Rainbow trout and steelhead in California
How to find and keep rainbow trout and steelhead in California.
- 5 a daydaily bag
- 27 lbs., 0 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of California: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
_Gavins_Point.jpg){kind=link}
Where rainbow trout and steelhead fit in California
The trout group in CDFW references includes Rainbow trout and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a fresh water fish. The Statewide: inland lakes, reservoirs and ponds limit is 5 a day, size none.
In 2005, a 27 lbs., 0 oz. fish from Lake Natoma set the state record. CDFW flags it on 693 lakes and 191 streams on its Fishing Guide map. Hatcheries plan 411 waters for it in 2026.
CDFW notes on rainbow trout and steelhead
“Highly variable in color and body shape, especially between resident fish and steelhead.”
“Adults are silver and heavily spotted with small black spots.”
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
rainbow trout and steelhead bag and size rules
| Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide: inland lakes, reservoirs and ponds | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Statewide: inland streams, rivers and canals | 5 a day | none | Last Saturday in April through November 15 |
| North Coast District: anadromous waters tributary to and north of Humboldt Bay (not Klamath/Trinity, not liste | 2 a day | none | Fourth Saturday in May through Oct. 31 |
| Sierra District: anadromous waters of Tehama and Shasta cos. not listed in §7.40 | 2 a day | none | Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15 |
| Valley District: anadromous waters not listed in §7.40 | 2 a day | none | All year |
| South Central District: streams west of any Highway 1 bridge (not listed in §7.40) | 2 a day | none | Dec. 1 through Mar. 7, but only on Sat., Sun., Wed., legal holidays and opening and closing days |
| North Central District | see rule | none | see rule |
| Southern District | see rule | none | see rule |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations. All California limits.
California record rainbow trout and steelhead
| Category | Method | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater angling | Lure | 27 lbs., 0 oz. | Lake Natoma | 2005 |
CDFW Angling and Diving Records. Angler names left out.
rainbow trout and steelhead on the CDFW map
Still water holding rainbow trout and steelhead
- Lake Tahoe123,137 acres
- Shasta Lake29,500 acres
- Lake Almanor28,000 acres
- Eagle Lake, Lassen County24,408 acres
- Lake Oroville15,378 acres
- Lake Berryessa13,000 acres
- Don Pedro Reservoir12,960 acres
- New Melones Lake12,122 acres
- Folsom Lake11,450 acres
- Lake Isabella7,731 acres
- Camanche Reservoir7,700 acres
- McClure Reservoir7,127 acres
- Pine Flat Lake5,334 acres
- Mountain Meadows Reservoir4,842 acres
- Diamond Valley Lake4,822 acres
- Bullards Bar Reservoir4,800 acres
- Lake Crowley4,145 acres
- Lake Davis4,026 acres
- Indian Valley Reservoir4,000 acres
- Thermalito Afterbay3,843 acres
- Modesto Reservoir3,800 acres
- Stampede Reservoir3,450 acres
- Turlock Reservoir3,267 acres
- Whiskeytown Lake3,250 acres
Moving water holding rainbow trout and steelhead
- Sacramento RiverShasta
- San Joaquin RiverMadera
- Klamath RiverSiskiyou
- Pit RiverShasta
- Eel RiverHumboldt
- Owens RiverInyo
- Trinity RiverTrinity
- Kern RiverKern
- Tuolumne RiverTuolumne
- Merced RiverMariposa
- Russian RiverSonoma
- Kings RiverFresno
- South Fork Kern RiverTulare
- Santa Ana RiverSan Bernardino
- Middle Fork Feather RiverPlumas
- West Walker RiverMono
- Stanislaus River, Stanislaus CountyStanislaus
- Butte Creek, Butte CountyButte
CDFW Fishing Guide species flags; largest waters first.
Where CDFW plans to plant rainbow trout and steelhead
| Water | County | Size | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerojet Pond | Sacramento | Catchable | May |
| Alondra Park Lake | Los Angeles | Catchable | January-March & November-December |
| Alpine Lake | Alpine | Catchable | May-August |
| American River Silver Fork | El Dorado | Catchable | June-September |
| American River, South Fork, Camp Sacramento | El Dorado | Catchable | May-August |
| American River, South Fork, Chili Bar | El Dorado | Catchable | April-May & September-October |
| Angels Creek | Calaveras | Catchable | February-July & November- December |
| Antelope Creek | Siskiyou | Catchable | May-August |
| Antelope Reservoir | Plumas | Catchable | April-November |
| Apollo Community Regional Park Lake | Los Angeles | Catchable | January-March & November- December |
| Arrowbear Lake | San Bernardino | Catchable | April-October |
| Ash Creek Lower | Lassen | Catchable | June |
| Ash Creek Upper | Lassen | Catchable | April-June |
| Atascadero Lake | San Luis Obispo | Catchable | January-April & November-December |
| Auburn Regional Park Pond | Placer | Catchable | October-April |
| Avocado Lake | Fresno | Catchable | January-April & November- December |
| Baker Creek | Inyo | Catchable | April-November |
| Bakersfield Sports Show Pond | Kern | Catchable | March |
| Balch Park Lake Lower | Tulare | Catchable | April-July |
| Balch Park Lake Upper | Tulare | Catchable | April-July |
| Barney Schwartz Park Lake | San Luis Obispo | Catchable | January-March & November-December |
| Bass Lake | Madera | Catchable | January-June & November-December |
| Bass Lake | Siskiyou | Catchable | March & October |
| Battle Creek South Fork | Tehama | Catchable | March-July & September-October |
| Baum Lake | Shasta | Catchable | April-November |
| Bear River Reservoir Lower | Amador | Catchable | May-September |
| Bearskin Creek | Fresno | Catchable | April-July |
| Beaver Creek | Tuolumne | Catchable | April-August |
| Belvedere Lake | Los Angeles | Catchable | January-March & November-December |
| Big Bear Lake | San Bernardino | Catchable | January-December |
CDFW 2026 Provisional Stocking Document; CDFW says plans are not guaranteed.
Neighbors of rainbow trout and steelhead on the list
- Brown trouttrout
- Brook trouttrout
- Bull trouttrout
- Lake trouttrout
- California golden trouttrout
- Little Kern golden trouttrout
- Kern River rainbow trouttrout
- Eagle Lake rainbow trouttrout
- Goose Lake redband trouttrout
- McCloud River redband trouttrout
- Warner Lakes redband trouttrout
- Coastal cutthroat trouttrout
rainbow trout and steelhead: the usual questions
Can I keep rainbow trout and steelhead in California?
5 a day (Statewide: inland lakes, reservoirs and ponds), size none.
What is the biggest rainbow trout and steelhead caught in California?
27 lbs., 0 oz. from Lake Natoma (2005).
Where do anglers catch rainbow trout and steelhead?
CDFW flags 884 waters, including Lake Tahoe, Shasta Lake and Lake Almanor.
Where does CDFW plant rainbow trout and steelhead?
411 waters in the 2026 plan.
How can I tell rainbow trout and steelhead apart?
Scientific name Oncorhynchus mykiss.
Is rainbow trout and steelhead season open now?
All year
What stamps apply to rainbow trout and steelhead?
From 16 you need a license ($64.54 resident); some species add a report card.
Can I book a trip for rainbow trout and steelhead?
The guides page lists every operator.
Target rainbow trout and steelhead this season
Each water in these lists opens to its own page.