Fishing Trinity Lake in Northern California

Bass - March through September; Trout - Year Round

Trinity Lake is open year round with reduced limit during general trout season closure. Trinity Lake has roughly 145 miles of shoreline, it supports excellent populations of largemouth-smallmouth bass, rainbow-brown trout, catfish, and kokanee salmon are also available, which provide the angler fair to excellent year-round lake fishing.

Trinity lake currently holds the state record smallmouth bass, weighing 9 pounds 10 ounce, it was taken March 20, 1976 near the Trinity Dam, by Tom Brady of Weaverville. Trinity Lake is recognized as one of the state's top bass fisheries.

Trinity Lake maintains a higher level then other lakes in the state and will continue to provide excellent fishing for bass, trout, catfish, and kokanee.

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The experts say Trinity Lake will very probably have its finest bass fishing season in recent history this year and they are quite sure that even larger smallmouth, for possible state records, are swimming in Trinity lake, While the majority of anglers focus on Trinity lake for spring bass fishing, others target on the intercepting tributaries for quality Spring trout fishing. Waters such as Swift Creek, Stuart's Fork and East Fork of the Trinity are all promising waters and attract Spring movements of trout.

Rainbows and brown trout along with kokanee salmon will be available all season but will probably be best from April till mid-summer. These fish may opt for deeper, cooler water. Catfish are always available in Trinity Lake, however, later on this season when it becomes a little lower and warmer these whiskered monsters, both brown bullheads and whites, could very well be prime for the taking.