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California · Fishing
Chico's fishing scene is quieter than what you'll find up in the Sierra foothills, but that's part of the appeal.
3 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
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Chico's fishing scene is quieter than what you'll find up in the Sierra foothills, but that's part of the appeal. The three lakes covered on this page — Soto Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and Five Mile — sit within reasonable reach of town and offer accessible, low-pressure fishing that works well for families, beginners, and anyone who wants a few hours on the water without a long drive. These are warmwater lake fisheries, so expect species like bass, bluegill, and catfish rather than trout streams. Horseshoe Lake and Soto Lake are both flat and open, which makes them easy to read and easy to fish from the bank. Five Mile rounds out the options with similar character. None of these are destination fisheries that will pull you away from Shasta or the Feather River, but if you're based in Chico and want to wet a line on a weekday evening or a weekend morning, they're genuinely worth knowing. Licensing requirements from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife apply at all three, so make sure your freshwater fishing license is current before you go.
All three are warmwater lake fisheries, so largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish are the most likely catches. Crappie show up at some valley lakes in this region as well. These are not trout fisheries, so don't plan your trip around rainbow trout unless you've confirmed a recent stocking event through CDFW's fish planting schedule.
Yes. California requires a valid freshwater fishing license for anyone 16 or older at all three locations. You can purchase one through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website or at local sporting goods retailers in Chico. Buy it before you show up — there's no on-site licensing at these lakes.
Orland Buttes
~44 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Sycamore Grove (red Bluff) Campground
~52 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Wyandotte A Campground
~1h 21m drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Buckhorn
~46 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Running Deer Campground
~1h 24m drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Almanor
~1h 20m drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Red Feather California
~1h 24m drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Little Beaver A Campground
~1h 21m drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Five Mile
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Horse Campground
~1h 24m drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Horseshoe Lake
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Soto Lake
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Also worth it near here
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows for warmwater species like bass and bluegill, especially in spring and summer when water temperatures are higher. Midday fishing in the Central Valley heat tends to slow things down considerably from June through August.
Yes, all three are well-suited for newer anglers. Bank access is straightforward, the fish species are forgiving for learning basic techniques, and you don't need a boat. A simple setup with a bobber, hook, and nightcrawlers will catch bluegill reliably, which makes these spots a solid choice for kids fishing for the first time.
A light to medium spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range covers most situations across all three lakes. For bass, bring a small selection of soft plastics, small crankbaits, or spinnerbaits. For bluegill and catfish, live bait like nightcrawlers or cut bait works well. Bring sun protection and water — shade is limited at these valley lakes and summer temperatures in Chico can be intense.
