North Fork Cache Creek is a River located in Lake County, CA. Starting in Upper Lake, CA the North Fork Cache Creek flows 39 miles through Clearlake Oaks, CA before ending in Clearlake, CA. The North Fork Cache Creek rises to an elevation of 942 feet and has a surface area of 2,959,377 square miles. Find maps, fishing guides, weather and recreation information at Guidesly.

About North Fork Cache Creek, CA

North Fork Cache Creek is one of the two major tributaries of Cache Creek, the other being Bear Creek. It runs for 36 miles, beginning in Lake County in the Mendocino National Forest, then running eastward to join Bartlett Creek before meeting the Indian Valley Reservoir. From there, it flows south before turning east once more along State Route 20 and through the Cache Creek Wilderness Area.

Cache Creek was a mercury mining hotspot in the 1800s and 1900s. In 2004, the California Environmental Protection Agency warned against consuming fish caught in Cache Creek and its surrounding areas due to continually increasing levels of mercury, particularly in places like North Fork and Bear Creek, which are both situated near old mercury mines. In 2014, the prohibition of fish consumption remained, so it’s safe to assume that fish from Cache Creek are still unsafe to consume.

All About Fishing in North Fork Cache Creek, CA

Cache Creek is one of the most well-known whitewater creeks in California, making it a hotspot for tourists and kayakers. Because of rapid currents, the fish you’re likely to find here are strong swimmers, capable of swimming upstream such as rainbow trout, northern pike, and black bullhead catfish. Rainbow trout are easiest to catch at dusk with artificial lures and baits such as spoons, spinners, worms, and flies. They eat larvae, insects, and small fish. Northern pike are notoriously carnivorous and feed on most other fish that come their way. Larger ones are even capable of eating frogs and rodents. Lure these voracious eaters using spoons and inline spinners and reel them in slowly so as not to scare them away. Black bullhead catfish are omnivorous and can be caught using sharp hooks that can pierce their skulls. Other fish you can find in North Fork Cache Creek include crappie, common carp, and bluegill.

While you can fish from the shore, a boat will give you more access and flexibility, particularly if you want to fish at the Indian Valley Reservoir, which is a longer trip from the start of North Fork. If you’re taking a boat, be sure to look out for brush hazards during low flows. Many of these fish are very greedy eaters and can be easily lured with insect baits. You can also catch them with nymphing fly fishing and drifting artificial lures. These fish are also capable of putting up a good fight, so it’s best to come prepared. Northern pikes are particularly vicious fighters and have sharp teeth, so use a 7-foot rod to help you keep your distance from them as you reel them in. To keep them from breaking the line with their teeth, use more durable variants, such as heavier braided lines of at least 15-20 pounds. 

Fishing Seasonality

The best time to catch many of the species available at North Fork is at dusk and dawn. During the brighter part of the day, you might have more luck catching fish in shady spots or places with more vegetation since fish are likely to feel less vulnerable there. A drawback to fishing in California is that the state is home to many rattlesnakes. Unfortunately, their most active months coincide with peak fishing season - they emerge from their winter hibernation in March and are active through August. Some can even still be spotted as late as October. While rattlesnakes can be active any time of day, they can also be nocturnal, and are capable of swimming. Be sure to wear long pants and hiking boots and to stay away from tall grasses and underbrushes.

Fishing Seasonality

The best time to catch many of the species available at North Fork is at dusk and dawn. During the brighter part of the day, you might have more luck catching fish in shady spots or places with more vegetation since fish are likely to feel less vulnerable there. A drawback to fishing in California is that the state is home to many rattlesnakes. Unfortunately, their most active months coincide with peak fishing season - they emerge from their winter hibernation in March and are active through August. Some can even still be spotted as late as October. While rattlesnakes can be active any time of day, they can also be nocturnal, and are capable of swimming. Be sure to wear long pants and hiking boots and to stay away from tall grasses and underbrushes.

All About Fishing in North Fork Cache Creek, CA

Cache Creek is one of the most well-known whitewater creeks in California, making it a hotspot for tourists and kayakers. Because of rapid currents, the fish you’re likely to find here are strong swimmers, capable of swimming upstream such as rainbow trout, northern pike, and black bullhead catfish. Rainbow trout are easiest to catch at dusk with artificial lures and baits such as spoons, spinners, worms, and flies. They eat larvae, insects, and small fish. Northern pike are notoriously carnivorous and feed on most other fish that come their way. Larger ones are even capable of eating frogs and rodents. Lure these voracious eaters using spoons and inline spinners and reel them in slowly so as not to scare them away. Black bullhead catfish are omnivorous and can be caught using sharp hooks that can pierce their skulls. Other fish you can find in North Fork Cache Creek include crappie, common carp, and bluegill.

While you can fish from the shore, a boat will give you more access and flexibility, particularly if you want to fish at the Indian Valley Reservoir, which is a longer trip from the start of North Fork. If you’re taking a boat, be sure to look out for brush hazards during low flows. Many of these fish are very greedy eaters and can be easily lured with insect baits. You can also catch them with nymphing fly fishing and drifting artificial lures. These fish are also capable of putting up a good fight, so it’s best to come prepared. Northern pikes are particularly vicious fighters and have sharp teeth, so use a 7-foot rod to help you keep your distance from them as you reel them in. To keep them from breaking the line with their teeth, use more durable variants, such as heavier braided lines of at least 15-20 pounds.