More Than 25 Great Fishing Spots Near Los Angeles

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Yes, Los Angeles County has close to 10 million people and is far better known for Hollywood, the Lakers and its carefree, beach-loving culture.

Let the other 9 million-plus folks worry about all that glitz because the truth is that Los Angeles County has far more fishing than most people realize.

The area is home to the almost incomparable Castaic Lake, which has produced largemouth bass nudging incredibly close to world-record territory, as well as several other pretty darned good fishing lakes. Click the links with some of the better spots to read our full location articles.

And, of course, the area is a veritable gateway onto the Pacific Ocean, which offers up a nearly endless array of fishing opportunities, from near-shore reefs to deep-sea expeditions.

Besides Los Angeles itself, county residents live in well over 80 other cities, including more than a dozen with 100,000 or more people. A handful of the larger cities include Long Beach, Santa Clarita, and Glendale. Pasadena is famous for the Rose Parade.

What follows is an alphabetical listing of the best fishing spots in Los Angeles County.

Also, be sure to check out the “Fishing in Neighboring Counties” feature at the end of this article. It will give you a brief rundown of great fishing that nearby areas offer and a link to more information.

Alondra Park Lake

Located about a half-hour southwest of downtown Los Angeles in Lawndale, Alondra Park Lake has a variety of fishing opportunities.

Some of the species you can find in the 14-acre lake include channel catfish, largemouth bass and common carp.

At cooler times of the year, namely during the late fall into the winter, the lake is likely to be stocked with hatchery-raised trout.

Check the Alondra Regional Community Park website for hours of operation and other details.

Google Map and Directions to Alondra Park Lake

Apollo Community Regional Park Lakes

This trio of lakes sits in a regional park on the north side of Lancaster, just off the runway at General William J. Fox Airfield.

Fishing will be most popular in the cooler season when the lake tends to be periodically stocked with hatchery trout.

Watch for the occasional fishing derby as well.

Historically, there have been some big carp and small sunfish available to catch. Other warmwater species may also appear in catches.

Angling access is excellent, with trails encircling the ponds and a couple of fishing piers near the parking area on the west side.

Google Map and Directions to Apollo Community Regional Park

Belvedere Lake

Belvedere Park Lake in the East Los Angeles area is most popular when it is stocked with rainbow trout during the colder season and catfish during warmer months.

In addition, other common catches in the lake are bluegill, largemouth bass and common carp.

Google Map and Directions to Belvedere Lake

Castaic Lagoon

Located just below the main Castaic Lake, Castaic Lagoon is a popular fishing spot where anglers can often catch stocked rainbow trout in the cooler months.

Other fish you are likely to catch include black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, striped bass and common carp.

The Lagoon, as it is often known, is 197 acres and fairly shallow, with a maximum depth of 170 feet. You can spread out to fish about three miles of shoreline.

Aside from fishing, this is popular as a picnic and camping area for families.

Visitors may also enjoy biking, hiking, swimming, and non-gasoline-powered boating. Equestrian trails are nearby.

Castaic Lake and Lagoon are located near I-5 in the Sierra Palona Mountains in the northern part of the county, just north of Santa Clarita and less than an hour from Los Angeles.

Google Map and Directions to Castaic Lagoon

Castaic Lake

Castaic Lake is famous for largemouth bass fishing but is also stocked with plenty of rainbow trout and has lots of other fish to catch.

Other species you might catch include catfish, crappie and striped bass.    

Castaic Lake makes a family-friendly destination with a variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, biking and hiking. There is a children’s playground and picnic areas.

Camping is available at neighboring Castaic Lagoon (see that entry) and other locations in this mountainous region of northern Los Angeles County, just off Interstate 5.

Google Map and Directions to Castaic Lake

More: Castaic Lake Fishing

Catalina Island

If you like saltwater fishing in Southern California, Santa Catalina Island is definitely a bucket list destination for you.

Yellowtail, halibut and various sea bass are practically right offshore, sometimes in amazing numbers. Longer trips head out for tuna, marlin and dorado (mahi mahi).

Don’t have a boat or want to pay for a chartered trip? Fish from the Green Pleasure Pier in the Bay of Avalon for a shot at a variety of fish species. You don’t even need a fishing license.

Catalina Island is not necessarily a cheap fishing trip, but you can get started with a ferry ride or chartered flight from various points on the mainland.

