Lake Elsinore Fishing
Riverside County, CDFW Inland Deserts Region, 3,278 acres.
- 6launches
- 3,278acres
- 1,242 ftelevation
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Lake Elsinore, the short version
Look for Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, a lake in the Inland Deserts Region of CDFW. Its listed surface area is 3,278 acres. It sits near 1,242 feet above sea level. From Lake Elsinore, the drive covers about 2 miles in a straight line.
The Fishing Guide marks black bass, catfish, sunfish and crappie and striped bass. The lake has 6 mapped launches on file, 2 of them named. CDFW notes restrooms on site.
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“The sport fishery at Lake Elsinore is improving due to a combination of carp removal, less lake fluctuation and aeration, all of which have made the fishery more amenable to largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.”
“Surveys show that carp have dropped from 90 percent of the fish population in Elsinore in 2003 to less than 43 percent.”
“Since 2003, the Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto Watersheds Authority (LESJWA) has contracted for the removal of 1.3 million pounds of carp.”
“In addition, 26,000 pounds of hybrid striped bass or wipers, a sterile cross between white bass and striped bass, have been planted.”
“These fish are aggressive predators and readily eat carp fry and young.”
“Located in Southern California southwest of the town of Lake Elsinore.”
Quoted from the CDFW Fishing Guide entry for Lake Elsinore (source). Checked October 2026.
Launch points on Lake Elsinore
- Lake Elsinore Recreation Area4 lanes, 153 trailer spaces, restrooms
- Lake Elsinore West Marina & RV Park12 lanes, 300 trailer spaces, restrooms
- Boat launch, Lake Elsinoreboat launch
- Boat launch, Lake Elsinoreboat launch
- Boat launch, Lake Elsinoreboat launch
- Boat launch, Lake Elsinoreboat launch
DBW Boating Facilities, USFS recreation sites and OpenStreetMap slipways, checked October 2026.
Species at Lake Elsinore
CDFW Fishing Guide species flags; CDFW publishes no fuller species list for most waters.
Rules on the water at Lake Elsinore
No special rule names Lake Elsinore, so the statewide inland lake limits below apply.
| 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 |
Inland rules at Lake Elsinore follow the Southern or Colorado River District.
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026. All California limits.
Sizing up Lake Elsinore and its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation (ft) | Launches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Elsinore | 3,278 | 1,242 | 6 | |
| Perris Lake | 17 miles northeast | 1,800 | 1,563 | 6 |
| Skinner Reservoir | 17 miles east | 791 | 1,469 | 2 |
| Diamond Valley Lake | 19 miles east | 4,822 | 1,543 | 1 |
| Sulphur Creek Reservoir | 22 miles west | 0 | ||
| West Rancho Jurupa Park Pond | 23 miles north | 3.2 | 737 | 0 |
Past Lake Elsinore
Close-by lakes to Lake Elsinore
- Perris Lake17 miles northeast
- Skinner Reservoir17 miles east
- Diamond Valley Lake19 miles east
- Sulphur Creek Reservoir22 miles west
- West Rancho Jurupa Park Pond23 miles north
Gear and bait by Lake Elsinore
- Launch Pointe RV Resortmarina, Lake Elsinore, 2 miles
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #369sporting goods store, Lake Elsinore, 2 miles
- Canyon Lake Marketmarina, Canyon Lake, 6 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse #217sporting goods store, Murrieta, 11 miles
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #185sporting goods store, Murrieta, 11 miles
- Brass & Bassbait and tackle shop, Murrieta, 12 miles
CDFW agents close to Lake Elsinore
- Lakeshore Liquorlicense agent, 1 mile
- Walmart Store #2077department store, 3 miles
- Walmart Store #2952department store, 12 miles
Lake Elsinore county by county
- Riverside Countyseat: Riverside
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Lake Elsinore questions, answered briefly
How do I map a route to Lake Elsinore?
Look in Riverside County, about 2 miles from Lake Elsinore.
Is Lake Elsinore a large lake?
3,278 acres on the CDFW entry.
Will Lake Elsinore take a trailered boat?
Records show 6 launches, such as Lake Elsinore West Marina & RV Park.
What should I target at Lake Elsinore?
CDFW flags black bass, catfish, sunfish and crappie and striped bass.
Is Lake Elsinore planted with trout?
No plants since the entry was updated.
Is Lake Elsinore catch and release?
Statewide inland lake limits apply.
Which license covers Lake Elsinore?
The resident license runs $64.54, good for 365 days.
Does a station track the level of Lake Elsinore?
No public gauge reports it.
Is a tackle counter close to Lake Elsinore?
Launch Pointe RV Resort, about 2 miles from the water.
Try Lake Elsinore this season
License prices and every statewide limit sit on one page.