Fishing at Whiskeytown NRA

Releasing a fish (NPS)

 

 

Fishing at Whiskeytown: More Than Just a Catch

When you think of fishing, words like patience, relaxation, challenge, and memories come to mind. But here at Whiskeytown, fishing also means stewardship, conservation, and preservation.

Whiskeytown Lake offers an ideal setting for anglers of all levels, with species such as rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and bass. But beyond the catch, fishing here is about engaging with the ecosystem and fostering responsibility for the natural world.

Stewardship and Conservation

Anglers play a critical role in maintaining the balance of Whiskeytown's aquatic life. By following regulations such as catch limits and practicing catch-and-release, you help protect fish populations and preserve the environment.

Key guidelines include:

• Adhering to catch limits
• Using barbless hooks
• Practicing catch-and-release

These practices ensure the sustainability of fish species and their habitats for future generations.

Fishing Regulations

Before heading out, familiarize yourself with the park’s fishing regulations. Some areas may be off-limits during spawning seasons, and environmentally friendly gear is encouraged to minimize harm to wildlife.

 

Know Before You Go

Before casting your line at Whiskeytown, it’s important to be informed about fishing requirements and regulations that help protect the park’s aquatic environment. Make sure you have the necessary licenses, understand the regulations, and take steps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Fishing License Requirements

A Fishing License from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is needed for anyone age 16 years or older to fish in the park. Follow this link to find out more about different types of licenses and specific regulations California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The nearest location to obtain a fishing license is Rite Aid at 1801 Eureka Way, Redding, CA.

Fishing Regulations

Fishing regulations at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area are established by the state of California. Some pertinent regulations are as follows:

• Live or dead minnows or other bait fish, amphibians (such as frogs) and non-preserved fish eggs or roe are not allowed to be used as bait.
• Stream fishing season is between the last Saturday in April until November 15. Streams are defined as waters entering the lake above the last riffle and Clear Creek below Whiskeytown Dam.
• Clear Creek below Whiskeytown Dam is catch and release only. Barbless hooks and artificial lures must be used.
• Daily limits are as follows: 5 kokanee salmon and 5 trout of any species, any combination of 5 largemouth, smallmouth or spotted bass, any combination of 25 sunfish (crappie and bluegill). Bass species must be 12” or larger in length.
• Trout and salmon species may only be fished for during daylight hours; defined as one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset.

Fish Consumption Advisories in National Park Waters

The Environmental Protection Agency, states, territories, and tribes provide advice on fish and shellfish caught in the waters in their jurisdiction to help people make informed decisions about eating fish. Advisories are recommendations to limit your consumption of, or avoid eating entirely, certain species of fish or shellfish from specific bodies of water due to chemical or biological contamination.

Fish is part of a healthy balanced diet, but eating wild fish caught in park waters is not risk free. Parks are “islands”, but the much larger “ocean” that surrounds them affects the natural resources inside a park. Studies have shown that some fish within Whiskeytown Lake have elevated levels of mercury, most likely as a result of historic mining activities. Due to the elevated mercury levels, the following recommendations have been made by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA):

• Women ages 18-49 and children ages 1-17 should not eat Sacramento Pikeminnow. They may safely eat a maximum of seven total servings per week of Brook Trout, or two servings per week of sunfish species, or one serving per week of black bass species or Sacramento Sucker.

• Women ages 50 and older and men ages 18 and older may safety eat a maximum of seven total servings per week of Brook Trout, or six servings per week of sunfish species, or two servings per week of black bass species or Sacramento Sucker, or one serving per week of Sacramento Pikeminnow.

• One serving is an eight-ounce fillet, measured prior to cooking, which is roughly the size and thickness of your hand. Children should be given smaller servings.

• For fish species found in Whiskeytown Lake that are not included in this advisory, OEHHA recommends following the statewide advisory for eating fish from California lakes and reservoirs without site-specific advice.

For further information regarding fish consumption from Whiskeytown Lake, please see the following advisory.

How to Prevent Aquatic Invasive Species

Imagine your favorite fishing spot and the wonderful memories. Things may look fine but underneath the surface there is a serious threat. Everything you remembered is now cemented together in a sharp, smelly mess. Invaders have wiped out the fish species you used to catch.

Aquatic invasive species are not native to an ecosystem. Their introduction causes, or is likely to cause, harm to the economy, the environment, or to human health. Aquatic invasive species are a growing risk to parks and their values. In the United States alone, there are more than 250 non-native aquatic species.

To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, people launching vessels at any body of water are subject to watercraft inspections and are strongly encouraged to clean, drain and dry their motorized and non-motorized boats, including personal watercraft, and any equipment that comes into contact with the water before and after recreating.

Take the following steps both before traveling to and before leaving a waterbody to prevent spreading invasive species, improve your experience and safeguard California waterways:

• CLEAN — inspect exposed surfaces and remove all plants and organisms,
• DRAIN — all water, including water contained in lower outboard units, live-wells and bait buckets, and
• DRY — allow the watercraft to thoroughly dry between launches. Watercraft should be kept dry for at least five days in warm weather and up to 30 days in cool weather.

