What you'll find here
Fishing is allowed at this downtown-adjacent CDFW plant lake: winter trout, summer catfish, and resident panfish and carp.
Is fishing allowed?
Yes. Fishing is allowed at Echo Park Lake (751 Echo Park Avenue), which is run by City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks. Anglers 16 and older need a valid California sport fishing license. Follow park hours and any rules posted at the lake.
Stocking
CDFW's Fish Planting Schedule for Los Angeles County, October 2025 through September 2026, lists trout plants at Echo Park Lake through the winter and an August 2026 catfish plant. CDFW publishes only the week of each plant, and plants are subject to change, so check the live schedule before you go.
Rules
Standard inland rules apply: trout 5 per day and 10 in possession, catfish 10 per day, sunfish (bluegill, green sunfish, redear) 25 combined, and no limit on carp or tilapia. Confirm current limits in the CDFW Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations.
CDFW plant log, October 2025–September 2026
CDFW lists this water as “Echo Park 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 (6 plant weeks): weeks starting Nov 16, 2025; Dec 7, 2025; Jan 11, 2026; Feb 8, 2026; Mar 1, 2026; Mar 15, 2026.
- Catfish: weeks starting Aug 16, 2026.
Seasons and limits for the fish here
- Common Carp: Year-round. Limits: No statewide minimum; No statewide bag limit. Tip: Lightly chum, then wait on a simple bottom rig.
- 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.
- Green Sunfish: Year-round in warm ponds. Limits: No size limit; Counts in the 25 combined sunfish and crappie. Tip: Cast tight to walls, pipes, and riprap.
- Tilapia: Warm months in urban lakes. Limits: No minimum; No limit (T14 CCR §5.83). Tip: Walk the bank and look for beds.
- 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.
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: carp 0 and 1; sunfish (bluegill) 1 and 2; green sunfish 1 and 2; rainbow trout 2 and 4; catfish 0 and 1. Tilapia is not named in this advisory. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fish at Echo Park Lake?
Yes. Fishing is allowed. Anglers 16 and older need a California fishing license.
Does CDFW stock Echo Park Lake?
Yes. CDFW's 2025–26 schedule lists trout plants in the cooler months and a summer catfish plant.
Who manages Echo Park Lake?
City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks.
Fish species at Echo 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
- MacArthur Park Lake — about 2 mi away (straight line)
- Hollenbeck Park Lake — about 4 mi away (straight line)
- Lincoln Park Lake — about 4 mi away (straight line)
- Belvedere Park Lake — about 6 mi away (straight line)
- Kenneth Hahn Regional Park Lake — about 8 mi away (straight line)
- John Anson Ford Park Lake — about 10 mi away (straight line)
- Marina del Rey Harbor (saltwater) — about 13 mi away
- Marina del Rey Jetties (saltwater) — about 14 mi away
Sources & official links
- 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.