Cerritos Park Lake

Located in the popular Don Knabe Community Regional Park in Cerritos, the lake can be a good fishing destination, whatever the season.

The lake is stocked with rainbow trout during cooler seasons. Anglers can often catch catfish during the warmer season.

Resident bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and carp can also be found in the lake.

The park also includes a playground area, skate park, barbecue grills, picnic tables and other amenities.  

Check the park website for more information.

Google Map and Directions to Cerritos Park Lake

Crystal Lake

Despite being small in size, the 13-acre Crystal Lake is a favorite to many anglers. It’s that rare mountain lake near LA.

The popular fishing spot is often stocked with trout during the cooler season, if water conditions allow.

You also may catch bluegill, catfish and largemouth bass in the lake.

Crystal Lake’s name was derived from its crystal clear waters. It is located in the Angeles National Forest and is one of Southern California’s natural lakes.

Aside from fishing, guests may also go boating but take note that only hand-carried paddle or electric boats are permitted in the lake.   

Also located nearby is a recreation area that features 50 campsites.

Don’t have enough food or forgot to bring some camping essentials? You can check out the Crystal Lake Cafe. They have everything from meals and drinks to firewood and other camping items.

Google Map and Directions to Crystal Lake

Downey Lake (Wilderness Park Pond)

Wilderness Park’s Downey Lake is popular after it is stocked with rainbow trout, which is planned some years between late fall and early spring.

In the summer season, anglers can instead catch catfish, bluegill, carp, crappie, largemouth bass and carp all year.

The park also has barbecues, children’s play area, picnic tables, and restrooms.

Google Map and Directions to Downey Lake

Earvin Magic Johnson Park Lake

Named after the legendary NBA Laker, the Earvin Magic Johnson Recreational Area is a popular 104-acre park south of Los Angeles.

Anglers can fish for bluegill, catfish, crappie, largemouth bass and carp in the lake.

The park is also an ideal spot for outdoor activities because their amenities include barbecues, fitness courses, picnic areas, playground, restrooms and soccer fields.

Google Map and Directions to Earvin Magic Johnson Park Lake

Echo Park Lake

Echo Park Lake is an ideal family destination for those looking for fun outdoor activities.

Fishing is permitted in the 29-acre lake all year, but winter trout stocking will likely bring the most anglers. Plantings are most likely when the water has cooled off.

Echo Park Lake also is home year-round to other game fish including bass, bluegill, catfish and perhaps other fish species. 

The park, located west of Dodger Stadium, also offers pedal boat rentals, picnic areas and walking paths.

Google Map and Directions to Echo Park Lake

El Dorado Park Lakes

Located in the El Dorado East Regional Park in the city of Long Beach, these lakes offer fishing for various game fish.

The lakes are stocked with rainbow trout multiple times during the late fall and winter season and also are stocked with channel catfish, often in the spring and fall.

Other fish you might catch include bluegill, catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, redear sunfish and common carp.

The park also has barbecues, children’s play areas, hiking trail, and picnic tables. There is a  nature center where guests can explore walking trails or check out beautiful flora and fauna.

Google Map and Directions to El Dorado Park Lakes

More: El Dorado Park Lakes Fishing

Elizabeth Lake

This potentially 90-acre lake is partially in the Angeles National Forest, at a community also known as Elizabeth Lake, a little over 20 minutes west of Lancaster.

Note that this fairly high-elevation lake has gone dry during drought periods and may not have quite the range of gamefish species that have historically been available.

However, as of early 2024, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife was planning to stock hatchery trout in February.

Most of the access is along Elizabeth Lake Road, including the Elizabeth Day-Use Area, a picnic area with shoreline access and most basic amenities but not drinking water.

The lake is about an hour north of Los Angeles.

Hansen Dam Lake

Los Angeles’ Hansen Dam and Reservoir is home to a moderate-sized lake that is open throughout the year. 

Hansen Dam Lake has plenty of rainbow trout stocked during the fall and winter months.

Channel catfish also are stocked in the spring and should offer catches into the summer.

The lake has resident populations of bluegill, largemouth bass and carp.

The park also offers additional outdoor activities such as a bike trail, picnic area, playground, skate park and sports center. 

Google Map and Directions to Hansen Dam Lake

More: Hansen Dam Lake Fishing

Hollenbeck Park Lake

Hollenbeck Park’s pond offers a variety of fishing options, including wintertime trout stocking.

