Lake Cachuma, California - Reports, Lake Info, Pictures

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Ice House Reservoir - We camped for a week at Strawberry Point and caught our limits almost every day. Both Browns & Rainbows - power bait during the day and worms/ma... Continued

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Description:

Lake Cachuma is a Reservoir in Santa Barbara, California.

Have you fished Lake Cachuma? Help your fellow anglers out by giving a fishing report, some fishing tips or general information about Lake Cachuma.

Do you have a question about Lake Cachuma, ask it here.

Lake Cachuma is an artificial lake located in central Santa Barbara County, California on the Santa Ynez River. It is formed by Bradbury Dam, a 201 foot (61 m) earth-fill dam built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1953. At capacity it can hold 205,000 acre-feet (253,000,000 m³) and has a surface area of 3,100 acres (13 km2).

Fishing Description:

During normal (non-drought) years, it supports large populations of large mouth and small mouth bass, crappie, bluegill, red-ear sunfish, channel catfish, and rainbow trout.

Fishing Cover / Structure:

Lake Cachuma is one of Southern California's finest fishing lakes because of the lake-bottom topography of rocky drop-offs, shallow areas, and aquatic plant beds -- all great habitat for different kinds of fish.

Fishing Tips, Tactics, How-To info:

Trout
Bait fishing, trolling, or casting artificial lures are methods used for catching rainbow trout. Trout from 12-21 inches are frequently caught.

Salmon eggs: Use a single size 14-16 salmon egg hook with an egg sinker on a 4-6 pound test line; attach a swivel to the line, and use a leader of 2 pound test.

Cheese and egg combo: Again use 4-6 pound test line, sinker, and swivel. Attach a leader to two hooks; an egg hook and a treble baited with cheese.

Floating night crawler rig: Use the same setup as above except use a size 6-8 hook baited with an inflated night crawler.

Trolling: Use a lead core line with a 6-8 pound test leader approximately six feet long, and one of the following lures: Needlefish, Castmaster, Wobble-rite.

Bass
A fisherman can catch large mouth bass at Cachuma in many different ways. During the spawning season (April, May, June) casting artificial lures such as Jitterbugs, Hula Poppers, and Rebel Rattlers in the shallows is very productive. In summer, fall, and winter, when fish move into deeper waters, success can be found using many deep water jigs such as Pig and Jigs, or lead-headed plastic worms. Crawdads and night crawlers are probably best for bait fishermen.

Small mouth bass preceded large mouth bass into the shallows for spawning. White, silver, or gold lures or spoons cast parallel to drop offs, or parallel to the shore on points, will often produce exciting strikes. When small mouth bass begin to spawn (March, April, May) crawdads seem to be the best bait.

Catfish
Cachuma Lake is well known for large catfish; the record fish is 32 3/4 pounds! These fish can be taken in the back of coves and near inlets. Use mackerel, with a large hook of 1 to 3-0, and 10 to 20 pound line.

Crappie
When fishing for crappie in the spring, look for them among snags in the water. Use white, yellow, or silver and red microjigs, light lines of 4-6 pound test, and light action rods. Cast microjigs to obstructions. After allowing the jig to sink, quickly lift the rod tip over it, and retrieve line repeatedly.

Facilities and Parks:

Tent, Trailer and RV Camping - (All single family campsites are first-come first-serve) More than 420 campsites, 90 with full electrical, water and sewer hookups, and 38 with electrical and water hookups, can accommodate any size tent or RV. Each campsite contains a picnic table and BBQ pit, with showers, restrooms and water nearby. An RV dump station is also available.

Yurt Camping

Yurts provide a camping experience with homey comforts. A cross between a tent and tepee, the yurts at Cachuma Lake feature platform beds to sleep 5 to 6, lockable door, inside lighting and heating, and screened windows in the wood and fabric siding. Set on the bluff with access to the lakeshore, the view is spectacular.
Currently there are only 3 Yurts at Cachuma Lake, which may be reserved year-round up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $60-$70 per night depending on yurt size and season. A non-refundable $15 reservation fee will also be charged, and all reservations must be secured with a credit card. There is a 2-night minimum stay for weekends, and a 3-night minimum stay for all major holidays. For yurt information and reservations call (805) 686-5050 Monday through Friday, 10 am - 3 pm.

NEW Cabin Rentals at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

Reservations can now be made for an alternative-style camping experience at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. Central Coast Cabins offers private and convenient accommodations with three one-bedroom cabins and a new two-bedroom cabin all equipped with electricity, full bathrooms, kitchenettes, living rooms, private porches, picnic tables and fire pits. For your convenience, kitchenettes are fully equipped for cooking and serving. Simply pack your sleeping bags/bedding, pillows, towels/toiletries and groceries. Your effortless vacation begins the moment you arrive at your cabin.

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