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California · Fishing
Bass Lake sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills at around 3,400 feet elevation, and the fishing here is more varied than the name alone suggests.
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Bass Lake sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills at around 3,400 feet elevation, and the fishing here is more varied than the name alone suggests. The main body of water — Crane Valley, as the reservoir is formally known — is the centerpiece, offering lake fishing for bass, trout, catfish, and kokanee salmon depending on the time of year. Closer to the dam and along the shoreline, Recreation Point gives shore anglers a workable spot without needing a boat. If you want moving water, Chilkoot Creek feeds into the area and provides a river fishing option that fishes differently from the lake — smaller, tighter, and better suited to lighter tackle. The lake itself is managed by PG&E and sits within the Sierra National Forest, so access is generally straightforward, though day-use fees apply at some launch and parking areas. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, which affects both boat ramp usability and where fish are holding. Summer weekends bring heavy recreational boat traffic, which pushes serious anglers toward early mornings or weekday sessions. If you're planning a first trip, Crane Valley is the most accessible starting point, and a rental boat from one of the marina operators on the north shore opens up water that shore anglers simply can't reach.
Crane Valley holds largemouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, catfish, and kokanee salmon. Trout and kokanee are most active in cooler water, so spring and fall produce better numbers for those species, while bass fishing picks up through the warmer summer months.
You can fish from shore at Recreation Point without a boat, and it's one of the more practical bank-fishing spots on the lake. That said, a boat or kayak opens up significantly more water at Crane Valley, particularly the deeper mid-lake structure where kokanee and trout suspend during summer.
Recreation Point
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Crane Valley
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Chilkoot
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Forks Campground (Sierra)
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Sweetwater
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Summerdale Campground
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Cedar Bluff
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Mammoth Pool
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Lower Billy Creek
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Lupine
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Dorabelle Campground
~36 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Upper Billy Creek Cg
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Also worth it near here
Chilkoot is a river fishing option that fishes quite differently from the main lake. It's better suited to light spinning gear or small flies, and it rewards anglers who are comfortable working smaller moving water. It's worth adding to a trip if you want variety, but it shouldn't be the sole reason you drive to Bass Lake.
Early morning is consistently the most productive window, especially in summer when boat traffic and water temperatures both climb by mid-morning. On Crane Valley, bass tend to be most active near structure in the first two hours after sunrise. Evening can also be productive for bass along the shallower shoreline areas.
A valid California fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. Bass Lake falls under standard California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations, and specific rules around size limits and bag limits for trout and bass can change year to year, so check the current CDFW regulations for the Sierra Nevada region before your trip rather than relying on last year's rules.
