Fishing Forecast for Castaic Lake

Fishing at Castaic Lake

Castaic Lake sits north of Santa Clarita, California, and has a long history of great bass fishing. It’s split into two lakes: the larger Upper Lake and the Lower Lake, or “Lagoon,” below the dam.

Both offer bass fishing, but the Upper Lake is especially known for the huge largemouth bass anglers have landed over the years. It also holds striped bass and gets stocked with rainbow trout during the cooler months. For boating, there are two launch ramps: the West Ramp and the Main Ramp on the east side. Check current ramp closures before going rather than assuming both will be available.

For shore fishing, there are banks and coves to explore in the areas open to fishing. Be ready to do some walking to find a spot you like. You can also fish from designated sections of the dam. Fishing from the launch ramps and docks themselves isn’t allowed, so leave those clear for boats.

The Lagoon offers a quieter setting, with bass, catfish, bluegill and crappie to fish for. Its smaller size and restrictions on gasoline-powered boating give it a different feel from the Upper Lake. There’s a fishing pier, too, but check its status before planning around it. This forecast is for the Upper Lake, not the Lagoon, so don’t assume conditions will be identical at both.

Plan on paying for parking when you use the park’s lots at either lake. Check park hours and access updates before leaving, especially if you’re aiming for an early start.