Lake Nacimiento is a Reservoir located in San Luis Obispo County, CA. Starting in the Lake Nacimiento has a total surface area of 4.7 miles. The Lake Nacimiento has an elevation of 804 feet. Find maps, fishing guides and recreation info at Guidesly.

About Lake Nacimiento, CA

Situated in San Louis Obispo County in California is Lake Nacimiento. Its area is 5,370 acres, with a maximum depth and length of 200 feet and 18 miles, respectively. Lake Nacimiento is an artificial lake formed around the Nacimiento Dam. This dam was constructed in 1955 and completed in 1957. The Nacimiento Dam’s purpose is to provide irrigation and groundwater for the farms and other agricultural activities in the area.

Surprisingly, it’s the Monterey County Water Authority that administers Lake Nacimiento. Monterey County developed and paid for the lake’s construction, which means both counties manage the lake via a joint agreement.

The lake is also known as Dragon Lake because of the positioning of the arms surrounding it. And Speaking of these arms, Lake Nacimiento possesses several tributaries that connect it to the other nearby bodies of water. 

Unfortunately, because of the high levels of mercury in the lake’s waters, there are fewer fish populations here than in other fishing spots in California. This high mercury level comes from the nearby mercury mines south of the lake and renders a lot of the gamefish available to the lake inedible. 

Despite this, the fishing experience in Lake Nacimiento is still something that anglers should experience while visiting the area. The variety of gamefish and pristine boating waters are a few of the reasons anglers visit the lake.

All About Fishing in Lake Nacimiento, CA

Despite its current problem with mercury contamination, there’s a reason why anglers still visit Lake Nacimiento. When discussing fishing here, one should never forget to mention the white bass. Lake Nacimiento is the only lake in California stocked with this gamefish. Aside from white bass, there are plenty of freshwater gamefish found in its waters. Anglers will find largemouth and smallmouth bass, steelhead trout, bluegill, black crappie, and channel catfish in its waters. 

Anglers looking for largemouth bass should search on areas with plenty of rocks and brushes, as these are where they tend to congregate, while those looking for catfish should try looking at the lake’s shallower waters instead. Anglers can find bluegill almost anywhere in the lake, while crappie are on spots with cover. 

The lake’s tributaries provide anglers with additional fishing spots should they want to explore the area more. Popular fishing spots in Lake Nacimiento include Las Tablas Creek, Town Creek, Dip Creek, and the Oak Shores. 

For anglers wondering what the preferred fishing techniques are in the area, these are jigging, fly fishing, baitcasting, and trolling. Because of the high levels of mercury in Lake Nacimiento, catch-and-release is practiced here. 

Fishing Seasonality

Anglers looking to visit Lake Nacimiento will be pleased to know that fishing is an all-year-round activity here. The lake’s variety of gamefish means that when one gamefish isn’t available, there is a different one in season that anglers can catch instead. But for anglers looking to make the most of their trip here, the best months to go in Lake Nacimiento are from May to October. These months are when most of the gamefish are available in large numbers. Not just that, it’s also when the water temperature rises and makes the gamefish more active as well. If you’re planning to go during winter, try the lake’s deeper parts, as fish stay in the deeper water to maintain their temperature there.

Fishing Seasonality

Anglers looking to visit Lake Nacimiento will be pleased to know that fishing is an all-year-round activity here. The lake’s variety of gamefish means that when one gamefish isn’t available, there is a different one in season that anglers can catch instead. But for anglers looking to make the most of their trip here, the best months to go in Lake Nacimiento are from May to October. These months are when most of the gamefish are available in large numbers. Not just that, it’s also when the water temperature rises and makes the gamefish more active as well. If you’re planning to go during winter, try the lake’s deeper parts, as fish stay in the deeper water to maintain their temperature there.

All About Fishing in Lake Nacimiento, CA

Despite its current problem with mercury contamination, there’s a reason why anglers still visit Lake Nacimiento. When discussing fishing here, one should never forget to mention the white bass. Lake Nacimiento is the only lake in California stocked with this gamefish. Aside from white bass, there are plenty of freshwater gamefish found in its waters. Anglers will find largemouth and smallmouth bass, steelhead trout, bluegill, black crappie, and channel catfish in its waters. 

Anglers looking for largemouth bass should search on areas with plenty of rocks and brushes, as these are where they tend to congregate, while those looking for catfish should try looking at the lake’s shallower waters instead. Anglers can find bluegill almost anywhere in the lake, while crappie are on spots with cover. 

The lake’s tributaries provide anglers with additional fishing spots should they want to explore the area more. Popular fishing spots in Lake Nacimiento include Las Tablas Creek, Town Creek, Dip Creek, and the Oak Shores. 

For anglers wondering what the preferred fishing techniques are in the area, these are jigging, fly fishing, baitcasting, and trolling. Because of the high levels of mercury in Lake Nacimiento, catch-and-release is practiced here.