 

Fishing Licenses FAQ's

Ensure you’re prepared with the proper fishing licenses and information before heading out on the water. Below are answers to common questions about fishing licenses in and around Whiskeytown.

Do I need a fishing license?

Anyone 16 years of age or older needs a California state fishing license.

Can I get a fishing license in the park?

No.

Where can I get a fishing license in Redding?

The nearest location is the Rite Aid store at 1801 Eureka Way, [phone]. Further afield, there is a California Department of Fish and Wildlife branch office on Locust Street near DMV, open on weekdays only [phone]. Other places to buy a license include large retailers with sporting goods sections like Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Do I have to display my fishing license?

Anglers no longer must display their license on their outer clothing above the waist. However, their sport fishing license must still be in their immediate possession while fishing.

Where can I go for a California fishing regulations booklet?

Usually you can pick one up wherever fishing licenses are sold, or online.

 

Fishing at Whiskeytown FAQ's

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area follows specific fishing regulations designed to protect both fish populations and the overall health of the ecosystem. Review these regulations before you start fishing to ensure a responsible and enjoyable experience.

What kind of fish do you have in the lake?

• Brook, brown and rainbow trout
• Kokanee salmon and some Chinook salmon
• Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass
• Sunfish – bluegill and crappie
• Brown bullhead and channel catfish
• Sacramento pikeminnow and hardhead
• Sacramento sucker

Where can I get a fishing report on Whiskeytown Lake?

We recommend doing on online search for “Whiskeytown fishing report” to bring up a variety of Internet sources. You could also call Phil’s Propellers at [phone] for the latest information.

We don’t have a report available here at the park.

Where are the best places to fish?

Near the mouth of streams can be very productive in the early fall when kokanee, rainbow, and brook trout school up in anticipation of swimming upstream to spawn. The Carr Powerhouse area is very popular.

In the spring and summer, bass and bluegill will generally be near the shore and typically around structures like downed trees, logs, willows, stumps, or rocks and can be effectively caught from shore. Perhaps the most popular fish in Whiskeytown Lake is kokanee salmon.Catching these fish generally requires special tackle such as a boat with downriggers and a trolling motor as they are usually found in the deeper cold waters of the lake.

What kinds of bait are prohibited here?

Live or dead minnows or other bait fish, amphibians (such as frogs) and non-preserved fish eggs or roe are not allowed to be used as bait here. Live crawdads may be used as bait.

When are the streams open to fishing?

Stream fishing is allowed in northern California between the last Saturday in April and November 15th. Streams are defined as being moving water above the last riffle before entering the lake or all of Clear Creek below the Clair A. Hill Whiskeytown Dam.

Can I fish from the boat launching ramps? On the swimming beaches? From motor vehicle bridges?

No, fishing is not allowed at any of these areas. Fishing is prohibited within 200 feet of public rafts, floats, launch ramps or docks designated for water sports.

Can I keep fish from Whiskeytown?

Yes. You may keep 5 kokanee and 5 trout species per day. Five combined bass species, or 25 combined sunfish (bluegill and crappie) species are also allowed per day.

Clear Creek below Clair A. Hill Whiskeytown Dam is catch and release only. Artificial lures with barbless hooks must be used when fishing this stream.

When can I fish for trout and kokanee salmon?

You can fish for trout and kokanee from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

When can I fish for bass, catfish, and all other species except for trout and salmon?

You can fish at any time of the day or night for any species except for trout and salmon. However, you are not allowed to use a spotlight to attract them.

Do you have any areas where disabled people can fish?

Yes, there are two accessible fishing piers on the lake: at Oak Bottom across from the marina and at the Whiskey Creek Launch Ramp.

Where can I buy bait and tackle?

The store at Oak Bottom Marina carries both and is open generally every day from Memorial Day through Labor Day. They have a selection of lures and power bait, as well as live worms and night crawlers. The store is located at the docks, floating on the water.

The other nearest store is Jay’s Market, east of the park on highway 299 in the nearby town of Shasta (known colloquially as Old Shasta). In Redding, retailers with sporting goods sections, like Walmart and Sportsman’s Warehouse, carry a large selection. The Fly Shop, located at 4140 Churn Creek Road (530) 222 -3555), is a specialty merchandiser catering to fly fishers.

Is Whiskeytown Lake stocked?

Yes, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife periodically stocks sport-sized trout in the lake and in Clear Creek above the lake.

When is the lake stocked?

For trout planting, call [phone] for recorded information from Fish and Wildlife. You can also find this information on their website.

What district is Whiskeytown located in?

Whiskeytown is located within the Sierra region.

What are the bag limits for the lake?

• 5 for any combination of trout and salmon species

• 5 for any combination of bass species

• 25 for sunfish (crappie and bluegill)

What are the size limits on fish?

Bass must be a minimum of 12 inches long.

Are there any special regulations within the park that I should be aware of?

Yes, Clear Creek below Clair A. Hill Whiskeytown Dam is subject to special regulations:

• Only barbless hooks may be used.
• Salmon and trout are catch and release only.
• Artificial lures must be used.

 

Fishing Throughout the National Park