GENERAL CONDITIONS
This upcoming week we are expecting some warmer temperature. With no rain in the forecast we are expecting the lake to clear up a little. Trout fishing is slowly starting to pick back up again with several trout getting caught both on the shore line and trolling. Our last few plants have been in the new fish tube right next to the marina.

We've planted more than 10,000 trout and we usually get a plant ranging from 500 to 1,000 lbs every Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. Our last recorded plant was on January 15th with 750 lbs.

When you bring in a fish of 5 lbs or more, we will take your picture and give you a "Lake Chabot Whopper Club" button. If you catch a whopper over 8 lbs (trout), 10 lbs (catfish) or 5 lbs (bass), you will also receive a Lake Chabot Whopper mug. For beginning anglers, if you have any questions on what to use or where to go, please come down to the Marina and one of our friendly staff members will be more than happy to help you get set up on your fishing adventure. With it coming into the middle of winter, boat rentals have slowed down a lot, so take advantage of the small crowds and come take out a boat! Be wary of the wind in the afternoons though if you plan on taking out an electric, row or kayak!

We have converted back to our winter hours! Every day we will be opening at 7am and closing at 4:30pm and stopping boat rentals at 3:30pm. In February, we'll be changing our hours so be sure to check out for when that will be happening! We will be opening at 6:30 am and closing at 5:30 pm. We'll stop renting out boats at 4:30 so if you want to take one out, be sure to come in before then so you are sure to get one!

Download Our Fishing Hotspots Map (PDF)


TROUT
Trout fishing is starting to pick back up and water clarity is starting to improve as long as the weather stays sunny. There is plenty on trout stocked here for the last several month so make sure to get out here before it starts raining again. For now, make sure to use bait that is bright and stinky to lure the fish in and if you're going to be trolling, the best lures to use are Firetiger Rapalas, Kastmasters and Mirashads. To be safe, even adding on a flasher would help as well! When they do start to pick up, chartreuse and rainbow Powerbait will be the best baits to catch trout! When trolling, make sure to let out about a hundred feet of line and let the motor do all the work but also be wary of other anglers on the shoreline so your lines don't get caught!

We've had a few whoppers come in over the past week ranging from 5 to almost 10 lbs. On the 18th, Mark Suitts caught a 6 lb trout over in Half Moon Bay using a Rapala. A day later, Derek Lopez caught an 8.15 lb trout over in Raccoon using a Panther Martin. On the 20th, Jeff Smith caught a 9.77 lb trout over in Bass Cove using an F-5 Rapala. Stefanie Galvan (in photo at the top) caught a 5.19 lb trout over by the dam on the 21st using a Rapala.

BASS
Bass fishing has been slowing down as we enter into trout season. If you are fishing for bass, they are hitting mostly in the early mornings and evenings on plastics, jigs and hula grubs. A good spot to fish for bass would be near the island, or the tulles by Raccoon Point. Most of the anglers are throwing Senkos, drop shots and Brush hogs to get the fish to come out from their deep, off-shoreline structure. Livewells can be provided upon request thanks to Walton's Pond. Please practice catch and release for bass, as they are not stocked in the lake and their population depends on you!

CATFISH
Catfishing is slow this time due to the water temperature. Look for better catfishing conditions when the water warms back up. Typically around this time, catfish are going to be located by Raccoon point, but they have also been around the Half Moon Bay area, behind the island, and Coot's Landing. Anglers are using mackerel, anchovies and chicken liver for bait, as well as night crawlers. We are done planting catfish for the year, so grab your most stinky bait and come on out before all the catfish swim back down to the bottom of the lake!

HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday -- Sunday: Boat rentals are from 7:00am - 3:30pm. Boats are due in by 4:30pm.
Hours subject to change based on weather conditions and light levels.
We encourage all anglers to report their stories, comments, or concerns to the Marina. Or, email swong@calparksco.com. Thanks again for choosing Lake Chabot as your recreation destination.