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California · Fishing
Angelus Oaks sits at the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, and the fishing options clustered around it lean heavily on moving water.
11 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 11 spots
Angelus Oaks sits at the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, and the fishing options clustered around it lean heavily on moving water. Most of the listings here are river fishing setups, with spots like Heart Bar Campground, Barton Flats, Coon Creek Group Campground, Skyline, and Wild Horse Equestrian Family all positioned along stream corridors that feed through the San Gorgonio Wilderness area. Lake fishing shows up at Buttercup Group Camp and Juniper Springs Group Camp, giving you a calmer alternative if you're bringing kids or prefer still water. A handful of listings — Council, Oso Group, and Lobo Group — are tagged for saltwater fishing, and San Gorgonio covers surf fishing, so if you're using this page as a base for a broader Southern California trip, there's range here beyond the mountains. The river sites are the core draw for anyone staying in Angelus Oaks proper. Expect smaller mountain streams rather than wide wading rivers, and plan your timing around water levels, which run higher in late spring from snowmelt and drop to low, clear conditions by late summer.
River fishing dominates the listings here, with sites like Barton Flats, Heart Bar Campground, Coon Creek Group Campground, and Skyline all set up along stream corridors in the San Bernardino National Forest. Lake fishing is available at Buttercup Group Camp and Juniper Springs Group Camp if you prefer still water.
Yes, a valid California sport fishing license is required for anyone 16 or older fishing in these waters. The San Bernardino National Forest sites also fall under California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations, so check current rules for the specific water body you plan to fish, as catch limits and gear restrictions can vary by location.
Lobo Group
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Heart Bar Campground
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
San Gorgonio
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Green Spot Equestrian Group Camp
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Oso Group
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Skyline
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Bluff Mesa Group Camp
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Buttercup Group Camp
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Council
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Wild Horse Equestrian Family
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Ironwood Group Camp
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Juniper Springs Group Camp
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Also worth it near here
Late spring through early summer brings higher, faster water from snowmelt, which can make wading tricky but moves fish actively. By July and August, flows drop and water clears up, which is generally the most fishable window at spots like Barton Flats and Heart Bar Campground. Early morning is consistently the most productive time of day on these mountain streams.
The lake fishing sites at Buttercup Group Camp and Juniper Springs Group Camp are the most approachable for beginners and younger kids since still water is easier to manage. The river sites require more awareness of current and footing, but spots like Barton Flats are well-established campground areas with relatively accessible water compared to backcountry streams.
Light to ultralight spinning gear or a short fly rod in the 3-to-5-weight range works well for the smaller mountain streams around Angelus Oaks. Wading sandals or boots with grip are worth having even in summer since the streambeds are rocky. Bring a California fishing regulation booklet or check the CDFW website before you go, as bait restrictions sometimes apply to specific stream sections in the national forest.
