Fishing Lake Camanche In Central CA

AKA: Camanche Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Camanche Fishing Video
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Lake Camanche, CA

Popular Fish Species Lake Camanche, CA

Crappie Fishing

Crappie anglers can fish for both black crappie and white crappie at Lake Camanche. These two species tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may catch both species, as they often use the same cover. For best results when fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key, especially when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. This is a good place to catch quantities of nice, fat slabs. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. 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, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Lake Camanche Popular Fish - Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout Fishing

Fishing for rainbow trout at Lake Camanche can be effective using worms, salmon eggs, prepared baits, small spinners, spoons, jerkbaits and small crankbaits in vibrant colors to mimic prey. Use the lightest fishing line for the best possible results, based on conditions. Annual stocking has helped to maintain a good population of rainbow trout. While fishing from a boat is often the preferred method, plenty of trout are caught here by anglers fishing from the bank. Additionally, floating or sinking flies, such as nymphs, streamers, or dry flies, are popular choices for fly anglers targeting rainbow trout. Trolling with lures or flies behind a boat, casting near shoreline structures, or still fishing with bait can all yield success. Adjusting lure size, color, and retrieve speed can enhance chances of enticing these colorful and spirited fish.

Lake Camanche Popular Fish - Spotted Bass

Spotted Bass Fishing

Spotted bass are often found in small schools on steep banks, around rocky or sandy shorelines, points and ledges. They often prefer hanging out in slightly deeper water than largemouths. Here at Lake Camanche, they are a favorite of many local anglers, as they are plentiful and put up a good tussle when hooked. Fishing for spotted bass can be good anytime you can locate them. Their diet consists mainly of crayfish and insects, but they also eat small baitfish, small sunfish and small bluegill. Most of the time, spots prefer to stage on steep rocky or gravel banks, and may move up and down the water column throughout the day. When shallow, use topwater or shallow crankbaits around rip rap. When they are deep, use drop-shot worms and jigs. Throughout winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass also reside here in decent numbers.

Lake Camanche Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, white catfish, black crappie, white crappie, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, green sunfish, redear sunfish and kokanee salmon at Lake Camanche in California.

Spotted bass are the featured prize here at Lake Camanche, aka Camanche Reservoir. This is a 7,700 acre lake, located in the central part of the state in Amador, Calaveras, and San Joaquin County. The lake boasts nice populations of bass, catfish, crappie, trout, sunfish and salmon.

There is a daily fee required to fish the lake, available at either Rec Area. Strewn with islands, and boulders, the lake offers excellent cover for predator fish. This is a structure fishing haven. While most fishing is conducted from boats and kayaks, there is sufficient opportunity for shoreline fishing.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Camanche.

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Camanche Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

South Shore Lake Camanche Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats, patio boats and bass boats
209 763-5121

Marinas

South Shore Lake Camanche Marina
Pattison Rd
Wallace, CA 95254
209 763-5121

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

North Shore Lake Camanche Marina Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Camanche Road, this is a five-lane, concrete ramp with docks and plenty of paved parking.

South Shore Lake Camanche Marina Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Camanche Road, this is a five-lane, concrete ramp with docks and plenty of paved parking.