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California · Fishing
Susanville sits in the high desert of Lassen County, and the fishing around town leans almost entirely toward still water.
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View on mapFishing · 4 spots
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Susanville sits in the high desert of Lassen County, and the fishing around town leans almost entirely toward still water. The four main spots — Eagle Lake, accessed through the Eagle Lake Ranger District, along with Emerson Lake, McCoy Flat Reservoir, and the Gallatin Marina — each fish differently enough that it's worth thinking through which one matches your setup before you make the drive. Eagle Lake is the anchor of the region, a large natural lake at roughly 5,100 feet elevation that holds its own self-sustaining strain of Eagle Lake rainbow trout, a subspecies found nowhere else. Gallatin Marina gives you boat launch infrastructure and easier access if you're trailering. Emerson Lake and McCoy Flat Reservoir are smaller impoundments that tend to attract less pressure and suit anglers who prefer a quieter bank-fishing experience. All four are lake or reservoir fisheries, so expect trolling, bait fishing from shore, and float-tube setups to be the dominant approaches. Seasons and road conditions matter here — Lassen County winters close access roads and can push ice onto the smaller lakes well into spring. If you're planning a trip, call the Eagle Lake Ranger District directly for current conditions before you load the truck.
Eagle Lake is the standout, known specifically for Eagle Lake rainbow trout, a genetically distinct strain native to that watershed. The smaller waters like Emerson Lake and McCoy Flat Reservoir are stocked impoundments, so trout are the primary target there as well. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stocking reports for current plant schedules at those reservoirs before your trip.
Both approaches work depending on where you go. Gallatin Marina has boat launch facilities, making it the practical choice if you're trailering a boat or kayak onto Eagle Lake. Emerson Lake and McCoy Flat Reservoir are smaller and more manageable for bank fishing or a float tube. Shore access at Eagle Lake exists but covering more water with a boat makes a real difference there.
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Late spring through fall is the most reliable window. Eagle Lake typically opens to fishing in late June or July after the access road clears, and the bite holds through October before conditions deteriorate. McCoy Flat Reservoir and Emerson Lake can be accessible earlier in spring, but water levels on the smaller reservoirs fluctuate with snowpack and drawdown, so confirm conditions before making the trip.
California fishing regulations apply throughout, and Eagle Lake has historically carried special regulations separate from general statewide rules, including specific gear restrictions and bag limits tied to the Eagle Lake trout strain. Always check the current California DFW Sport Fishing Regulations booklet for Lassen County and Eagle Lake specifically before you go, since these rules can change year to year.
For Eagle Lake, trolling with flashers and a worm or small lure is a proven method, and many anglers also do well with PowerBait from shore in the shallower coves. At McCoy Flat Reservoir and Emerson Lake, a simple spinning rod with a size 10-14 hook, split shot, and a nightcrawler covers most situations. Bring layers regardless of season since mornings at elevation in Lassen County run cold even in summer.
