FISHING AT LAKE CAMANCHE An Angler's Paradise Located in Ione, CA!

Hey there, fellow fishing fanatics and outdoor adventurers! Are you dreaming of a place where the sun kisses the water, the air is fresh and clean, and the fish are practically jumping into your boat? Well, grab your favorite rod and reel because we've found your next happy place: the magnificent Lake Camanche in Ione, California! Nestled in the heart of Northern California, just a hop, skip, and a cast away from Stockton, Lake Camanche isn't just a pretty reservoir – it's a thriving aquatic playground teeming with finned friends just waiting to make your day! Whether you're a seasoned pro looking to land a trophy or a family eager to create lasting memories with some easy catches, fishing at Lake Camanche offers something for everyone.

Why Lake Camanche is the Reel Deal for Fishing Enthusiasts

What makes Lake Camanche fishing so special? Let's dive into the delightful details: Abundance of Awesome Fish: Get ready to feel that satisfying tug! Lake Camanche is renowned for its diverse and healthy fish populations. You can try your luck at landing: Rainbow Trout: Stocked regularly, these beauties are a blast to catch and delicious on the grill. Looking for best rainbow trout fishing Lake Camanche tips? We've got you covered (keep reading!). Largemouth Bass: These feisty fighters provide an exciting challenge for bass anglers. Check out our hardbait lures and our softbait lures pages for some great lure ideas. Smallmouth Bass: Known for their spirited battles, smallies thrive in Camanche's rocky areas. Discover the best smallmouth bass techniques Lake Camanche. Catfish: Both channel and flathead catfish call Camanche home, offering some thrilling nighttime or early morning action. Learn about catfishing tips Lake Camanche for a successful outing. Crappie: These tasty panfish school up and can provide fast-paced action when you find them. Explore crappie fishing hotspots Lake Camanche for the best locations. Sunfish: Perfect for introducing kids to the joy of fishing, sunfish are plentiful and eager to bite. Enjoy some relaxing sunfish fishing with kids Lake Camanche. Stunning Scenery: While you're waiting for a bite, feast your eyes on the breathtaking landscapes surrounding Lake Camanche. Rolling hills, oak woodlands, and sparkling blue waters create a truly picturesque backdrop for your fishing adventure. It's the kind of beauty that makes you feel happy just being there! Excellent Facilities: Lake Camanche boasts fantastic amenities to make your fishing trip comfortable and convenient. You'll find well-maintained boat ramps, ample parking, clean restrooms, and even campgrounds if you want to extend your stay and enjoy more weekend fishing trips Lake Camanche. Year-Round Fishing Fun: The fishing season at Lake Camanche is open year-round, offering different opportunities depending on the time of year. Whether you prefer the cooler temperatures of spring and fall or the warm sunshine of summer, there's always a good time to cast a line. Find out the best time of year to fish Lake Camanche for your target species.

Pro Tips for Reeling in Success at Lake Camanche

Want to increase your chances of landing that trophy fish and having an even more joyful experience? Here are some happy hints: Know the Regulations: Always check the current California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations specific to Lake Camanche. This ensures a responsible and enjoyable fishing experience for everyone. Match the Hatch: Pay attention to what the fish are feeding on. Local bait and tackle shops near Ione can provide valuable insights on the best live bait for Lake Camanche or effective artificial lures. Early Bird Gets the Worm (and the Fish!). Many anglers find that fishing in the early morning or late evening hours, when the water is cooler and less crowded, can yield the best results. Explore Different Locations: Lake Camanche is vast, with diverse habitats. Don't be afraid to try different areas, from rocky points for bass to deeper coves for trout and crappie. Consider using a fish finder to locate promising structures. Patience is a Virtue (Especially When Fishing!): Sometimes the fish just aren't biting, and that's okay! Enjoy the peaceful surroundings, soak up the sun, and remember that every cast is a new opportunity.

Making Memories That Last a Lifetime

More than just catching fish, a trip to Lake Camanche is about creating happy memories with family and friends. Imagine the laughter as someone hooks their first fish, the shared excitement of a double hook-up, and the delicious taste of freshly cooked trout enjoyed by the lakeside. These are the moments that truly make a fishing trip special. Plan your family fishing trip Lake Camanche today! So, what are you waiting for? Pack your tackle box, gather your loved ones, and head to Lake Camanche in Ione, California, for a fishing adventure filled with joy, beautiful scenery, and hopefully, some fantastic catches! You're sure to get hooked on the happiness that awaits!

Lake Camanche Fishing Information

Lake Camanche, located in Ione, CA, is a great lake for fishing, both from a boat, and from shore. It is best known for excellent bass fishing, as well as for great trout fishing. They regularly plant about 60,000 trout each year between October and June. The average size of the planted trout range from one pound to trophy trout over eight pounds. The large trout pond at South Shore is a great place to take the kids fishing, or anyone that you want to have a better chance of catching nice quality trout as the trout pond is a more concentrated space for the trout to be holed up in ready to attack your baits.

Types of Fish at Lake Camanche

• Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass • Catfish • Kokanee • Rainbow Trout, Lightning Trout • Crappie, Bluegill, & Sunfish

Trolling for Trout on Lake Camanche

My brother Brian hooked my Dad and I up with a fishing trip out on Lake Camanche and do some trolling for trout. We also caught one Spotted Bass. It was a great day of fishing, check out the youtube video below for some highlights and some trout catching action. Below that I will walk through the lures and setups that work for us when we fish at Lake Camanche, and other Mother Lode Lakes in California.

