47 public waters in the Southern California region — 27 lakes/reservoirs and 20 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.
Riverside County, Prado Flood Control Basin/Prado Regional Park. Popular fishery despite its flood-control function; bass takes center stage in summer, trout stocked for cooler-season fishing.
In Riverside County, California, Diamond Valley Lake is a 4,500-acre lake, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. A Southern California water-supply reservoir — Largemouth Bass (several have produced near-record fish), stocked Rainbow Trout in winter, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Black Crappie and, on the larger ones, Striped Bass; most require a mussel inspection and many charge a day-use fee.
Riverside County. Channel catfish most reliable year-round; notable for hybrid striped bass ("wipers"), unusual for the region. Local legend of a giant blue/channel catfish hybrid nicknamed "Whiskers."
In Riverside County, California, Lake Perris is a 2,200-acre lake, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. A Southern California water-supply reservoir — Largemouth Bass (several have produced near-record fish), stocked Rainbow Trout in winter, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Black Crappie and, on the larger ones, Striped Bass; most require a mussel inspection and many charge a day-use fee.
In Riverside County, California, Hayfield Reservoir is a 1,076-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.
Lake Skinner in Riverside County, Southern California, combines largemouth bass and striped bass with rainbow trout, channel catfish and panfish species including bluegill, redear sunfish and black crappie. This 1,013-acre lake's diverse warmwater and coolwater mix offers year-round fishing across multiple species and angling techniques.
Mystic Lake, a 708-acre lake in Riverside 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.
Riverside County, California — Lake Cahuilla is a 135-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.
In Riverside County, California, Railroad Canyon Reservoir is a 80-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.
In Riverside County, California, San Jacinto Reservoir is a 70-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.
Riverside County, California — Proposed Water Treatment Area is a 61-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.
Riverside County, California — Ski Land is a 53-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.
In Riverside County, California, Riverside Basin is a 44-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.
In Riverside County, California, Lake Hemet is a 40-acre lake, 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.
In Riverside County, California, Little Lake is a 40-acre lake, 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.
In Riverside County, California, Rancho Jurupa Park Pond 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.
Cahuilla Park Lake (40 acres) sits in Riverside County, California, 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.
In Riverside County, California, Bogart Park Pond 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.
In Riverside County, California, Skinner Lake is a 40-acre lake, managed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. A Southern California water-supply reservoir — Largemouth Bass (several have produced near-record fish), stocked Rainbow Trout in winter, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Black Crappie and, on the larger ones, Striped Bass; most require a mussel inspection and many charge a day-use fee.
Lake Fulmor (40 acres) sits in Riverside 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.
Mountain Avenue West Groundwater Replenishment Facility, a 36-acre lake in Riverside 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.
Riverside County, California — Sunnymead Ranch Lake is a 31-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.
Declez Basin (26 acres) sits in Riverside 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.
Cotino® Bay (24 acres) sits in Riverside 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.
Oak Street Creek Reservoir (23 acres) sits in Riverside 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.
Heritage Lake, a 22-acre lake in Riverside 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 Riverside County, California, Vernal Pool is a 17-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.
In Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, California, Mission Creek is a 35 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.
In Riverside and San Diego Counties, California, San Mateo Creek is a 37 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.
Riverside County, California — Temescal Wash is a 23 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.
Riverside County, California — Tahquitz 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.
An unlined/lined irrigation canal moving Colorado River water through the Coachella Valley. Grass carp (also called white amur) are deliberately stocked to control aquatic vegetation and prevent water loss - this appears to be the primary documented fish presence; no evidence of a notable recreational fishery was found.
Whitewater River (102 km) flows through Riverside and San Bernardino 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 Riverside County, California, San Jacinto River is a 56 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.
One of Southern California's last free-flowing rivers (largely undammed on its mainstem), the Santa Margarita is a real ecological recovery success story: Pacific lamprey recolonized it in August 2019 for the first time since 1940, the species' southernmost recolonization on record at 260 miles south of the previous known point, made possible by fish-passage improvements at Camp Pendleton.
Murrieta Creek (22 km) flows through Riverside 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 Riverside County, California, Salt Creek is a 42 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.
Riverside County, California — North Fork San Jacinto River is a 20 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.
San Gorgonio River (43 km) flows through Riverside and San Bernardino 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.
San Diego Aqueduct (21 km) flows through Riverside 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.
This entry covers a California-side segment of the lower Colorado River. The lower river below Hoover Dam is a well-documented warmwater fishery for striped bass, largemouth/smallmouth bass, catfish and redear sunfish, while also being critical habitat for two federally endangered natives, the razorback sucker and bonytail chub. A dedicated agency page for this exact reach could not be reached this session, so treat as general knowledge pending confirmation.
Riverside County, California — Deep Canyon 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.
Pinto Wash (60 km) flows through Riverside 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.
Smoke Tree Wash runs 35 km through Riverside 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.
Riverside County, California — Fried Liver Wash 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.
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, California — Quail Wash is a 34 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.
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, California — San Timoteo Wash is a 23 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.
Across its mapped waters, Riverside County holds 34 species on PiscaMaps, including Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Blue Catfish and Black Crappie.
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.