As you cast your line out into Lake Camanche there’s not a worry in your mind. It’s quiet, just how you wanted it. You’re away from work, from stress and, best of all, you know FOR A FACT that you’re going to catch a fish today. You could (and probably will) chalk that up to the fact that you are a great fisherman (which, of course, you are), but that’s not the only reason why you’re likely to land a big trout. Whether you’re willing to admit it or not your luck is most likely attributed to one thing: Lake Camanche’s fish plants, which are both large and numerous. And the good news is….As the fish plants continue through May, the fishing will only get better.

Planting the Fish

Most people who visit Lake Camanche do so for one reason: the fishing. Throughout the years Camanche has steadily become one of California’s premiere destinations for bass and trout fishing and the huge fish plants are a big reason for that. Just look at the numbers. At least 12,000 pounds of rainbow trout are planted every month, from October to May (The plants are spread out evenly throughout the month on a weekly basis, alternating between Lake Camanche’s north and south shores in order to ensure the best fishing environment). 14,400 pounds of rainbow trout were planted in December. Another 12,000 more were just planted in January. If that weren’t enough, another big plant is scheduled for February. And March. And on and on throughout the spring. And that’s just the trout! The other fish that were planted in January: 1600 largemouth bass (fish not pounds), 2100 bluegill and 2140 catfish. Moreover, another 1260 catfish and 1260 largemouth bass will be planted later on in the spring. That’s a lot of fish! (This isn’t an anomaly either. In 2008, 47,900 pounds of rainbow trout were planted. In 2009, 79,200 pounds were planted.)

The Hatcheries

Each month during the Fall/Winter/Spring, the trout are shipped from Mt. Lassen Trout Hatchery, near Redding, CA. Mt. Lassen is known to produce some of the largest and healthiest fish in the state and the trout delivered to Lake Camanche only confirm that. The smallest trout in the plant are a foot long (or 1 1/4 pounds) and 5% of the load are designated as “trophy trout”, which range from 3-10 pounds at the time of the plant.

The bass come from Willow Creek Fisheries, which is in the Fresno area. Known as one of the premier bass hatcheries in the Central California area, Willow Creek provides around 3,000 to 3,500 bass a year to the Mother Lode lake. The bass planted at Camanche are Florida Strain Large Mouth bass, which grow faster and bigger than the northern strains that are also found at Camanche.

Fish Plants and the Camanche Community

On top of providing a great outdoor experience, the planted fish also serve another purpose. The fish population acts as a monitor, providing authorities with information about the health of the lake on a regular basis. If the fish population sustains itself and is reasonably steady then the conditions in the lake can be assumed to be steady as well. All the more important because the Lake Camanche waters funnel down into the Mokelumne River, which sustains salmon and steelhead fisheries as well as the health of the Delta and its ecosystem. Suffice it to say, the health of Lake Camanche is important and the fish are a big part of keeping it healthy.

Make no mistake, the community of Lake Camanche wouldn’t be the same without the fish plants. The lake, and therefore the small community around it, has come to depend on the high standards set by the Mt. Lassen Fish Hatchery. The enhanced recreation experience and the quality fishing at Lake Camanche has been attracting fisherman from all over the state for decades. The majority of anglers rightly assume that there is great bass and trout to be found at Camanche, so there is little need to look elsewhere. In fact, the plants themselves are sustained by the anglers who fish at Lake Camanche; the number of fish planted is directly tied the number of Fishing Access Permits (which are required to fish) that are bought.

To fish at Lake Camanche: If you are coming from the Bay Area, take the 580 to highway 205, then take I-5 North. Then, take Hwy. 99 North to the Waterloo Road / Hwy. 88 east turn-off. Then:

• For Camanche South: Continue straight on Hwy.12/88 through Clements. Turn left on South Camanche Parkway at Wallace. Continue straight for approximately five miles to the South Shore gate.
• For Camanche North: Follow Hwy. 88 as it bears left just beyond Clements. Soon after, turn right off 88 onto Liberty Road/North Camanche Parkway. Follow North Camanche Parkway for 6 miles. Turn right on Camanche Road (just opposite the Lake Camanche Village recreation building) follow Camanche Road directly to the North Shore gate.

Once you’re there all you need is a fishing permit and $4 to pay the fishing access fee (which is what goes directly to the plants) and you’re good to go. Happy fishing!