Fishing Lake Mendocino In Northern CA

AKA: Mendocino Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Mendocino Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Lake Mendocino, CA

Popular Fish Species Lake Mendocino, CA

Lake Mendocino Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Lake Mendocino offers good fishing for largemouth bass. Recently, the fishing for bass has continued to impress. Some big bass roam Lake Mendocino, thanks to excellent fisheries management by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as the availability of extensive cover for both baitfish and bass. When the bite is good, bass typically move shallow and are quite aggressive. If you find them shallow and they are not tempted to bite, slow down and use smaller, lighter baits. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Lake Mendocino on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Lake Mendocino Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

This year a healthy population of channel catfish populate the waters of Lake Mendocino, and can be found all around the lake. In Spring channel cats migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. Night fishing for channel catfish often delivers better results than fishing during the day. 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. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure in the area. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits. Flathead catfish and blue catfish also reside in the lake and fishing for them is often good as well.

Lake Mendocino Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

Black crappie reside in good numbers throughout Lake Mendocino, and they are averaging a very good size this year. Crappie fishing is excellent and they are running in sizeable schools. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. 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. White crappie, in smaller numbers, also make this lake their home.

Lake Mendocino Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

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

Loaded with a nice variety of warm-water fish species, Lake Mendocino is a 1,920 acre reservoir, located in the northwestern part of the state, at Calpella. Striped bass are the big draw here as they are caught in good size and numbers. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are also favored species. Catfish, crappie, bluegill and sunfish also swim in these waters.

Fishing report for Lake Mendocino

About 10 miles of shoreline wrap this fertile fishery. Anglers choosing to fish from the bank can find plenty of places to wet a line. Boating access is available at the North Ramp by Kyen Campground off Highway 20, and at the South Ramp off Lake Mendocino Drive. Both are excellent launch ramps with plenty of parking and rest rooms. Fishing is not permitted at the boat ramps.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Mendocino

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Mendocino Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Lake Mendocino North Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off Marina Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Lake Mendocino South Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, at the north end of the dam, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.