What you'll find here
CDFW trout plant water. Fishing in the City youth derbies run at Area 2 Lake.
Stocking
CDFW's Fish Planting Schedule for Los Angeles County, October 2025 through September 2026, listed trout plants at El Dorado Park Lakes and catfish plants in October and November 2025.
Regulations
Trout 5/10; catfish 10; bass 12 inches, 5; sunfish 25. License 16+.
Tips
- Check which lakes are open to fishing.
- Float rigs for trout.
- Catfish on the bottom in fall.
CDFW plant log, October 2025–September 2026
CDFW lists this water as “El Dorado Park Lakes” 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 15, 2026; Mar 8, 2026; Mar 15, 2026.
- Catfish: weeks starting Nov 9, 2025, plus an October 2025 catfish plant.
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.
- 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.
- Common Carp: Year-round. Limits: No statewide minimum; No statewide bag limit. Tip: Lightly chum, then wait on a simple bottom rig.
- Black Crappie: Spring spawn, deeper in summer. Limits: No size limit in LA County; 25 sunfish and crappie combined. Tip: Vertical jig on brush and dock posts.
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; black bass 0 and 1; carp 0 and 1; crappie 1 and 2. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.
Frequently asked questions
Is El Dorado Park stocked?
Yes, CDFW listed trout and fall 2025 catfish plants.
What is the catfish limit at El Dorado?
10 per day.
Do you need a license?
Yes, 16 and older.
Fish species at El Dorado Park Lakes, Long Beach
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
- Cerritos / Don Knabe Park Lake — about 4 mi away (straight line)
- La Mirada Regional Park Lake — about 8 mi away (straight line)
- Machado Lake (Ken Malloy Harbor Park) — about 12 mi away (straight line)
- Earvin Magic Johnson Park Lake — about 12 mi away (straight line)
- John Anson Ford Park Lake — about 12 mi away (straight line)
- Belvedere Park Lake — about 15 mi away (straight line)
- Alamitos Bay, Long Beach (saltwater) — about 5 mi away
- Alamitos Bay Jetties (saltwater) — about 5 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.