Fishing Lake Elsinore In Southern CA

Popular Fish Species
Lake Elsinore Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
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Lake Elsinore, CA

Popular Fish Species Lake Elsinore, CA

Lake Elsinore Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

To fish for catfish on Lake Elsinore, 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 Elsinore 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.

Crappie Fishing

Crappie anglers can fish for both black crappie and white crappie at Lake Elsinore. 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.

Bluegill Fishing

Fishing for bluegill is a time-honored tradition at Lake Elsinore. Young and old, beginners and seasoned anglers alike, all enjoy catching a bunch of fat bluegill. This year, much like recent years, the bluegill population is healthy and always looking for something to eat. Bluegill fishing is as basic as fishing gets. Any pole, reasonably small line and small hooks baited with anything edible, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Bluegill hang around brush, rocks, vegetation or any cover available.

Lake Elsinore Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, white catfish, black crappie, rainbow trout, bluegill, green sunfish, redear sunfish and striped bass at Lake Elsinore in California.

At over 3,300 surface acres it is Southern California's largest freshwater lake. Is a getaway for a wide variety of outdoor and water sports. Lake Elsinore is surrounded by the town with multiple access points for boating, swimming, picnicking and walks along the shore.

Fishing At Lake Elsinore

Whether fishing from a boat or from shore, you have the opportunity to catch bass, crappie, bluegill, wipers and catfish. Fishing has improved with the addition of artificial structure and fish stockings. Plenty of bass over five pounds are showing up. Visit the California bass fishing page for tips and techniques for catching these quality bass.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Elsinore.

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Elsinore Amenities

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

Lake Elsinore Fishing Reports, Forums & Blogs

Weekly fishing reports and photos.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Average high and average low, monthly temperatures at Lake Elsinore.

January 66° - 39°
February 68° - 41°
March 72° - 43°
April 77° - 47°
May 84° - 52°
June 91° - 57°
July 98° - 62°
August 98° - 66°
September 94° - 59°
October 83° - 52°
November 73° - 44°
December 66° - 38°

Marinas

Lake Elsinore Marina & RV Resort
32700 Riverside Dr Lot #117
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
800 328-6844

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

SeaPort Boat Launch
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off Lakeshore Drive, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. - 951 245-9308

Launch Pointe Recreation Destination Boat Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, off Riverside Drive, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

La Laguna Resort & Boat Launch - 951 471-1212