What you'll find here
CDFW Fishing in the City water. Five-catfish bag. Kids derbies run here.
Stocking
CDFW's Fish Planting Schedule for Los Angeles County, October 2025 through September 2026, listed trout plants at Cerritos and a June 2026 catfish plant.
Lake-specific rules
This lake is one of seven LA County park lakes where CDFW sets a 5-catfish daily limit instead of the 10-fish Southern District limit (T14 CCR §5.15). Trout 5/10; sunfish 25. License 16+.
Access
Don Knabe Community Regional Park is operated by LA County Parks.
Plant history
CDFW listed Cerritos Lake for trout in the weeks of November 16 and December 7, 2025, and January 11, February 15 and March 8, 2026, then a catfish plant the week of May 31, 2026.
What to bring
A license (16+), light tackle, dough bait for trout and nightcrawlers or liver for catfish. The 5-catfish limit applies here. Bluegill and other sunfish share a 25-fish combined bag.
Eating your catch
There is no lake-specific OEHHA advisory for Cerritos; under the statewide lake advice, women 18–49 and children should not eat catfish, and others should eat no more than 1 serving a week.
CDFW plant log, October 2025–September 2026
CDFW lists this water as “Cerritos Lake” on its Fish Planting Schedule. The schedule gives only the week of each plant, on purpose, to avoid crowding right after a stocking, and every plant is subject to change.
- 2026–27 season, listed so far: trout, week starting Nov 1, 2026. Check the live schedule, since plants can change.
- Trout (5 plant weeks): weeks starting Nov 16, 2025; Dec 7, 2025; Jan 11, 2026; Feb 15, 2026; Mar 8, 2026.
- Catfish: weeks starting May 31, 2026.
Seasons and limits for the fish here
- Rainbow Trout (stocked): Fall–spring plants. Limits: No statewide minimum on stocked lake rainbows; 5 trout daily, 10 in possession on lakes. Tip: Fish the day after a published plant week.
- 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 statewide advisory for lakes and reservoirs without site-specific advice lists servings per week (women 18–49 and children 1–17, then women 50+ and men) as: rainbow trout 2 and 4; catfish 0 and 1; sunfish (bluegill) 1 and 2; carp 0 and 1. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.
Frequently asked questions
What is the catfish limit at Cerritos Park Lake?
5 per day.
Is Cerritos Park Lake stocked?
Yes, trout and a June 2026 catfish plant.
What is the park's current name?
Don Knabe Community Regional Park.
Fish species at Cerritos / Don Knabe Park Lake
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.
Nearby waters
- La Mirada Regional Park Lake — about 4 mi away (straight line)
- El Dorado Park Lakes, Long Beach — about 4 mi away (straight line)
- John Anson Ford Park Lake — about 9 mi away (straight line)
- Earvin Magic Johnson Park Lake — about 10 mi away (straight line)
- Belvedere Park Lake — about 12 mi away (straight line)
- Legg Lake, Whittier Narrows — about 13 mi away (straight line)
- Alamitos Bay, Long Beach (saltwater) — about 9 mi away
- Belmont Pier / Long Beach (saltwater) — about 9 mi away
Sources & official links
- LA County Parks — Don Knabe Community Regional Park
- CDFW — Fish Planting Schedule (search Los Angeles County)
- CDFW — 2026 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (PDF)
- OEHHA — Statewide advisory for lakes and reservoirs without site-specific advice
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.