At one time, the California Bay Area abounded with large populations of wild-trout fishing lakes and streams. Although, over time, water for city and agriculture use have depleted many of these original fisheries, a substantial number of natural and stocked fishing sites still exist and trout fishing still draws throngs of fishing enthusiasts to the area.
Prime Locations
Many popular fishing areas in the Bay are stocked reservoirs; some examples include: Lexington Reservoir in Los Gatos, Del Valle Reservoir in Alameda County, and Coyote Reservoir in Gilroy, Santa Clara County.
However, native populations of wild rainbow trout, many of which grow to more than 20 inches long, still teem in Putah Creek where fly fishing reigns.
Seasons
Experts at the Trails.com website claim that spring, winter or fall are the optimal trout fishing seasons in the Bay Area since cold-water trout get highly stressed in the Bay Area's hot summer temperatures.
Regulations
California requires every angler over the age of 16 to have a fishing license in possession when fishing its coastline, lakes and streams. The state offers alternatives to the more expensive yearly license, in the forms of one-, two- and 10-day permits. A second rod stamp must be purchased if the angler intends to use the second rod, the exception being for waters where only barbless hooks or only artificial lures are used.
Note, as of 2010, license agents charge a 5 percent handling fee.
Because many California trout populations have been placed under the Federal Endangered Species Act, the bag limit for trout as of 2010 is five.
Types
Although California has six different species of native trout, as well as some non-native varieties, the Bay Area is known mainly for coastal rainbow and steelhead.
The popular native coastal rainbow trout, although extremely hybridized, resides in the Bay Area's well-stocked rivers and lakes.
Steelhead, one of the species on the endangered list, runs both in the summer and in the winter. This anadromous fish spawns in fresh water, matures in the ocean, and then migrates back to freshwater to lay eggs and die.
Tips
California Fishing Online recommends using light fishing gear such as a 5-foot ultra-light rod with a live bait, size 10 hook, small lures, or spinner spoons lighter than ¼ ounce. Minnow plugs should be no longer than 4 inches.
Be sure that the hook is completely covered with the bait and appears as natural as possible.
Trout have an acute sense of smell, so be sure to avoid any unnatural smells on hands such as cigarette smoke. Rubbing hands with dirt or mud before applying the bait helps alleviate this problem.
Wear dull-colored clothing, such as dull greens and browns, that blends into the scenery.
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