What you'll find here
Downtown urban lake where fishing is allowed. Warm-water panfish, carp, and a summer CDFW catfish plant; not a trout plant destination.
Access
Fishing is allowed at MacArthur Park Lake (653 S. Alvarado Street), a City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks lake. Anglers 16 and older need a valid California 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, listed a catfish plant at MacArthur Park Lake the week of June 28–July 4, 2026.
Rules
Catfish 10; sunfish 25; carp and tilapia no limit. License 16+.
CDFW plant log, October 2025–September 2026
CDFW lists this water as “MacArthur 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.
- Catfish: weeks starting Jun 28, 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.
- Tilapia: Warm months in urban lakes. Limits: No minimum; No limit (T14 CCR §5.83). Tip: Walk the bank and look for beds.
- 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.
- 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; 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 MacArthur Park?
Yes. Fishing is allowed. Anglers 16 and older need a California fishing license.
Is MacArthur Park Lake stocked?
CDFW listed a catfish plant in late June 2026.
What fish are in MacArthur Park Lake?
Carp, tilapia, sunfish and catfish.
Fish species at MacArthur 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
- Echo 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)
- Kenneth Hahn Regional Park Lake — about 6 mi away (straight line)
- Belvedere Park Lake — about 6 mi away (straight line)
- John Anson Ford Park Lake — about 9 mi away (straight line)
- Marina del Rey Harbor (saltwater) — about 11 mi away
- Marina del Rey Jetties (saltwater) — about 12 mi away
Sources & official links
- City of LA Recreation & Parks — Lakes, fishing and beaches
- 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.