Castaic Lake Fishing
Los Angeles County, CDFW South Coast Region, 2,200 acres.
- 2launches
- 2,200acres
- 1,500 ftelevation
Pick for black bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo: brent, CC BY 2.0
Castaic Lake from an angler’s seat
The lake called Castaic Lake lies in Los Angeles County and falls in the CDFW South Coast Region. At 2,200 acres, that is the size CDFW publishes. Its elevation is roughly 1,500 feet. About 11 miles separate it from Santa Clarita, the nearest town. Storage capacity behind Castaic Dam (Castaic Creek) is 325,000 acre-feet.
CDFW notes black bass, catfish, sunfish and crappie, striped bass and hatchery trout here. Launch records list 2 mapped launches for the lake, 2 of them named. Stocking stopped showing after 2023 on the CDFW entry. You will find restrooms, per the Fishing Guide.
For the black bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 What the Fishing Guide says about Castaic Lake
“Surrounded by grasslands and oak valleys in rolling hill country, this lake offers year-round fishing with many bays and coves.”
“The lake level fluctuates a great deal.”
“Marina, bait & tackle.”
“Water skiing and swimming OK.”
Quoted from the CDFW Fishing Guide entry for Castaic Lake (source). Checked October 2026.
Where boats go in on Castaic Lake
- Castaic Lake State Recreation Area (East Launch Ramp)boat launch, restrooms
- Castaic Lake State Recreation Area (West Launch Ramp)boat launch, restrooms
Where to put in near Castaic Lake
- Castaic Lake State Recreation Area (Lagoon Launch Ramp)Castaic Lake, 3 miles south
- Lake Piru Marina (Lake Piru Concessions)Lake Piru, 9 miles southwest
- Lake Piru Recreation Area (Boat Launch Facility)Lake Piru, 9 miles southwest
- Pyramid Lake (Emigrant Landing)Lake Pyramid, 13 miles northwest
- Pyramid Lake MarinaLake Pyramid, 13 miles northwest
- Elizabeth LakeElizabeth Lake, 15 miles northeast
DBW Boating Facilities, USFS recreation sites and OpenStreetMap slipways, checked October 2026.
Storage and elevation at Castaic Lake
CDEC station CAS, reading for Oct 12, 2026 12:00 am Pacific. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026 7:33 pm ET. Station page with the chart.
Castaic Lake species list
CDFW Fishing Guide species flags; CDFW publishes no fuller species list for most waters.
What you may keep at Castaic Lake
Special regulations naming Castaic Lake:
- Black bass open season: All year; Size (total length): 12-inch minimum.; Bag limit: 5T14 CCR §5.00(b)
| Species | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass | 5 a day | 12 in minimum | All year |
| Trout | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Striped bass | 10 a day | none | All year |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Catfish | 10 a day | none | All year |
| Kokanee and inland salmon | 5 a day | none | All year |
CDFW places Castaic Lake in the Southern District.
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026. All California limits.
Neighbor lakes compared with Castaic Lake
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation (ft) | Launches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castaic Lake | 2,200 | 1,500 | 2 | |
| Castaic Lagoon | 2 miles south | 180 | 1,000 | 2 |
| Lake Piru | 8 miles southwest | 1,240 | 1,000 | 3 |
| Pyramid Lake | 13 miles northwest | 1,177.5 | 2,581 | 4 |
| Elizabeth Lake | 15 miles northeast | 3,550 | 1 | |
| Rancho Simi Community Park Lake | 21 miles southwest | 2.5 | 812 | 0 |
The ground around Castaic Lake
More still water near Castaic Lake
- Castaic Lagoon2 miles south
- Lake Piru8 miles southwest
- Pyramid Lake13 miles northwest
- Elizabeth Lake15 miles northeast
- Rancho Simi Community Park Lake21 miles southwest
Where to stock up near Castaic Lake
- Lake Castaic Marinamarina, Castaic, 3 miles
- Pro Tackle Solutionsbait and tackle shop, Valencia, 7 miles
- Damiki Fishing Luresbait and tackle shop, Valencia, 7 miles
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #104sporting goods store, Valencia, 9 miles
- Turner's Outdoorsman #28sporting goods store, Santa Clarita, 9 miles
- Tackle Express, 22941 Soledad Canyon Rdbait and tackle shop, Santa Clarita, 9 miles
License counters by Castaic Lake
- 7-eleven #26945license agent, 3 miles
- Gallions Cornerlicense agent, 3 miles
- Walmart Store #5162department store, 7 miles
Towns ringing Castaic Lake
- Castaic4 miles
- Santa Clarita11 miles
- Lake Hughes14 miles
Counties holding Castaic Lake
- Los Angeles Countyseat: Los Angeles
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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The fish of Castaic Lake
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: PlanespotterA320, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Purefury182, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
Things to know before Castaic Lake
Where does Castaic Lake lie in California?
In Los Angeles County, about 11 miles from Santa Clarita.
How large is Castaic Lake on the CDFW entry?
The published figure is 2,200 acres.
Is Castaic Lake open to trailered boats?
2 launches are mapped, starting with Castaic Lake State Recreation Area (East Launch Ramp).
What can I catch at Castaic Lake?
Expect black bass, catfish, sunfish and crappie, striped bass and hatchery trout.
Are fish planted in Castaic Lake?
No current plants are on record.
Do statewide limits apply at Castaic Lake?
Black bass open season: All year; Size (total length): 12-inch minimum.; Bag limit: 5
Is Castaic Lake open to anglers with no California license?
A California sport fishing license from age 16; resident annual is $64.54.
What is the water level at Castaic Lake?
Check the CDEC reading on this page.
Is bait sold near Castaic Lake?
Lake Castaic Marina is closest, about 3 miles away.
Head up to Castaic Lake
The license page lists every California limit.