The state stocks trout in many Southern California parks and lakes.
Trout plants take place in the cool winter and early spring months in Southern California. The State Department of Fish and Game stocks catchable trout in public lakes and reservoirs throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Diego counties. The state plants trout when water temperatures are below 75 degrees Fahrenheit and stream flow is above 10 cubic feet per second. Trout stocking discontinues if algae blooms, aquatic weed growth, high turbidity, high alkalinity or other conditions make the water unsuitable for fishing. Does this Spark an idea?
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Center
The Kenneth Hahn park lake is in the urban Baldwin Hills area of Los Angeles. The DFG plants rainbow trout and catfish in January. The lake also has largemouth bass and bluegill. Fishing permits are required and the park is open from 6 a.m. to sunset each day. It includes picnic areas, children's play areas and 5 miles of hiking trails. Specific dates for trout planting are not given. This prevents fishing activity from being focused to the trout plant time.
Cachuma Lake
Cachuma Lake in the Santa Barbara area is one of largest southern California trout fishing areas. Its lake-bottom topography of rocky drop-offs, shallow areas and plant beds provide fish with ample places to spawn. In addition to trout, the lake is stocked with bass, crappie, bluegill, sunfish and catfish. Fish plants begin in October and include up to 500 lbs. of trout at each plant. Camping and boating are available.
Glen Helen Regional Park
Trout fishermen often overlook the two small lakes in Glen Helen Regional Park, Riverside County, because boating is not permitted. Both the Department of Fish and Game and local park district stock the lakes with trout and catfish. The trout average between 8 and 11 inches. Glen Helen is a day-use park with a swimming lagoon, paddleboat rentals and picnic areas. A bait and tackle store is available.
Yorba Regional Park
Yorba Park is at the mouth of the Santa Ana Canyon in the Anaheim hills of Orange County. It has four fishing lakes connected by shallow streams. The two larger lakes in the middle are recommended for trout fishing. The lakes are shallow and weeds are a problem in summer months. Rainbow trout are planted during winter and early spring and catfish during the summer months. Yorba Park is a day-use facility with picnic areas and hiking trails.
Tags: Glen Helen, picnic areas, Regional Park, Cachuma Lake, Department Fish, Department Fish Game, early spring
