Lake Cachuma Fishing
Santa Barbara County, CDFW South Coast Region, 3,167 acres.
- 2launches
- 3,167acres
- 754 ftelevation
Pick for black bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0
Taking a closer look at Lake Cachuma
In Santa Barbara County, Lake Cachuma is a lake managed from the CDFW South Coast Region. The Fishing Guide gives its surface as 3,167 acres. The entry gives 754 feet of elevation. Goleta is the nearest incorporated town, about 11 miles away. CDEC rates capacity at 193,305 acre-feet, held by Cachuma Dam on Santa Ynez.
Its CDFW species flags are black bass, catfish, sunfish and crappie and hatchery trout. Boaters have 2 mapped launches, 2 of them named. The entry lists 2019 as the last year stocked. Amenities on file: fuel and wheelchair access.
For the black bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Agency notes for Lake Cachuma
“Located in an area with many bays and coves and surrounded by rolling foothills of oaks and grassland.”
“Marina, bait & tackle, boat rentals, propane, store, resort, RV sites with hookups, sailing, equestrian trails, showers, and golf.”
“WCB accessible access to water.”
“No swimming and no water skiing.”
Quoted from the CDFW Fishing Guide entry for Lake Cachuma (source). Checked October 2026.
Access to Lake Cachuma by boat
- Cachuma Lake Catamaran Launchboat launch
- Cachuma Lake Recreation Area Boat Launch Facilityboat launch, County of Santa Barbara Parks Division
The launches on Lake Cachuma are run by County of Santa Barbara Parks Division (1).
DBW Boating Facilities, USFS recreation sites and OpenStreetMap slipways, checked October 2026.
Lake Cachuma reservoir level
CDEC station CCH, reading for Oct 11, 2026 1:00 am Pacific. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026 6:32 pm ET. Station page with the chart.
Catch options on Lake Cachuma
CDFW Fishing Guide species flags; CDFW publishes no fuller species list for most waters.
Bag limits around Lake Cachuma
The table below is the full rule set for Lake Cachuma.
| 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 |
District regulations for Lake Cachuma: the Southern District.
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026. All California limits.
Lake Cachuma against nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation (ft) | Launches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Cachuma | 3,167 | 754 | 2 | |
| Lake Casitas | 37 miles east | 2,463 | 518 | 11 |
| Lopez Lake | 52 miles northwest | 950 | 520 | 2 |
| Cuddy Creek Pond | 59 miles east | 0.8 | 4,688 | 0 |
| Lake Webb | 59 miles northeast | 873 | 293 | 0 |
| Santa Margarita Lake | 60 miles northwest | 800 | 1,300 | 3 |
More near Lake Cachuma
CDFW lakes within a drive of Lake Cachuma
- Lake Casitas37 miles east
- Lopez Lake52 miles northwest
- Cuddy Creek Pond59 miles east
- Lake Webb59 miles northeast
- Santa Margarita Lake60 miles northwest
Bait counters close to Lake Cachuma
- Fish With Jeffbait and tackle shop, Santa Barbara, under a mile
- Lake Cachuma Marinamarina, Santa Barbara, 11 miles
- Sunrize Tackle Incbait and tackle shop, Goleta, 12 miles
- Rockhopper Tacklebait and tackle shop, Buellton, 14 miles
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #064sporting goods store, Santa Barbara, 15 miles
- Hook Line & Sinker, 2259 Las Positas Rdbait and tackle shop, Santa Barbara, 16 miles
License sellers around Lake Cachuma
- Blue Water Hunterlicense agent, 19 miles
Where to stay near Lake Cachuma
- Goleta11 miles
- Santa Barbara18 miles
- Carpinteria28 miles
County guides covering Lake Cachuma
- Santa Barbara Countyseat: Santa Barbara
Reels and a lip grip from Piscifun
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Short answers on Lake Cachuma
How far is Lake Cachuma from town?
Santa Barbara County, about 11 miles from Goleta.
How big a water is Lake Cachuma?
3,167 acres of surface.
What launch serves Lake Cachuma?
2 launches on record, including Cachuma Lake Catamaran Launch.
Which species does CDFW list for Lake Cachuma?
CDFW notes black bass, catfish, sunfish and crappie and hatchery trout.
What does CDFW plant in Lake Cachuma?
Not in the current planting records.
Does Lake Cachuma have its own regulations?
Nothing special is listed.
What license do anglers at Lake Cachuma buy?
From 16 up, a license; residents pay $64.54 a year.
Is Lake Cachuma drawn down right now?
The station reading from CDEC is shown above.
Where is the nearest tackle to Lake Cachuma?
Try Fish With Jeff, roughly under a mile off.
Set aside a day for Lake Cachuma
Check limits and fees before you load up.