39 public waters in the North Coast & Klamath region — 7 lakes/reservoirs and 32 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a California licence.
See every public fishing venue in California on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
In Humboldt County, California, Stone Lagoon is a 629-acre lake, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Freshwater Lagoon (230 acres) sits in Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Fish Lake (40 acres) sits in Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. A Sierra-foothill or Coast-Range reservoir — California's bread-and-butter bass water: spotted, largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, stocked Rainbow Trout in the cool months, landlocked King (Chinook) salmon or Kokanee on many, plus Channel Catfish, Black Crappie and Bluegill.
Humboldt County, California — Freshwater Lagoon Lake is a 40-acre lake, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: A CDFW-stocked urban or park lake — Rainbow Trout planted through the cool months and Channel Catfish in summer, with resident Largemouth Bass and Bluegill; many are in the regional-park systems around Los Angeles, the Bay Area and Sacramento.
Essex Pond (25 acres) sits in Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Humboldt County, California — South Oxidation Pond is a 25-acre lake, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Humboldt County, California — North Oxidation Pond is a 18-acre lake, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Eel River runs through Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: A California coastal river (the Smith, Klamath, Trinity, Eel, Russian) — fall and spring King Salmon, winter and Summer Steelhead, Coho Salmon on the north-coast rivers, and sea-run Coastal Cutthroat Trout on the Smith; low-flow closures and quotas are common.
In Trinity and Humboldt Counties, California, Trinity River is a 237 km river or creek, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. A California coastal river (the Smith, Klamath, Trinity, Eel, Russian) — fall and spring King Salmon, winter and Summer Steelhead, Coho Salmon on the north-coast rivers, and sea-run Coastal Cutthroat Trout on the Smith; low-flow closures and quotas are common.
Redwood Creek supports steelhead and coho salmon, but extensive upper-watershed logging has filled spawning pools with sediment, and Army Corps channelization of the lower 3.4 miles after 1955/1964 flooding further degraded coldwater habitat -- a fishery facing real conservation challenges rather than a thriving recreational destination.
Bull Creek runs 24 km through Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Maple Creek (28 km) flows through Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Del Norte and Humboldt Counties, California, Blue Creek is a 40 km river or creek, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Grouse Creek (26 km) flows through Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Humboldt County, California — Telegraph Creek is a 21 km stream, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Del Norte and Humboldt Counties, California, Bluff Creek is a 41 km river or creek, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Red Cap Creek runs 34 km through Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Humboldt County, California — Tectah Creek is a 24 km stream, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Humboldt County, California — Prairie Creek is a 21 km stream, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Humboldt County, California, Horse Linto Creek is a 32 km river or creek, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
The South Fork Trinity is known for its king salmon and steelhead runs, with occasional coho salmon and sea-run brown trout. Pre-1964-flood spring chinook runs were estimated as high as 10,000 fish, collapsing to as few as 345-2,460 annually by 1990 after the flood and decades of logging/mining siltation; runs have since partly recovered to 2,000-4,000 fish, though water diversions, downstream Klamath pollution and illegal netting remain ongoing pressures.
The Trinity is regarded as one of the best steelhead streams in the western US, holding both wild and hatchery fish. Pre-dam fall Chinook runs ran 19,000-75,500 fish with spring Chinook and coho each around 10,000 and steelhead around 50,000, but the annual Chinook run has dropped nearly 80% since the 1950s; a 2002 fish kill removed 65,000 adult salmon from the lower Trinity and Klamath. The Trinity River Fish Hatchery now supports recreational fishing by compensating for habitat lost above Lewiston Dam.
Van Duzen River (121 km) flows through Humboldt and Trinity Counties, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
East Branch South Fork Eel River (34 km) flows through Humboldt and Mendocino Counties, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Humboldt County, California, Pilot Creek is a 24 km river or creek, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Larabee Creek (43 km) flows through Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Humboldt County, California, Yager Creek is a 24 km river or creek, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Humboldt County, California — Freshwater Creek is a 22 km stream, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Chamise Creek runs 21 km through Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity Counties, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Little River (32 km) flows through Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Humboldt County, California — Little Van Duzen River is a 29 km stream, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
The Mattole holds federally-threatened Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead, but populations have collapsed dramatically -- from roughly 10,000 Chinook and 4,000 coho spawning annually in 1959-1964, to about 100 of each by 1990-91, to just 3 adult coho counted in the 2009-2010 survey (the lowest since monitoring began in 2004). The decline reflects habitat degradation from logging, sedimentation and historic floods rather than fishing pressure.
Lawrence Creek runs 26 km through Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Humboldt County, California, North Fork Mad River is a 26 km river or creek, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
North Fork Mattole River (22 km) flows through Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
North Fork Elk River runs 27 km through Humboldt County, California, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Lakes and reservoirs across the West Coast typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel and blue catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, and rainbow, brown and lake trout, with kokanee and other landlocked salmon present in many larger reservoirs -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
North coast California river with federally threatened runs of coho (listed 1997), Chinook (listed 1999) and steelhead (listed 2000); resident coastal cutthroat and rainbow trout occupy the reaches above the estuary. The estuary historically also held longfin smelt and eulachon, though these haven't been observed recently.
Once supported roughly half of California's entire coho salmon run, averaging around 16,000 coho and 20,000 Chinook in the 1930s at Benbow Dam. Today it is considered the last remaining wild coho stronghold in the state, though populations have crashed to roughly 1,000 fish due to historic logging-driven sedimentation - a major focus of coho recovery efforts in the Eel River watershed.
The Klamath was one of the most productive salmon rivers on the Pacific coast, historically supporting 650,000-1,000,000 spawning salmon and steelhead a year (Chinook alone reaching 800,000 across spring and fall runs). Both the upper and lower river hold resident rainbow, redband, brook and brown trout, plus green sturgeon, Pacific lamprey and landlocked kokanee. The 2024 removal of four hydroelectric dams reopened 675-970 km of spawning and rearing habitat in the Upper Klamath Basin to salmon migration for the first time in over a century -- one of the largest dam-removal river restorations in US history.
Across its mapped waters, Humboldt County holds 26 species on PiscaMaps, including Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Channel Catfish and Blue Catfish.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the California map Join PiscaMapsOne California sport fishing licence covers every public water in the state, Shasta, Tahoe and the Sacramento included — the resident annual is about $62 (one of the most expensive in the country), the non-resident about $167, and it now runs 12 months from the date of purchase. Add a Bay-Delta Enhancement Stamp (~$7) for the Delta or a Steelhead Report Card (~$10) to fish for steelhead. Youth under 16 fish free. Buy at wildlife.ca.gov.