The lake also is stocked with catfish during the spring, and other fish you might hook include bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and common carp.

The lake is on South St. Louis Street alongside Interstate 5.

Additional park amenities include basketball courts, barbecue pits, picnic areas and a playground.

Google Map and Directions to Hollenbeck Park Lake

Jackson Lake

Located in the Big Pines area of the Angeles National Forest, this small lake is a relaxing place to go for fishing and boating.

It’s surface area is only 7 acres but provides anglers with a fair amount of fish species, including stocked rainbow trout and resident bluegill. Trout are generally stocked a few times during the winter.

Note that motor-powered boats are not allowed on the lake. Plus there isn’t a launch ramp.

Plan on using small non-motorized boats and float tubes you can carry to the shore.

Other activities include camping and swimming.

Google Map and Directions to Jackson Lake

John Anson Ford Park Lake

This small pond, located in a multi-sports and golf park, at times has been stocked with fish, including hatchery-raised channel catfish during relatively cool weather.

Paved trails provide excellent access for shore fishing.

The park is located in Bell Gardens, southeast of Los Angeles, near Downey.

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area Lake

This small urban lake is in Kenneth Hahn Park State Park close to Los Angeles.

Open daily, the lake is a well-loved fishing spot among anglers all year round.

Typically during winter, the lake is stocked with rainbow trout. Stocking might actually begin in the fall, if water conditions and fish supplies allow.

Meanwhile, catfish fishing is best in late spring into summer.

In addition, the lake also has bluegill and largemouth bass.

Other amenities in the park include athletic fields, barbeque area, baseball diamond, basketball court, picnic sites and playgrounds. 

Google Map and Directions to Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area Lake

La Mirada Lake

Located within the La Mirada Regional Park, this small, urban lake at times can offer great opportunities for anglers.

A popular time to fish is when rainbow trout are stocked during colder months, while catfish are stocked heading into warmer months and offer renewed opportuntity.

Resident fish species in the lake include bluegill, crappie, and largemouth bass and carp.   

The park is open daily. In addition to fishing, guests may enjoy the disc golf course, handball courts, playgrounds and tennis courts. 

Google Map and Directions to La Mirada Lake

Legg Lakes

This lake can be found in the city of South El Monte and looks like a series of three inter-connected lakes offering lots of bank fishing access.

It offers plenty of fishing opportunities for anglers, including multiple late fall through wintertime stockings of rainbow trout as well as channel catfish planted heading into the warmer season or in the fall.

On top of that, bass, bluegill, and crappie can also be found here.

The lakes also have picnic areas where families and friends can relax and eat together. For those looking for more outdoor activities, they have baseball fields and bicycle paths.

Google Map and Directions to Legg Lake

More: Legg Lake Fishing

Lincoln Park Lake

Found in Lincoln Park east of downtown LA, this park lake offers anglers with bluegill, carp, crappie, and largemouth bass.

Some years the lake has been stocked with rainbow trout during colder months, potentially beginning in the fall and stretching into winter.

It is typically stocked with channel catfish heading into the warmer moths.

The park also has barbecue pits, a baseball diamond, a playground, a picnic area, a  recreation center and a senior center, among other amenities.   

Google Map and Directions to Lincoln Park Lake

MacArthur Park Lake

This park lake tends to be stocked with rainbow trout once or twice a month during the late fall into winter months, which is when you’ll have to fish them to have a reasonable chance at catching them.

The pond also is typically stocked with catfish during the spring and/or the fall. Since catfish aren’t as sensitive to Southern California temperatures as trout, some of these fish may be catchable for some time afterward.

MacArthur Park is a very old city park in the Westlake neighborhood west of downtown Los Angeles. It also has picnic areas, playgrounds and a baseball diamond.

Google Map and Directions to MacArthur Park Lake

Pacific Ocean

There is a wide variety of saltwater fishing opportunity in Los Angeles.

For many anglers looking for a simple trip, the county’s many piers are the ticket to catching perch, sea bass, sargo and other common species. At times, halibut, mackerel and even sharks will find your baited hook.

Public ocean fishing piers include the Belmont, Cabrillo, Hermosa Beach, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica and Venice. There is a fishing platform at Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey.

Beach fishing can also be productive at times. CDFW lists potential spots to fish as Dockweiler, Malibu Lagoon, Nicholas Canyon, Robert H. Meyer, Santa Monica and Will Rogers state beaches and Zona Beach County Park.

