Fishing Lake Cachuma In Central CA

AKA: Cachuma Lake, Cachuma Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Cachuma Fishing Video
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Lake Cachuma, CA

Popular Fish Species Lake Cachuma, CA

Lake Cachuma Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

A nice population of black crappie resides in Lake Cachuma. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. White crappie, in slightly fewer numbers, also make this lake their home. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Because crappie prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Lake Cachuma Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Lake Cachuma is considered a good bass fishing lake by locals and tournament anglers alike. While fishing success can vary day to day, overall it's a good bass lake. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. Anglers can also catch smallmouth bass, which reside here in decent numbers. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. A history of careful fisheries management by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has helped to maintain a good bass fishery for anglers.

Lake Cachuma Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

To fish for catfish on Lake Cachuma, most any rod and reel will work, as long as the line is strong enough. For serious catfish enthusiasts, using the right equipment improves success. A medium action, to medium-heavy action rod is ideal, in the 6' to 7' range. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits on at least 10-pound line. Use sharp hooks with bait holders on the shank, or circle hooks for live bait. Lake Cachuma has a decent population of channel catfish, and they are eager to bite. The typical fish are about 2 pounds, with larger ones caught frequently. Night fishing for catfish often delivers better results than daytime fishing. Fishing for channel catfish is often most productive around any kind of structure in the area. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin.

Lake Cachuma Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, rainbow trout, bluegill and redear sunfish at Lake Cachuma in California.

One of the top freshwater fishing lakes in Southern California, Lake Cachuma has a lot to offer visiting anglers. This is a 3,100 acre impoundment, located 18 miles northeast of Santa Barbara. Bass and trout over 10 pounds, catfish over 30 pounds, and plenty of quality fish reside here.

Shoreline fishing, kayaks, canoes and all types of boats are methods for catching fish in this popular fishery. Trout stockings during cooler months keep the trout fishing active and help some of the monster bass in Cachuma grow even bigger.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Cachuma.

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Cachuma Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NEARBY
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Cachuma Lake Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats, deck boats, canoes, kayaks and pontoons
805 688-4040

Marinas

Cachuma Lake Marina
116 136 Lakeview Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
805 688-4040

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Cachuma Lake Marina
Located mid lake, southwest side, off Lakeview Drive, this is a five-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.