OC Parks keeps eight lakes stocked for local fishing, here’s what you need to know (2024)

Orange County is a great place to go fishing.

Not only can one drop a line from its many piers and pull something fresh from the ocean, there are lakes teeming with fish throughout the county, making a quiet day of fishing just around the corner for many residents.

OC Parks is currently in its rotation of stocking lakes in its many parks with catfish. The stocking started back in March and continues through October. Other times of the year it stocks lakes with trout. Several of the lakes also have bass.

About 15,000 pounds of catfish will be stocked this season. From November to March, about 43,000 pounds of trout were added to local lakes.

The county spends about $300,000 annually to stock its lakes with fish, according to the parks department spokesperson Danielle Kennedy.

“Fishing is a very popular activity,” she said in an email. “While we do not know exactly how many fish are caught, we estimate approximately 90% of trout stocked are caught between November and March and approximately 75% of catfish stocked are caught between March and October.”

Fishing is allowed at seven of the county’s regional parks and Irvine Lake.

A fishing license is needed for anyone 16 and older who is fishing, except at Irvine Lake, where no license is required.

“Anglers should be mindful of any nearby wildlife they may encounter while fishing in OC Parks and properly dispose of any used line and hooks in the marked containers provided at each park to avoid any potential harm to local wildlife,” Kennedy added.

OC Parks doesn’t release exactly when each lake will be stocked, but posts online which lakes will be visited each week – find that information at ocparks.com/news.

So where can you go to cast a line and hopefully catch a fish? Here is what you need to know:

The county’s parks during the spring and summer are open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the fall and winter.Parking is $3 weekdays, $5 weekends at the regional parks.

Carbon Canyon Regional Park

•4442 Carbon Canyon Rd., Brea

•Has a 4-acre lake with two piers for fishing as well as a nature center, historic dam, a redwood grove and trails, more than 60 acres of undeveloped open space, picnic area and sports fields.

Ralph B. Clark Regional Park

•8800 Rosecrans Ave., Buena Park

•Has a 3-acre lake, as well as hiking trails, sports fields, picnic areas and an interpretive center that showcases part of the county’s collection of prehistoric fossils.

Irvine Lake

•4621 E. Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado

•The lake was reopened to fishing in 2019, though note that with the recent wet winters the water level has increased and the western shore and lower access point to the eastern shore are currently closed. Fishing is allowed Fridays through Sundays and no license is required.

•There is a five-fish limit, but any bass you catch you need to release back into the lake. Catfish larger than 24 inches must also be returned to the lake.

•Hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays

•Parking is $5; parking lot opens at 6:30 a.m.

Irvine Regional Park

•1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange

•The park’s lake has a stonework waterfall and boathouse with rentals. The lake is not far from the OC Zoo and Irvine Park Railroad and there are also sports fields, lots of picnic spots, walking and hiking trails and more.

Laguna Niguel Regional Park

•28241 La Paz Rd., Laguna Niguel

•Has a 44-acre lake as well as lot of trails and natural areas, an amphitheater, sports fields, picnic areas and a spot for flying model gliders.

•Note: No fishing is allowed from bridges, dams or other restricted areas and stay away from hunting wildlife.

Mile Square Regional Park

•16801 Euclid St., Fountain Valley

•This park has two lakes for fishing, as well as two golf courses, paddle boat and bike rentals, picnic areas, walking and biking paths, sports fields and an archery range.

Tri-City Regional Park

•2301 Kraemer Blvd., Placentia

•Has an 8-acre lake that is also popular with bird watchers and model boat enthusiasts, has walking paths and picnic areas.

Yorba Regional Park

•7600 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim

•This park has four lakes connected by streams; fishing and model boat sailing are allowed. There are biking and walking trails, several picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields and bike and paddleboat rentals.