Other bank opportunities may be available in King Harbor, Long Beach Harbor and Los Angeles Harbor.

For bigger trips, book an offshore fishing trip out of various locations in Los Angeles County. There are plenty of boats for hire around Long Beach and San Pedro, as well as down into Orange County.

Peck Road Park Lake

Anglers will find various species of fish here, including bluegill, catfish and largemouth bass. 

Family and friends may also be interested in the park’s amenities, such as barbecue, picnic tables, as well as trails for biking, hiking, and walking.

Google Map and Directions to Peck Road Park Lake

Puddingstone Lake

A 250-acre artificial lake in San Dimas, Puddingstone Lake is a promising place to cast your line, especially during the quieter seasons.

Anglers get to catch stocked trout during the winter season and catfish during the spring.

When the trout fishing fades, there will still be catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass and common carp in the reservoir.

This is a popular outdoor recreation destination that also offers camping, jet skiing, sailing, swimming and windsurfing.

Note that during the hotter months, the power boaters tend to take over and fishing generally takes a back seat.

Also commonly known as Puddingstone Reservoir, it’s easy to reach about 30 miles east of Los Angeles.

More: Puddingstone Lake Fishing

Pyramid Lake

This lake is a popular outdoor recreation spot in the mountains of northern Los Angeles County.

Anglers love fishing here because they get to catch a variety of species ranging from largemouth bass and even smallmouth bass, to bluegill and catfish, to crappie and trout.

The rainbow trout are stocked frequently from December through February, and then the bass and warmwater fishing takes off for the rest of the year.

Pyramid Lake remains open the entire year and those visiting may also enjoy boating, camping, hiking, biking and more.  

More: Pyramid Lake Fishing

Quail Lake

This modest water storage reservoir a handful of miles past Pyramid Lake seems like a desolate spot in the far northwestern corner of the county, but before you write it off, consider the fishing potential.

Quail Lake is a holding reservoir for water moving through the California Aqueduct, which carries all sorts of gamefish and the food they eat through California.

Quail Lake is best known for its at times excellent fishing for striped bass and channel catfish, and anglers also catch bass and other popular species here.

More: Quail Lake Fishing

Reseda Park Lake

Situated in the north part of Reseda Park, the 2.5-acre Reseda Park Lake is a shallow urban pond that attracts anglers looking for a good catch, especially if it is stocked with hatchery fish.

If it’s planted, the likely times are late fall to winter months for rainbow trout and spring or early summer for catfish.

Reseda Park also has barbecue pits, a baseball diamond, a children’s playground and some picnic tables.

Google Map and Directions to Reseda Park Lake

San Gabriel River and Forks

This stream in the San Gabriel Mountains is home to rainbow trout and has been stocked some in the past, but apparently not consistently in recent years.

There are modest numbers of wild trout, particularly in the cooler upper reaches such as the tributaries.

Lower in the river system you may find several non-native species, perhaps including carp, bass and panfish.

Meanwhile, those interested in camping can check out the East Fork.

Google Map and Directions to San Gabriel River

Santa Fe Reservoir

This 80-acre reservoir in a suburban park is likely to attract the most anglers when it’s freshly stocked, such as after it is planted with hatchery rainbow trout in the winter and channel catfish in the spring.

You may also catch some other resident species of fish, such as bass.

The lake is open to fishing year-round has grassy banks dotted with shade trees and picnic tables.

The lake is in the Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area, located in Irwindale about 30 minutes east of downtown Los Angeles.

Fishing in Nearby Counties

Ventura County: To the west, a short drive up the coast brings you to even more great ocean fishing as well as a few incredible fishing destinations in the form of Casitas Lake and Lake Piru.

Kern County: To the north, the Bakersfield area is home base for some great fisheries, especially Lake Isabella and the Kern River.

San Bernardino County: To the east, from excellent fishing lakes like Big Bear and Silverwood lakes and across the desert to Lake Havasu, this absolutely gigantic county has plenty of places to catch fish.

Orange County: To the south, being the smallest and most densely populated suburban area in Southern California doesn’t mean there isn’t much fishing. Check out the many park lakes and beaches teeming with fish to catch.

Riverside County: To the southwest, this long county has some excellent reservoirs like Diamond Valley Lake and Lake Perris in its western side clear out to the Colorado River on the Arizona border.