Castaic Lake Fishing Guide: Species & Rules

What you'll find here

LA County flagship bass reservoir. 2026 rules: 12-inch minimum, 5 black bass. Invasive-mussel boat rules apply.

Access and park rules

Castaic Lake State Recreation Area is operated by LA County Parks. Hours, entry fees and boat launch rules are set by the county and change seasonally, so check the official park page before you go. LA County Parks now considers Castaic Lake infested with invasive mussels; mandatory entrance inspections have ended, but exit inspections and drain-plug rules still apply to boats.

Species and stocking

Largemouth bass are the main draw, with striped bass in open water. OEHHA's 2023 advisory for the lake also covers channel catfish, carp, sunfish, inland silversides and threadfin shad. CDFW's Fish Planting Schedule for Los Angeles County, October 2025 through September 2026, did not list any plants at Castaic Lake, so the fishery is self-sustaining rather than put-and-take.

Regulations specific to Castaic

The 2026 freshwater regulations list Castaic Lake at a 12-inch minimum and 5 black bass per day, replacing the 15-inch rule many older guides still quote. Striped bass follow the Southern District rule: 10 fish, no minimum size. Catfish: 10 per day (Southern District). A license is required for anglers 16 and older.

Tips

Bass relate to rocky points, coves and drop-offs; deep water means many fish hold deeper than in small lakes.
Stripers follow shad schools; watch for surface boils.
Castaic Lagoon below the dam is a separate basin with its own page.

Seasons and limits for the fish here

Largemouth Bass: Year-round, best spring/fall. Limits: 12 inches total length on lakes, including Castaic Lake (2026 booklet, §5.00(b)(7)); 5 black bass. Tip: Shade and cover early and late.
Striped Bass: Year-round at Castaic and Pyramid. Limits: No inland size limit in the Southern District; 10 fish in the Southern District (statewide default elsewhere is 2 fish, 18 inches). Tip: Troll the dam and main basin.
Channel Catfish: Summer nights. Limits: No statewide minimum; 10 catfish in the Southern District, except 5 at the listed LA County park lakes in §5.15; bullheads no limit. Tip: Sliding sinker on the bottom after dark.
Bluegill: Year-round, best warm months. Limits: No size limit in LA County waters; 25 sunfish and crappie combined. Tip: Light line, small hook, a few feet under a float.
Common Carp: Year-round. Limits: No statewide minimum; No statewide bag limit. Tip: Lightly chum, then wait on a simple bottom rig.

Limits summarize CDFW rules as of October 2026; each species page links the official source.

Eating your catch

For fish caught here, OEHHA's Castaic Lake advisory lists servings per week (women 18–49 and children 1–17, then women 50+ and men) as: black bass 0 and 1; striped bass 1 and 4; catfish 0 and 1; sunfish (bluegill) 3 and 3; carp 1 and 4. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.

Frequently asked questions

What is the bass limit at Castaic Lake in 2026?

12 inches minimum and 5 black bass per day.

Does CDFW stock trout at Castaic Lake?

No plants were listed at Castaic Lake in CDFW's October 2025–September 2026 schedule.

Is fish from Castaic Lake safe to eat?

OEHHA advises women 18–49 and children not to eat black bass or channel catfish from Castaic Lake, and others to limit them to 1 serving a week.

Fish species at Castaic Lake

Map

View larger map

Regulations reminder

Size limits, bag limits, seasons, and MPA rules are set by CDFW and can change in-season. Public-pier license exceptions (CCR 1.88) apply only on qualifying structures — not on the beach next to them. This is an independent site and is not affiliated with CDFW.

wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing →

Nearby waters

Castaic Lagoon (Lower Lake) — about 1 mi away (straight line)
Pyramid Lake — about 13 mi away (straight line)
Elizabeth Lake — about 16 mi away (straight line)
Hansen Dam — about 23 mi away (straight line)
Lake Balboa — about 25 mi away (straight line)
Apollo Community Regional Park Lake — about 29 mi away (straight line)
Malibu Pier / Malibu Surf (saltwater) — about 34 mi away
Santa Monica Pier (saltwater) — about 36 mi away

Sources & official links

Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.

Castaic Lake