By the numbersState roundups · California
California lakes by the numbers: 7 lakes, warmest Lake Berryessa at 61°F
Our weekly look at 7 California lakes: which are warmest and coolest, which levels are moving, and where the bite looks best.
Across the 7 California lakes we follow, surface water runs from 54°F on Lake Tahoe to 61°F on Lake Berryessa, a spread of 7°F.
Levels are falling on Folsom Lake, Lake Oroville, New Melones Lake and Shasta Lake.
Here is the lake-by-lake picture, with what each one means for the fishing that week.
Tomorrow's bite rates fair on every one of them, so pick by the fish you want and the drive.
Lake Berryessa is the warmest lake we follow in California on the latest readings.
Lake Tahoe is the coolest, 7°F behind Lake Berryessa.
Falling: Folsom Lake, Lake Oroville, New Melones Lake and Shasta Lake.
No lake rates better than fair for tomorrow's bite.
Water temperature across the state
The chart ranks the lakes by surface temperature on the latest clear readings. Warmer lakes keep the fall feed going longer; cooler ones are further along toward winter patterns.
Lake by lake
Clear Lake is at 58°F, and its level is steady. Target largemouth bass: they chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
Folsom Lake reads 60°F at the surface, and its level is falling, 2.8 ft below normal after a 7.2-ft drop over 30 days. Target trout: near the surface and along shorelines.
Lake Berryessa reads 61°F at the surface, and its level is steady, 5.2 ft above normal. Best bet: kokanee. Work deeper as the day warms.
On Lake Oroville the water is 60°F, and its level is falling, 1.9 ft above normal after a 12-ft drop over 30 days. Same story for spotted bass here.
On Lake Tahoe the water is 54°F, and its level is steady. Same story for trout here.
New Melones Lake reads 61°F at the surface. Kokanee are the best bet here too.
On Shasta Lake the water is 59°F, and its level is falling, 16 ft below normal after an 8.2-ft drop over 30 days. Trout are the best bet here too.
Algae showed on the latest clear view of Clear Lake, Lake Oroville, Shasta Lake, Folsom Lake, Lake Berryessa and New Melones Lake. Blooms drift with the wind and pile up on downwind shores, so look at the water before a swim and keep dogs out of green or scummy patches.
Biggest level changes
On a falling reservoir, fish slide toward points and channel edges and short ramps can end in mud; on a rising one, fish push into fresh flooded cover.
- Lake Oroville: 12 ft down in 30 days
- Shasta Lake: 8.2 ft down in 30 days
- Folsom Lake: 7.2 ft down in 30 days
All the numbers
| Lake | Water | Level | Bite tomorrow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake | 58°F | steady | fair |
| Folsom Lake | 60°F | falling | fair |
| Lake Berryessa | 61°F | steady | fair |
| Lake Oroville | 60°F | falling | fair |
| Lake Tahoe | 54°F | steady | fair |
| New Melones Lake | 61°F | falling | fair |
| Shasta Lake | 59°F | falling | fair |
Lake by lake
- Clear Lake58°FAlgae likely, 58°F water, level steady, near normal, calm this morning.
- Folsom Lake60°FAlgae likely, 60°F water, level falling, 3 ft below normal, calm this morning.
- Lake Berryessa61°FSome algae possible, 61°F water, level steady, 5 ft above normal, calm this morning.
- Lake Oroville60°FAlgae likely, 60°F water, level falling, 2 ft above normal, calm this morning.
- Lake Tahoe54°FSlightly murky, 54°F water, level steady, near normal, calm this morning.
- New Melones Lake61°FAlgae likely, 61°F water, calm this morning.
- Shasta Lake59°FSome algae possible, 59°F water, level falling, 16 ft below normal, calm this morning.
Your lake every morning
Water temperature, level, wind and bite times on your phone.
Read the guide
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