Fishing at Lake Camanche

The bottom of Lake Camanche is strewn with boulders, mine tailings, and other forms of cover, making it an exceptionally great habitat for bass, crappie, kokanee salmon, and rainbow trout. In order to fish at Lake Camanche you need to purchase a $7 fishing permit at either the north or south recreation areas.

Where to Fish on Lake Camanche

Because of the usually clear water at Lake Camanche, trolling is especially good. Anglers often work the area near the dam and between Big Hat Island and Little Hat Island. Many good catches have been made near the spillway, the boat ramps, and up some of the creek inlets.

Bass can be found around some of the points, especially those that have good cover such as rocks. For catfish try the south shore near the cliffs and up at the heads of some of the coves. Another good spot is along the narrows. The Camanche Arm near the South Marina is always a good spot for trolling.

The Trout Pond at the South Campgrounds is great for kids and adults alike. Big fish have been pulled from the pond.

Lake Camanche Fish Records

Species	Pounds	Date	Angler	Location
Trout	19.42	5-5-98	Mark & Mike Seaters	By Dam
Bass	18.2	6-26-15	Kevin Miranda	Main body
Crappie	3.16	3-1-16	Steve Anderson	Narrows
Catfish	26	8-16-09	Cheryl Way	Upriver
Pond Catfish	27.6	12-3-16	Jeff Howard	South Pond
Pond Trout	19.37	3-28-98	Ray Miles	Trout Pond

Which Baits and Lures Are Catching Fish at Lake Camanche?

Bass Fishing: Baby Brush Hogs, Buzzbaits, South Bend Spinners, Senkos, Hula Poppers, Rapala Jigging Rap, Plastic Worms, Rapala Lures, Senkos, Crankbaits and Spinnerbaits in Shad Patterns

Trout and Salmon: Humdinger lure, Excel Spoons, Needlefish, Rapala lures, Kastmasters, PowerBait, Nightcrawlers

Crappie:   Small Minnows, Mini-jigs, Nightcrawlers

Catfish: Nightcrawlers, Mackerel, Chicken Livers, Crayfish

Bluegill: Worms, Mealworms