been pretty good all weekend but probab... Continued
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Castaic Lake is a Reservoir in Los Angeles, California.
Do you have a question about Castaic Lake, ask it here.
Castaic Lake is a lake on Castaic Creek formed by Castaic Dam, in northwestern Los Angeles County, California, near the town of Castaic. The 323,700 acre foot lake (399,000,000 m³) with a surface elevation of approximately 1,500 feet (460 m) above sea level is the terminus of the West Branch of the California Aqueduct, though some comes from the 154 mi² (399 km²) watershed above the dam. The aqueduct water comes from Pyramid Lake through a pipeline and is used to power Castaic Power Plant, on the northern end of the lake. In addition, the lake is the lower reservoir in a pumped-storage hydroelectric system. Water is pumped back up to Pyramid Lake at night, when electricity demand and cost is low. During the day, when prices and demand are high, the water is let back down. Water from the lake is distributed throughout the northern portion of the Greater Los Angeles Area. Some water is released into Castaic Lagoon below the dam, which drains into Castaic Creek. The creek flows south until it meets the Santa Clara River, a few miles west of Santa Clarita.
Castaic Lake is a "de facto" replacement reservoir for the St. Francis Dam, which was located in San Francisquito Canyon, the next canyon to the east. The St. Francis Dam collapsed due to a geologic fault in 1928, and the resulting flood killed over 400 people in the Santa Clara River Valley.
Winds on the upper lake move nutrients towards the dam, where fish look for food. Fishing from the dam is allowed.
Lures that resemble trout catch Striped Bass.
Cast near shady areas on sunny days.
Cast in deeper waters on colder days in places with no shade.
Rock piles, docks, reeds and submerged trees are favorite “hang-out” locations for most fish.
“The drop-off” between shallow and deep water is often populated by fish.
The most popular lures are trout or shad imitations, and work well for both Striper and Large Mouth bass.
Bass prefer water that is 60 to 75 degrees. If it is warmer or colder, bass will move to deeper water.
Cut bait such as anchoivies, sardines, marcerel, and frozen chad also work well, when the fishing slows down.
Night Crawlers are a good go to bait for those who "bait and wait" as well.
Castaic Lake’s water temperature ranges from low 50’s in the winter to upper 70’s in the summer.
In the spring and fall, fish in the shallow coves.
During the summer and winter seasons, fish in deeper water.
Area amenities include fishing, picnicking, camping, non-gasoline powered boating and swimming (seasonal). The East Side Lagoon offers anglers 24-hour shoreline fishing. A 60-site campground will accommodate campers, trailers, RV’s and tents. No hookups are available. The two-lane launch ramp is utilized by canoes, sailboats/boards, kayaks, float tubes and vessels with trolling motors. The West Side Lagoon, in addition to being the location of seasonal swim beaches, boasts a large number of picnic areas. Hiking, biking and equestrian trails are also easily accessible.
Castaic Landings - Boat Rentals & Fishing Supplies
Located at the Upper Lake Main Launch Ramp on Lake Hughes Rd., you may Rental an aluminum boat or purchase fishing supplies
Rental Office: (661) 775-6232
Castaic Lake has a 24 hour fishing area with a fish cleaning station located off the Lake Hughes Rd. lower lake campground entrance. Parking is free, except during park hours. Fishing OUTSIDE OF PARK HOURS in any other location, unless otherwise permitted, is PROHIBITED.
From Los Angeles:
1. Take the 5 freeway north past Magic Mountain
2. Exit Lake Hughes Road.
3. Turn Right on Lake Hughes Road at the bottom of the off ramp.
4. Continue on Lake Hughes Road, you will pass the lower lake (on the left) as you proceed up the hill approximately 1 mile then turn left at the main marina sign.
