Black Butte Lake Fishing
Glenn County and Tehama County, CDFW Northern Region, 4,500 acres.
- 3launches
- 4,500acres
- 470 ftelevation
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District, Public domain
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Taking a closer look at Black Butte Lake
In Glenn County and Tehama County, Black Butte Lake is a lake managed from the CDFW Northern Region. The Fishing Guide gives its surface as 4,500 acres. The entry gives 470 feet of elevation. Orland is the nearest incorporated town, about 10 miles away. CDEC rates capacity at 143,700 acre-feet, held by Black Butte Rereg Dam on Stony Creek.
Its CDFW species flags are black bass, catfish, sunfish and crappie and striped bass. Boaters have 3 mapped launches, 3 of them named.
Agency notes for Black Butte Lake
“Located on Stony Creek, just off the valley floor, Black Butte Lake is home to a small population of striped bass.”
“This area is subject to high winds.”
“Marina, store, picnic area and RV campsites.”
Quoted from the CDFW Fishing Guide entry for Black Butte Lake (source). Checked October 2026.
Access to Black Butte Lake by boat
- Black Butte Lake (Buckhorn Boat Ramp & Marina)marina launch, restrooms, US Army Corps of Engineers
- Black Butte Lake (Buttes Ramp)boat launch
- Black Butte Lake (Eagle Pass Ramp)6 lanes, 250 trailer spaces, restrooms, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The launches on Black Butte Lake are run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1) and US Army Corps of Engineers (1).
DBW Boating Facilities, USFS recreation sites and OpenStreetMap slipways, checked October 2026.
Black Butte Lake reservoir level
CDEC station BLB (US Army Corps of Engineers), reading dated 2026-10-09. Station page with the live chart.
Catch options on Black Butte Lake
CDFW Fishing Guide species flags; CDFW publishes no fuller species list for most waters.
Bag limits around Black Butte Lake
The table below is the full rule set for Black Butte Lake.
| Species | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass | 5 a day | 12 in minimum | All year |
| Trout | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Striped bass | 2 a day | 18 in minimum | All year except closures in special regulations |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Catfish | no limit | none | All year, except closures under special regulations |
| Kokanee and inland salmon | 5 a day | none | All year |
District regulations for Black Butte Lake: the Valley District.
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026. All California limits.
Black Butte Lake against nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation (ft) | Launches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Butte Lake | 4,500 | 470 | 3 | |
| Lely Aquatic Park Pond | 11 miles east | 1.5 | 237 | 0 |
| Stony Gorge Reservoir | 18 miles southwest | 1,274 | 520 | 1 |
| Plaskett Meadows Pond | 26 miles west | 3.8 | 5,951 | 0 |
| East Park Reservoir | 32 miles south | 1,663 | 1,202 | 0 |
| Square Lake | 32 miles northwest | 0.8 | 6,998 | 0 |
More near Black Butte Lake
CDFW lakes within a drive of Black Butte Lake
- Lely Aquatic Park Pond11 miles east
- Stony Gorge Reservoir18 miles southwest
- Plaskett Meadows Pond26 miles west
- East Park Reservoir32 miles south
- Square Lake32 miles northwest
Bait counters close to Black Butte Lake
- Moe's Marketbait and tackle shop, Orland, 9 miles
- Rod and Reel Guybait and tackle shop, Corning, 14 miles
- Major Outdoor Supplysporting goods store, Willows, 20 miles
License sellers around Black Butte Lake
- Orland Chevronlicense agent, 9 miles
- South Ave Ace Hardwarelicense agent, 12 miles
- Walmart Store #2053department store, 19 miles
Where to stay near Black Butte Lake
- Orland10 miles
- Corning14 miles
- Hamilton City19 miles
County guides covering Black Butte Lake
- Glenn Countyseat: Willows
- Tehama Countyseat: Red Bluff
Species on the line at Black Butte Lake
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: Hardyplants, CC0 1.0
Photo: Scott Harden, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Steven G. Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0
Short answers on Black Butte Lake
How far is Black Butte Lake from town?
Glenn County and Tehama County, about 10 miles from Orland.
How big a water is Black Butte Lake?
4,500 acres of surface.
What launch serves Black Butte Lake?
3 launches on record, including Black Butte Lake (Eagle Pass Ramp).
Which species does CDFW list for Black Butte Lake?
CDFW notes black bass, catfish, sunfish and crappie and striped bass.
What does CDFW plant in Black Butte Lake?
Not in the current planting records.
Does Black Butte Lake have its own regulations?
Nothing special is listed.
What license do anglers at Black Butte Lake buy?
From 16 up, a license; residents pay $64.54 a year.
Is Black Butte Lake drawn down right now?
The station reading from CDEC is shown above.
Where is the nearest tackle to Black Butte Lake?
Try Moe's Market, roughly 9 miles off.
Set aside a day for Black Butte Lake
Check limits and fees before you load up.