What you'll find here
San Dimas reservoir with boat rentals. CDFW plants trout in cool months.
Park rules
LA County Parks says a fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. Fishing is allowed except from sand beaches, boat docks and within 100 feet of launch ramps. The lake is open from sunrise to half an hour before sunset.
Posted limits
The county posts trout 5, catfish 10, black bass 5 at 12 inches or larger, and sunfish 25, which match the state regulations.
Stocking
CDFW's Fish Planting Schedule for Los Angeles County, October 2025 through September 2026, listed trout plants at Puddingstone through mid-April 2026.
Tips
- Trout bite best in the cooler months after plants.
- Bass relate to coves and docks (fish near, not from, docks).
- Catfish in summer evenings before closing time.
CDFW plant log, October 2025–September 2026
CDFW lists this water as “Puddingstone 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.
- Trout (9 plant weeks): weeks starting Nov 2, 2025; Nov 23, 2025; Dec 7, 2025; Dec 14, 2025; Jan 11, 2026; Feb 15, 2026; Mar 8, 2026; Mar 15, 2026; Apr 12, 2026.
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.
- 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.
- 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 Puddingstone Reservoir advisory lists servings per week (women 18–49 and children 1–17, then women 50+ and men) as: black bass 1 and 2; sunfish (bluegill) 7 and 7; carp 1 and 1. Catfish, rainbow trout are not named in this advisory. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you fish at Puddingstone?
Anywhere except sand beaches, boat docks and within 100 feet of launch ramps.
What are Puddingstone's hours?
The lake is open sunrise to half an hour before sunset, per LA County Parks.
Is Puddingstone stocked?
CDFW listed trout plants through mid-April 2026.
Fish species at Puddingstone Reservoir (Bonelli Park)
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
- Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area — about 8 mi away (straight line)
- Peck Road Water Conservation Park — about 9 mi away (straight line)
- Legg Lake, Whittier Narrows — about 15 mi away (straight line)
- Crystal Lake (San Gabriel Mountains) — about 16 mi away (straight line)
- La Mirada Regional Park Lake — about 17 mi away (straight line)
- Jackson Lake — about 21 mi away (straight line)
- Alamitos Bay, Long Beach (saltwater) — about 29 mi away
- Alamitos Bay Jetties (saltwater) — about 30 mi away
Sources & official links
- LA County Parks — Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park
- CDFW — Fish Planting Schedule (search Los Angeles County)
- OEHHA — Fish advisory: Puddingstone Reservoir
- CDFW — 2026 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (PDF)
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.