California - Castaic Lake Fishing Report
The Department of Fish and Game Stocked the Main Ramp with 1500 lbs on Friday May 6th. The trout bite has been pretty good all weekend but probably wo... Continued
California - Castaic Lake Fishing Report
Fishing at the upper lake is picking up slowly but lower lagoon is still off the hook. Largies at the lagoon are very active hitting small swimbaits a... Continued
Solar Lunar Best Fishing Times - Castaic Lake, California
Castaic Lake, California - Solar Lunar Chart - February 8, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waning Gibbous | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 6:47 Transit 12:08 Set 17:30 | Fish Major Periods 0:00 - 0:00 8:22 - 10:52 | Activity Minor Periods 6:27 - 7:57 18:19 - 19:49 | Day Rating |
Castaic Lake, California - Solar Lunar Chart - February 9, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waning Gibbous | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 6:46 Transit 12:08 Set 17:31 | Fish Major Periods 0:44 - 3:14 9:13 - 11:43 | Activity Minor Periods 7:02 - 8:32 19:26 - 20:56 | Day Rating |
Castaic Lake, California - Solar Lunar Chart - February 10, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waning Gibbous | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 6:45 Transit 12:08 Set 17:32 | Fish Major Periods 1:35 - 4:05 10:03 - 12:33 | Activity Minor Periods 7:37 - 9:07 20:33 - 22:03 | Day Rating |
Castaic Lake, California - Solar Lunar Chart - February 11, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waning Gibbous | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 6:44 Transit 12:08 Set 17:33 | Fish Major Periods 2:26 - 4:56 10:55 - 13:25 | Activity Minor Periods 8:14 - 9:44 21:41 - 23:11 | Day Rating |
Castaic Lake, California - Solar Lunar Chart - February 12, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waning Gibbous | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 6:43 Transit 12:08 Set 17:34 | Fish Major Periods 3:19 - 5:49 11:49 - 14:19 | Activity Minor Periods 8:52 - 10:22 0:00 - 0:00 | Day Rating |
Businesses Located Near Castaic Lake
Bait and Tackle
- Action Fishing Tackle
- 15338 Chatsworth St
- Mission Hills, California
- (818) 898-2177
- Best Bait & Tackle
- 4915 W Rosecrans Ave
- Hawthorne, California
- (310) 679-1122
- Channel Islands Sport Fishing
- 4151 Victoria Ave
- Oxnard, California
- (805) 382-1612
Boating
- Casitas Boat Rentals
- 11311 Santa Ana Rd
- Ventura, California
- (805) 649-2043
- Castaic Boat & Marine LLC
- 30517 The Old Rd
- Castaic, California
- (661) 257-4140
- Castaic Landing Boat Rentals
- 32132 Ridge Route Rd
- Val Verde, California
- (661) 775-6232
Fishing Guides
- Buckley's Big Bass Guide Service
- 27512 Onyx Ln
- Castaic, California
- (661) 257-0198
- Del Mar Sport Fishing
- Manhattan Beach, California
- (310) 372-3712
- Marina Del Rey Sportfishing
- 13759 Fiji Way
- Marina del Rey, California
- (310) 822-3625
Real Estate
- Burris, Mark REALTOR - M9 Realty Team
- P.O. Box 1489
- Monrovia, California
- (626) 940-6336
- Classic Real Estate Incorporated
- 28097 Smyth Dr
- Valencia, California
- (661) 414-8400
- Fran and Rowena - Dilbeck Realtors
- 1030 Foothill Blvd
- La Canada Flintridge, California
- (818) 952-0077
Lodging
- 5 Star Luxury on Sunset Strip Vacation Rentals
- 7970 W Sunset Blvd
- Los Angeles, California
- (917) 687-4044
- Dugan, Shawn - Beach Cities Real Estate Agents & Vacatio
- Manhattan Beach, California
- (310) 265-3428
- Luxurious Golf Course Living Vacation Rentals
- 1590 Ramona Dr
- Camarillo, California
- (619) 993-1138


































