The fishing lakes in this article are all within a quick drive if you live in Santa Ana or nearby communities in Orange County.
We chose these lakes not just because they’re close but because, at times, they can offer truly excellent fishing. A big reason? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife regularly stocks these lakes with catchable trout or catfish at different times of the year.
Once you’ve learned what lakes are exceptionally close to Santa Ana, stick around for just a moment to find even more fishing spots only slightly farther from home. We will also link you to some of our simple angling guides to help you catch more of the popular freshwater gamefish available in Orange County.
Centennial Lake
Centennial Lake is in a Santa Ana city park and attracts the most anglers once it’s stocked with either trout or catfish.
Expect the trout truck to deliver several times from fall into winter as long as water conditions and trout supplies are agreeable.
Catfish prefer somewhat warmer water, and these whiskery gamefish might be planted from spring to early fall.
A fishing dock and nice pathways offer plenty of shore fishing spots for anglers of all abilities.
Centennial Park is on the west side of Santa Ana, just off Edinger Avenue along the Santa Ana River.
Eisenhower Park Lake
This nice park lake in Orange is also in our roundup of Anaheim fishing spots, but at only about 20 minutes north, we thought it was worth mentioning in this Santa Ana roundup as well.
The reason? The 16-acre lake is regularly stocked with trout during cooler months and also likely to get some channel catfish planted now and then between spring and early fall.
This is a great spot to bring your picnic lunch along with your fishing gear.
See the Eisenhower Park webpage for more.
Irvine Lake
By most measures, this 700-plus-acre lake is the premier freshwater fishing spot in Orange County, often worth a 25-minute or longer drive east into the hills beyond Tustin.
The most productive fishing here happens soon after it is stocked, which usually means trout in the cooler months and catfish when it’s a bit warmer.
Largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and other species also reside here.
Note that fishing at the lake is open only on certain days and with a range of restrictions, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the details before finalizing your fishing plans.
A good place to start is with our more detailed guide to fishing at Irvine Lake.
Irvine Regional Park Lake
Also heading toward the hills, this small lake in a popular, multi-faceted park is best fished once hatchery rainbow trout arrive in a truck. This usually happens a handful of times during the cooler months, likely beginning in late fall and continuing into winter.
Catfish stocking is likely to keep the action going in warmer months.
Fishing is really just part of the action at Irvine Regional Park. There are also horseback riding trails, small watercraft rentals, lots of picnicking, and other things to do on the outskirts of Orange.
Check the park’s webpage for specifics.
Mile Square Park Lake
This 20-acre lake in a Fountain Valley park is among the local waters often stocked with hatchery rainbow trout during the cooler months.
Expect trout fishing to be excellent for a few days and likely worthwhile for up to a few weeks after each planting, which can occur periodically from late fall into the winter.
Catfish will take over when they are first stocked, likely starting about March. A few additional catfish plantings are likely from spring and on into the summer or early fall. And then trout season will soon come around again.
The fishing lake is in the northeastern corner of the park, at the intersection of Edinger Avenue and Euclid Street. Shore fishing access is very good.
Mile Square Regional Park also features golf, archery, and various other outdoor activities and sports.