Our Lake Camanche Fishing Adventure

Lake Camanche Fishing Techniques

Lake Camanche also has a highly unique Florida strain largemouth bass plant each year. There are several other fish species found in Lake Camanche, including rainbow trout, a fancy trending trophy lightning trout, large and small mouth bass, spotted bass, catfish, kokanee, crappie, bluegill and sunfish. Shoreline access is available to anglers at both shores. There is also shoreline access upriver, however it is only available by boat. The current price for fishing at Lake Camanche as of 2025 is $7.75 per angler, per day.

Setups for Trolling in Lake Camanche

These lures below have worked well for me and my group of fishermen when we go to the motherlode lakes like Lake Camanche.

Soft Swimbaits: Visit our soft bait lures page.

Strike King Mr. Crappie Slabilicious - Red - Chartreuse Glow Berkley Ribbon Tail - Sunkissed, Firetiger, Green Chartreuse, White Berkley Power Egg for the Head - Yellow, White, red, etc, to match the grub

Hard Baits - Stickbaits: Visit our hard bait lures page.

Rapala Scatter Rap Jointed 3.5 Inch Colors - Firetiger, Flourescent Chartreuse, Clown, Rainbow Trout, Gold Flourescent Red Rapala Jointed 3.5 Inch Colors - Firetiger, Gold Flourescent Red, Silver Flourescent Chartreuse, Rainbow Trout

Large Spoons: Visit our fishing spoons page.

Moonshine Original Spoon - Hot Lips, Tangerine Tarzan Thomas Lures - Speedy Shiner - Rainbow Trout, Gold & Red, Copper & Flourescent Red, Sunrise Copper

Weights: Visit our weights and sinkers page.

1/8 Ounce Bullet Weight 3/16 Ounce Bullet Weight 1/4 Ounce Bullet Weight

Planer Boards: Visit our planer boards page.

AlphaBoardz Church Tackle Yellow Bird

Scents: Visit our fish attractant scents page.

Lake Camanche Fishing Techniques

In the cooler months, when trout are being planted at the lake, you will want to troll your lure down about two feet to six feet. They will be shallow in the morning, and start to head deeper as the sun warms the water. Start with the lighter 1/8 Ounce Bullet Weight which will take your lure down about one to two feet. As the day moves on, swap out for the heavier 3/16 Ounce which will take you down to four to five feet deep. You may need to upgrade to a heavier quarter ounce weight a little later in the day, depending on what you are seeing on the fish finder for where the fish are holding and biting at. As you are trolling with your boat, the fish will sway off to the right or left as you push through. We like to use a planer board on the rod on the right side and the rod on the left sides of the boat, to catch these fish that dodge off to either side as you move through. A lot of times it’s these planer boards that has the lines that get bit, catching those trout that are trying to sneak off.

Lake Camanche Trout Pond

If you are looking to take your kids to a place where the fishing environment is more controlled, well stocked, and the fish are locked in to increase the odds of catching fish, you should check out the trout pond at Lake Camanche. One of the preferred fishing techniques used at the Camanche Lake Trout Pond is jigging for trout using trout mini jigs. The trout Pond is regularly stocked with fish during the cold part of the year when trout thrive. You can see the trout and lightning trout swimming out in the large pond. This is a great place to take the family camping and fishing with a good opportunity for catching your limits of fish. Trophy Trout Spoons For Fishing at Lake Camanche One of the top fishing lures for Lake Camanche. With their back to back motion, vibrant fish attracting colors, these trophy trout spoons are irresistable to the trout at Lake Camanche.

Lake Camanche Fishing Guides and Fishing Charter Boats

There are many different fishing guides that offer guided fishing trips on Lake Camanche. FishingBooker is a service of local guides that you can choose from and schedule your next guided fishing trip. Book a Lake Camanche Fishing Guide today on Fishing Booker to catch some quality fish and learn about this excellent fishery. Shop for fishing tackle in our Fishing Gear and Tackle store that would be perfect for catching more fish at Lake Camanche.

Cottages and Vacation Home Rentals At Lake Camanche, CA

Looking for place to stay on Lake Camanche, in Ione, CA, or any destination you wish to go? Expedia has vacation homes, hotels, motels, cabins, and cottages for many locations that would be great for your next family vacation, all at really great prices. Start your adventures today. About The Author Mike Mendenhall has transformed his family's deep-rooted love for the natural world into a vibrant online resource. This website serves as a digital chronicle of the Mendenhall family's outdoor pursuits, sharing the insights and discoveries gleaned from their adventures. Their aim is to provide valuable and engaging content for fellow outdoor enthusiasts. The site thoughtfully spotlights products and services that have captured their interest and proven useful in their own experiences. It's worth noting that Mendenhall Outdoors occasionally receives complimentary products for testing purposes; however, these samples do not influence their honest assessments or recommendations. Transparency is key, and readers should be aware that clicking on certain links and making a subsequent purchase may result in a small commission for the site, at no additional expense to the buyer and without affecting the product's price. Happy fishing at Lake Camanche!