Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area

What you'll find here

Popular CDFW trout-stocking lake in Irwindale.

CDFW plant log, October 2025–September 2026

CDFW lists this water as “Santa Fe Reservoir” 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 (8 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.
• Catfish: weeks starting May 17, 2026.

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.
• Common Carp: Year-round. Limits: No statewide minimum; No statewide bag limit. Tip: Lightly chum, then wait on a simple bottom rig.
• 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.

Limits summarize CDFW rules as of October 2026; each species page links the official source.

Eating your catch

For fish caught here, OEHHA's Santa Fe Dam Lake advisory lists servings per week (women 18–49 and children 1–17, then women 50+ and men) as: catfish 1 and 2; sunfish (bluegill) 2 and 5; carp 1 and 4; black bass 0 and 1. Rainbow trout is not named in this advisory. OEHHA also recommends eating skinless fillets and trimming fat.

Fish species at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area

Rainbow Trout (stocked)

Channel Catfish

Bluegill

Common Carp

Largemouth Bass

Map

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Nearby waters

• Peck Road Water Conservation Park — about 1 mi away (straight line)
• Legg Lake, Whittier Narrows — about 7 mi away (straight line)
• Puddingstone Reservoir (Bonelli Park) — about 8 mi away (straight line)
• Belvedere Park Lake — about 14 mi away (straight line)
• Lincoln Park Lake — about 14 mi away (straight line)
• La Mirada Regional Park Lake — about 15 mi away (straight line)
• Alamitos Bay, Long Beach (saltwater) — about 27 mi away
• Belmont Pier / Long Beach (saltwater) — about 27 mi away