For Additional Information Please Click Here: watershed.co.lake.ca.us
The largest natural freshwater lake completely within California, Clear Lake attracts anglers, boaters, skiers and swimmers year after year to the communities of Lake County. In fact, Clear Lake is well-known for its outdoor recreational opportunities, but many people do not identify the famous lake with the county in which it is centered.
Known as the Bass Capital of the West, Clear Lake has more than 43,000 surface acres, ample space for fishing, swimming, sailing, waterskiing, jet skiing, kayaking, kneeboarding, and other water sports. The elevation for Clear Lake is 1,326 feet.
Pro and amateur anglers can cast their lines at several "hot spots" in Clear Lake to catch Florida strain largemouth black bass, yellow and blue channel catfish, crappie, and bluegill.
There are 11 public boat launch ramps along the shore of Clear Lake. Fishing boats are available to rent, and local retailers sell a variety of fishing equipment. Several guides in the area offer their services for fishing Clear Lake.
Several businesses around the lake rent water ski boats and equipment, jet skis, wave runners, pontoons, kayaks, pedal boats, and paddle and row boats. Two businesses offer parasail rides, one near Library Park in Lakeport, and the other at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa near Kelseyville. Additionally, sailboat rides and paddlewheel boat rides are available from local businesses.
Clear Lake is home to the NorCal Boat & Ski races each summer, and it draws a contingent of seaplane owners and flyers for the annual "Splash In" event. Model seaplane enthusiasts often converge in Lake County for a meet.
Visitors and residents enjoy boating to different areas around the lake to explore the communities along the shore or to have a meal at a lakeside restaurant.
Many beaches and campgrounds can be found around the lake, and Lake County offers opportunities for hiking, hunting, birding, rockhounding, bicycling, skydiving, gliding, horseback riding, golfing, gaming, and wine tasting.
Swimming, sailing, rowing, canoeing, windsurfing, and fishing are popular activities on Blue Lakes, in the northwest portion of Lake County. Anglers will find trout, catfish, bluegill, and largemouth bass here. Because the use of power boats is limited to 5 mph on Blue Lakes, the pair of lakes offers a quiet environment for relaxation.
Beaches, boat launch ramps, shaded picnic areas, and hiking trails can be found at lodging facilities around the small lakes off Highway 20. Sitting at an elevation of 1,357 feet, the two lakes known as Upper Blue Lake and Lower Blue Lake cover 73 acres and 52 acres, respectively. For lodging, housekeeping units, camp sites, RV sites, and motel units are available. Many of the facilities operate bait and tackle shops and offer boat rentals. A restaurant is located at one of the lodging sites.
Lake Pillsbury, at an elevation of 1,832 feet in the north Lake County area, is open to all boating. Fishing boats and canoes may be rented, and fish in the lake include black bass, rainbow trout, and sunfish.
Three launch ramps and one marina are located on the lake, which is surrounded by several campgrounds in the Mendocino National Forest. Boat camping is allowed in designated areas.
The lake's 2,280 surface acres and 31 miles of shoreline provide plenty of room for boating, fishing, and swimming. Visitors to the area can also enjoy picnicking, hiking, backpacking, riding along U.S. Forest Service trails including the Back Country Discovery Trail, and hang gliding from Hull Mountain (elevation 6,873 feet) near the lake.
A seasonal resort at the lake offers bait and tackle, gas, groceries, boat rentals and boat fuel, slips, and supplies.
Boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and hunting are among the recreational activities enjoyed at Indian Valley Reservoir, northeast of Clearlake Oaks. Access is via Walker Ridge Road off Highway 20. The reservoir is under the jurisdiction of the Yolo County Flood Control District. It sits at an elevation of 1,475 feet. Six miles long and a mile wide, the reservoir has approximately 39 miles of shoreline.
The 3,700-acre reservoir is open to all boating, with a 10 mph speed limit. Two launch ramps are available to the public. An office and store is located at the south end of the reservoir.
Rainbow trout, large and small mouth bass, catfish, kokanee, and crappie are found at the reservoir. Visitors enjoy camping at tent and RV sties, picnicking, swimming, hiking, birding, other nature study, and hunting for waterfowl, quail, dove, turkey, pigs, and bear.
Warm water fishing, swimming, and non-powered boating are enjoyed at Highland Springs Reservoir, a small lake south of Lakeport. The reservoir covers 146 acres of land and is fed by Highland Creek. Catfish, bass, crappie, and bluegill are found in the lake.
A large grassy area, picnic facilities, and restrooms are located next to the reservoir. There are horseshoe pits and a basketball court. A disc golf course just off Highland Springs Road is available for public use.
This is a private lake located in Southern Lake County six miles north of Middletown off highway 29. There are two beaches, with non motorized boats allowed. Fishing and swimming are both enjoyed on Hidden Valley Lake.
Hidden Valley Lake is a 110 acre man-made lake.
The earthen dam contains more than 250,000 yards of imported fill and impounds winter flow of Coyote Creek, about 3000 acre feet of water. The huge concrete spillway releases water throughout most winters usually from December through April. The lake is used for fishing, swimming, sailing and low or no powered boating. The Association maintains three improved lake access facilities and one unimproved site. Hidden Valley Lake and its facilities are limited to use by members and their guests who must be accompanied or obtain guest passes. I.D.'s are required and checked.
The Marina is located on Northshore Drive between Marine View and Granite. It's facilities include a 30 slip boat dock which is available for monthly rental by HVLA members, a boat launch ramp, parking area, restroom building, turfed view park and telephone. It is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. To launch, boats must have current HVLA stickers at no cost to the member. Slip rentals are $30.00 a month. Both I.D. stickers and slip rentals are arranged at the HVLA administrative office at 18174 Hidden Valley Road, (707) 987-3138).
Big Beach Park is located on Lake Ridge Circle across the street from the HVL Country Club. About half of this three acre site is improved with two connected parking lots, restrooms, a large sandy beach with roped off deep and shallow swimming areas, children's tot facilities and recently installed sand volleyball court, access walkway and turfed picnic and play areas with picnic tables. Big Beach also has a hiking trail and a beach area suitable for day use boat tie ups.
Little Beach Park is located on North Shore Drive just south of Brookfield. The park has a large, flat sandy beach and a relatively shallow roped off swimming area, a favorite for Little Beach Park is located on North Shore Drive just south of Brookfield. The park has a young children. It also features restrooms, a turfed picnic area (ample shade) a beach picnic area and children's tot lot. The park, like Big Beach, has been heavily improved during the last three years and received an expanded parking lot in 1999.
North Shore Fishing Park is located on North Shore Road 200 yards south of Little Beach Park. This one acre site is largely unimproved but provides limited shoulder parking and an access road on the southwest side of the site. Its broad lake frontage provides good spots for shoreline fishing or a short walk along the water.
