Camanche Lake
Location & Setting: At only an elevation of 235 feet, Camanche truly sits in the low, rolling, grass/brush and oak covered transitional foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It is here the mighty Mokelumne River that begins near the Blue Lakes and Ebbetts Pass areas along the Sierra Crest finally completes its dive into the Central Valley. The location offers relatively short travel times for even bay-area residents. This is really year-round recreation country, with mild winters although hot summers. The East Bay Municipal Utility District manages the reservoir for water and power thirsty customers and the reservoir is drawn down dramatically by summer’s end each year.
...Camanche truly sits in the low, rolling, grass/brush and oak covered transitional foothills of the Sierra Nevada.
The reservoir is noted for its bass fishing and is considered a premier fishery...
DESCRIPTION:
The huge surface area of 7700 acres cover roughly 12 square miles, includes 53 miles of shoreline and, at its deepest, 150 feet. Surrounding areas totaling about 15,000 acres are managed by the utility district, through the Camanche Recreation Company and offer a wide choice of recreation opportunities. Resorts sit on both the northern and southern shores. There are several hiking and equestrian trails and biking options.
The reservoir is noted for its bass fishing and is considered a premier fishery for the warm water species. But a lake record approaching a 19 ½ pound trout certifies that the lake offers rewarding warm and cold water fisheries.
Fishery:
All fish have open seasons year-round but check California Fish and Game Department regulations (http://www.fgc.ca.gov/html/regs.html) for current limits or specific rules.
Bass: Including populations of Smallmouth, Alabama Spotted, and both Northern and Florida-strain Largemouth Bass, Camanche is considered an excellent bass fishery. Most frequently caught are 1-4 pounders with a take of some bass up to 6 pounds. Bigger fish are also there: the record catch exceeds 14.3 pounds
Crappie, Bluegill and Sunfish: This is prime fishing waters for the smaller, but feisty panfish. The largest crappie caught to date is nearly 2 ½ pounds.
Catfish: 10-pound cats are typical.
Trout: After frequent planting of trout began by the start of 1990, Camanche has been recognized as a rewarding trout fishery. In the fall and early spring, an average of 80,000 pounds of trout are stocked annually. A record catch of a nearly 19 ½ pounder testifies to the success.
There is a Trout Pond within the South Shore Recreation Area that is stocked regularly with rainbow and Eagle Lake trout and is a great place to insure kids will have fun and success. The largest catch has weighed in at 19.37 pounds.
In addition to a valid California Fishing License, a Daily Fishing Access Permit, still under $5, is required for fishing the lake or trout pound. One-hundred percent of the permit funds are used to stock the lake and pond.
Facilities:
Reservoir facilities reflect a big-city-feeling with year-round outdoor options. Over 600 developed camping or R.V. sites are available. Six-lane, paved boat ramps provide access from both the north and south shorelines. Given major drawdown to lake levels, several lanes have been designed to continue boat launches. Fee.
All forms of powerboats including waterskiing and jet skis as well as flatwater paddling crafts are permitted. No waterskiing in Upper Lake.
North Shore: Tent and self-contained R.V.s sites ranging from family friendly to shoreline, to easy access, to most camping amenities, to primitive; plus: housekeeping cottages; motel rooms; disposal station; hot showers; general store; laundry; marina; boat rentals; riding stables; tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, and restaurant. Visit www.camancherecreation.com for click-to maps, descriptions, current costs and reservations. (209) 763-5121.
South Shore Tent and full-hook-up R.V. sites with units ranging from family friendly, to shoreline, to easy access, to most camping amenities, to primitive; plus: housekeeping cottages; motel rooms; disposal station; hot showers; store; laundry; marina; moorage; boat rentals; riding stables, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, amphitheater, recreation hall, video arcade; trout pond and restaurant. Visit www.camancherecreation.com for click-to maps, descriptions, current costs and reservations. (209) 763-5178.
Reservations required for tent or R.V. camping on Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day weekends and use of group camp sites year-round.
Special regulations: several coves are closed to boating and beaches provide swimming options; children under 14 must have an adult in attendance for swimming; no off-road vehicles permitted; no firewood gathering allowed—firewood available for sale; night operation of boats prohibited.
Fishing Hints:
Bass: Off of rocky points, rock walls and flooded trees and brush are best especially in the Causeway Cove on the north shore and the south side of the Camanche Arm. Topwater lures and spinners attract fish early in the day but once it warms up fish plastic worms and spinnerbaits with green and purple colors to depths of 15 to 25 feet. Lancha Plana, China Gulch and Oregon Gulch are usually productive.
Crappie, Bluegill and Sunfish: Again submerged trees or brush are most productive. Also fish the boulders and look for shady spots when it gets warm. Worms under a bobber work while small spinners also attract the scrappy, little fish.
Catfish: Use at least 15-pound line, stinky bait like liver, mackerel or sardines. Fish depths of 10-15 feet in the shallower arms but deeper as it begins to get hot. Try East, Marina, and Camper Coves, north shore’s Causeway Cove and the Comanche Arm.
Trout: Trollers frequent the area from Hat Island to the dam. Depths vary by water temperatures but 35-50 feet depths is a good place to start. Talk to the marina and service people for updates. Upriver above the highway bridge to Arkansas Bend is popular and depths are usually shallower, closer to 25-35 feet. Troll minnow look-alikes. Power bait either from shore or boat often works well in 35-40 feet of water.
DIRECTIONS:
To Camanche Lake
Travel Details:
Communities of Clement, Wallace, Burson and Buena Vista are nearby.
From San Francisco Bay Area: Take Hwy. 580 East to Hwy. 205. Then take I-5 north to Highway 4 East (Stockton Crosstown Freeway). Then take Hwy. 99 North to the Waterloo Road / Hwy. 88 east turn-off.
From Sacramento: Drive South on Hwy. 99. Follow 99 until just above Lodi where you'll take Hwy. 12 East. Hwy. 12 East joins Hwy. 88 just west of Lockeford.
To 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.
To 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.
ACTIVITIES:
Fishing (Rating: Best)
All fish have open seasons year-round but check California Fish and Game Department regulations (http://www.fgc.ca.gov/html/regs.html) for current limits or specific rules.
Bass: Including populations of Smallmouth, Alabama Spotted, and both Northern and Florida-strain Largemouth Bass, Camanche is considered an excellent bass fishery. See above.
Boating - Motorized (Rating: Best)
At only an elevation of 235 feet, Camanche truly sits in the low, rolling, grass/brush and oak covered transitional foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It is here the mighty Mokelumne River that begins near the Blue Lakes and Ebbetts Pass areas along the Sierra Crest finally completes its dive into the Central Valley. The location offers relatively short travel times for even bay-area residents. See above.
Camping (Rating: Exceptional)
Reservoir facilities reflect a big-city-feeling with year-round outdoor options. Over 600 developed camping or R.V. sites are available. See above.
