What you'll find here
Natural sag-pond lake on the San Andreas in the north county. Levels fluctuate.
About the lake
Elizabeth Lake is a natural lake in the Leona Valley along the San Andreas Fault. Water levels vary with rainfall.
Stocking and species
Elizabeth Lake was not on CDFW's 2025–26 planting list. We could not find a current official species survey.
Regulations
Statewide lake rules: bass 12 inches, 5; catfish 10; sunfish 25. License 16+.
What we could not verify
We could not find a current CDFW or Forest Service survey of the fish in Elizabeth Lake. Species listed on this page come from general reports and may change with water levels.
Rules
Statewide lake rules apply. A license is required for anglers 16 and older.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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: black bass 0 and 1; catfish 0 and 1; crappie 1 and 2; sunfish (bluegill) 1 and 2. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.
Frequently asked questions
Is Elizabeth Lake stocked?
Not in CDFW's 2025–26 schedule.
What kind of lake is Elizabeth Lake?
A natural lake on the San Andreas Fault.
What rules apply?
Statewide lake rules for bass, catfish and sunfish.
Fish species at Elizabeth 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
- Apollo Community Regional Park Lake — about 14 mi away (straight line)
- Castaic Lake — about 16 mi away (straight line)
- Castaic Lagoon (Lower Lake) — about 16 mi away (straight line)
- Pyramid Lake — about 21 mi away (straight line)
- Hansen Dam — about 28 mi away (straight line)
- Lake Balboa — about 34 mi away (straight line)
- Santa Monica Pier (saltwater) — about 45 mi away
- Malibu Pier / Malibu Surf (saltwater) — about 46 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
- USDA Forest Service — Angeles National Forest
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.