Trout anglers in Southern California take note: Trabuco Creek, Orange County’s mountain stream, tends to spring into action in the spring.
In 2024, for example, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife scheduled trout stockings in the stream in both April and May.
The area stocked in this stream is upstream of the community of Trabuco Canyon along Trabuco Creek Road, several miles upstream of Live Oak Canyon Road and O’Neil Regional Park.
This small stream suffers during drought periods and can go completely dry in significant sections. However, during wetter years, it can be stocked several times when stream flows and temperatures allow the survival of cold-loving trout.
Spring is often your best bet for good catches here after it’s stocked, although less often it has been stocked in other seasons.
The typical trout fishing methods, including artificial flies and lures, will work here.
The stream runs through the Cleveland National Forest. You’ll need an Adventure Pass, which now includes a digital option.
Trabuco Canyon Road can be pretty rough. Some visitors suggest high-clearance vehicles.
Note that there is a stream section downriver from the stocked area where fishing is prohibited. See the annual regulations for current rules.
Find more places to fish in Orange County, California.