Top 10 Freshwater Fish to Catch in California
Top 10 Species
These are the fish that get noticed by FishyAF anglers. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Largemouth Bass
Verified
World Record
22 lb 4 oz
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Signature Fact
High-speed videos show they snap their mouth fully open in about 30 milliseconds, vacuuming prey from 3 inches.
2
Rainbow Trout
Verified
World Record
48 lb 0 oz
Sean Konrad / 2009
Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan
Sean Konrad / 2009
Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan
Signature Fact
Siblings from one nest can grow up as 8-inch creek fish or 20‑plus‑pound ocean‑run steelhead, then spawn together.
3
Striped Bass (Striper)
Verified
World Record
81 lb 14 oz
Gregory Myerson / 2011
Long Island Sound, Connecticut
Gregory Myerson / 2011
Long Island Sound, Connecticut
Signature Fact
Their eggs must stay drifting for about 48 hours-sink once, and the entire spawn suffocates.
4
Smallmouth Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
11 lb 15 oz
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
Signature Fact
In winter, they huddle in massive "sleep piles"-hundreds nose-to-current, barely twitching for weeks.
5
Channel Catfish
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
58 lb 0 oz
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Signature Fact
With over 100,000 taste buds, its whole skin acts like a tongue hunting through muddy darkness.
6
Common Carp
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
75 lb 11 oz
Colin Smith / 2013
Lac de Saint-Cassien, France
Colin Smith / 2013
Lac de Saint-Cassien, France
Signature Fact
They remember being hooked for over a year, dodging that same rig and flavor like seasoned veterans.
7
Bluegill
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
9 lb 6 oz
Jason Fugate / 2019
Lake Tahoe, California
Jason Fugate / 2019
Lake Tahoe, California
Signature Fact
Males come in three types-nest-building dads, lightning-fast sneakers, and full-on female mimics that steal fertilizations.
8
Kokanee Salmon
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
9 lb 6 oz
Gerald E. Waddell / 2010
Okanagan Lake, British Columbia
Gerald E. Waddell / 2010
Okanagan Lake, British Columbia
Signature Fact
The kokanee all-tackle record hit 9 lb 10 oz-monstrous heft for a fish that sifts zooplankton.
9
Cutthroat trout
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
41 lb 0 oz
John Skimmerhorn / 1925
Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA
John Skimmerhorn / 1925
Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA
Signature Fact
The heaviest cutthroat ever verified came from Pyramid Lake's Lahontan strain, a freak of freshwater heft topping 40 pounds.
10
Tiger Trout
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
20 lb 13 oz
Lloyd Tanner / 2003
Scofield Reservoir, Utah
Lloyd Tanner / 2003
Scofield Reservoir, Utah
Signature Fact
Born sterile, tiger trout skip spawning entirely and channel that energy into freakish growth and unapologetic aggression.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in California?
You’ll find largemouth bass, rainbow trout, striped bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and more across California’s freshwater spots.
What is the best time of year to fish in California?
Spring and fall usually bring the best action for most freshwater species in California.
Where are the best places to fish in California?
California’s freshwater fishing is strong statewide. Look for rivers, reservoirs, and lakes known for bass, trout, and catfish.
What gear do you need for fishing in California?
Spinning or baitcasting setups cover most bass and panfish. Go lighter for trout and panfish, heavier for catfish or carp.
What are the easiest fish to catch in California?
Bluegill, channel catfish, and common carp are some of the easiest and most consistent catches in California’s freshwater.
