Fishing Lake Oroville In Northern CA

AKA: Oroville Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Oroville Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Lake Oroville, CA

Popular Fish Species Lake Oroville, CA

Lake Oroville Popular Fish - Spotted Bass

Spotted Bass Fishing

Lake Oroville is considered by many to be the top bass lake in the state. It is home to many local, state and national bass tournaments annually. Spotted bass are are a favorite of many locals. Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass also reside here in decent numbers. Spots and 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 Oroville, 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.

Lake Oroville Popular Fish - Chinook Salmon

Chinook Salmon Fishing

Chinook Salmon, like all Pacific salmon, die after spawning. Fishing for salmon can allow anglers the opportunity to catch large specimens. They grow large and put up a great fight when hooked. Chinook Salmon have been stocked in Lake Oroville for many years. Fish for chinook with down riggers to troll around the thermocline. Use flashers, trailed with bait for best results. The current California state record for chinook salmon stands at over 80 pounds. Chinook salmon are also known as king salmon.

Crappie Fishing

Crappie anglers can fish for both black crappie and white crappie at Lake Oroville. 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 20 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 Oroville Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, redeye bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, chinook salmon, coho salmon and white sturgeon at Lake Oroville in California.

With one of the broadest range of fish species in California, Lake Oroville has much to offer anglers with varied interests. This is a 15,800 acre lake, located in the north-central part of the state in Butte County. Fluctuating water levels often has an impact on the fishery, both positive and negative.

When the levels are stable the fishing can be quite good. As one of the top bass fishing lakes in CA, it is host to plenty of bass fishing tournaments annually. In addition to big bass, there are quality crappie, catfish, trout and salmon swimming these waters. Fishing from shore, kayaks and other fishing boats are all options. There is a marina, boat rentals, public boat launches and plenty of camping options.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Oroville.

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Oroville Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Bidwell Canyon Marina
Rentals: Kayaks and pontoon boats
530 589-9175

Lime Saddle Marina
Rentals: Kayaks and pontoons
530 877-2883

Marinas

Bidwell Canyon Marina
801 Bidwell Canyon Rd
Oroville, CA 95966
530 589-9175

Lime Saddle Marina
3428 Pentz Rd
Paradise, CA 95969
530 877-2883

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Bidwell Canyon Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off Bidwell Canyon Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Enterprise Boat Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off Rocky Point Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Loafer Creek Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off Loafer Creek Road, this is a multi-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Oroville Dam Boat Launch
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off Orville Dam Road, this is a multi-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Stringtown Car-top Boat Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off Stringtown Road, this is a portage area with paved parking.