Recommended fishing lakes (Sunnyvale, Livermore, Santa Cruz: rentals, live, legally)

[80skeys]

Can I get some recommended places (lakes) to fish for bass, trout, and other edible fish, around the Bay Area, preferably that can be done in as a day trip
(although I'm open to hearing about other places) and also whether there are any issues (ie contamination concerns) with eating the fish caught in these lakes.

Also if you are a fisherman with a favorite fishing hole that you don't mind sharing with a fellow fisherman, but which you don't want to share with the world, go ahead and send me a Direct Message.

Thanks.

[DMenscha]

As a kid in Sunnyvale, we used to go up to Stevens Creek reservoir all the time. Can't say I ever caught many fish though.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

I have not been to any of them recently but several of the lakes in EB Regional Parks and EBMUD used to be legally fishable. I think the same may still be true of some of the SCVWD lakes around the South Bay (including as mentioned, Stevens Creek).

[humboldtrat]

Loch Lomond reservoir near Boulder Creek and Ben Lomond in the Santa Cruz Mtns. Loch Lomond Reservoir: Bass, Bluegill And Trout In The Redwoods, by Dan Bacher I hear they have banned private boats for fear of zebra mussels but rentals are available.

[MaikeerinWA]

Lake Chabot (EBMUD) can be a nice place to visit and fish (trout in cooler months, plus bass and catfish - some of them big. You definitely don't feel like you are right next to a highly urbanized area.

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

I have not been to any of them recently but several of the lakes in EB Regional Parks and EBMUD used to be legally fishable. I think the same may still be true of some of the SCVWD lakes around the South Bay (including as mentioned, Stevens Creek).

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by MichaelinWA

Lake Chabot (EBMUD) can be a nice place to visit and fish (trout in cooler months, plus bass and catfish - some of them big. You definitely don't feel like you are right next to a highly urbanized area.

ARe there any warnings about eating the bass out of this lake?

[MaikeerinWA]

You might want to check with the park. This information does not seem to have been updated since early 2009.

Guidelines for Fish Consumption | East Bay Regional Park District (http://www.ebparks.org/activities/fishing/advisories/lakes#chabot - broken link)

Originally Posted by 80skeys

ARe there any warnings about eating the bass out of this lake?

[Hemlock140]

There is no problem with eating fish from the EBMUD reservoirs. Most are planted anyway, they are "put and take" waters with a few holdovers. We used to limit trout at San Pablo in the protected area fishing a deep hole by canoe. Also, Del Valle in Livermore is good for bass, I pulled out a 4 pounder on ultralight near the dam.

[MaikeerinWA]

Not sure about the other reservoirs, but unlike trout and catfish, largemouth bass are not stocked at Chabot - it's a self-sustaining population, and so "catch and release" is encouraged.

Originally Posted by bisjoe

There is no problem with eating fish from the EBMUD reservoirs. Most are planted anyway, they are "put and take" waters with a few holdovers.

[80skeys]

MichaelinWA and bisjoe: Thanks for the links and the information.