Lake Nacimiento is best known as the only lake in California that is stocked with white bass. Anglers will also find largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, carp, bluegill, and channel catfish. There is no limit on white bass, but DFG regulations state that, "at Lake Nacimiento (San Luis Obispo County) where any white bass taken must immediately be released into the water or killed by removing the head or cutting through the gills."

Anglers seeking white bass do the best in the spring and fall. The white bass favor the main channel of Lake Nacimiento between the marina and Bee Rock, the narrows, Oak Shores, Town Creek, and Los Tablas Creek. They are found all the way up the Nacimiento River channel. Black bass are congregate around brush, rocks, and off the points.

Catfish are found most often in shallow areas of the lake, often at the heads of coves. Many fishermen go after them in Los Tablas, just south of the resort. Prolific bluegills are caught nearly everywhere on the lake along the shores, especially in the inlets. Crappie are hide where there is cover, often in Dip Creek, Las Tablas, Snake Creek, and Cantinas Creek.

Lake Nacimiento Record Fish

• White Bass - 4 pounds, 2 ounces
• Largemouth Bass - 9 pounds, 14 ounces
• Smallmouth Bass - 4 pounds, 10 ounces
• Spotted Bass - 5 pounds, 3 ounces, caught in 1994
• Channel Catfish - 20 pounds, 2 ounces
• Crappie - 3 pounds, 8 ounces
• Bluegill - 1 pounds, 12 ounces
• Carp - 52 pounds, a California state record, caught by Lee Bryant in 1968

Which Baits and Lures Are Catching Fish at Lake Nacimiento?

White Bass: Kastmasters, Roostertails, Storm Chug Bug,
Luhr Jensen Crippled Herring, Rebel Pop-Rs, Zara Puppies

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: Shad imitations, Plastic Worms, Topwater Lures, Senko, Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits

Catfish: Nightcrawlers, Minnows, Chicken Livers, Anchovies

Crappie: Minnows

Bluegill: Meal Worms, Nightcrawlers