Penitencia Creek is a River located in Santa Clara County, CA. Starting in San Jose, CA the Penitencia Creek flows 6 miles through Milpitas, CA before ending in Milpitas, CA. The Penitencia Creek rises to an elevation of 16 feet and has a surface area of 3,500 square miles. Find maps, fishing guides, weather and recreation information at Guidesly.

About Penitencia Creek, CA

Penitencia Creek is located in Santa Clara County, California, situated near the city of Milpitas. The creek is divided into two sections, namely, Upper Penitencia Creek and Lower Penitencia Creek. Both of which are tributaries of Coyote Creek. 

During the Spanish era in California, the area in proximity to the creek was used by priests when they wished to repent or hear confessions. Because of this, locals gave the creek the name Penetencia Creek. During the 1850s, the upper portion of the creek was diverted southwestward by farmers in order to irrigate their farmlands, therefore dividing the creek into two sections, hence the upper and lower parts of the creek. Today, Upper Penitencia Creek functions as the drainage for water coming from Diablo Range’s Mount Hamilton. Lower Pinitencia Creek, on the other hand, serves as a catch basin of all surrounding creeks such as Piedmont Creek, Arroyo de Los Coches, Tularcitos Creek, Berryessa Creek,  and Calera Creek before the water flows to Coyote Creek. 

Pinitencia Creek is also surrounded by a number of parks, such as the 15-acre Penitencia Creek Gardens and the famous Penitencia Creek Trail. Both are famous among locals and tourists looking to enjoy recreational activities such as biking, hiking, skating, wildlife observation, and fishing. 

All About Fishing in Penitencia Creek, CA

In comparison with other creeks in Santa Clara Valley, Penitencia Creek does not have concrete embankments. Instead, it follows a natural course making it an excellent spawning location for fish. Due to the common occurrence of drought in Santa Clara County as well as the many water passage blockages near the exits of the creek, fish in Penitencia Creek is not that abundant. To combat this, the community comes together to conserve water and lessen water usage. This effort avoids drying up water reserves such as Penitencia Creek, allowing thousands of fish to spawn even during the warmer months. Historically, Penitencia Creek used to be a hot spot for chinook salmon. However, the number of chinook salmon found in Penitencia Creek today is close to none. Upper Penitencia Creek is known for its abundance of steelhead trout. Penitencia Creek is also an excellent urban bass fishing spot, where anglers could catch spotted bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, smallmouth bass. And on rare occurrences, anglers can find rainbow trout and California scorpionfish here as well. 

Fly fishing and spinning are the most common fishing techniques used by anglers in Penitencia Creek. Waters in Penitencia Creek is mostly calm, making it suitable for anglers of all skill levels. However, fly fishing would be a more suitable option since the creek follows a natural and constant water flow in most parts. 

Fishing Seasonality

In California, steelhead typically spawns between December and April. For anglers looking to experience Penitencia Creek’s urban bass fishing opportunities, visiting the creek during the summer season (around June to August) is best. However, bass in all water bodies in California is typically abundant all year round.  According to records, the best time to fish in Penitencia Creek is around 4:00 am to 7:00 am or late at night when the water is at its coolest temperature. 

Fishing Seasonality

In California, steelhead typically spawns between December and April. For anglers looking to experience Penitencia Creek’s urban bass fishing opportunities, visiting the creek during the summer season (around June to August) is best. However, bass in all water bodies in California is typically abundant all year round.  According to records, the best time to fish in Penitencia Creek is around 4:00 am to 7:00 am or late at night when the water is at its coolest temperature. 

All About Fishing in Penitencia Creek, CA

In comparison with other creeks in Santa Clara Valley, Penitencia Creek does not have concrete embankments. Instead, it follows a natural course making it an excellent spawning location for fish. Due to the common occurrence of drought in Santa Clara County as well as the many water passage blockages near the exits of the creek, fish in Penitencia Creek is not that abundant. To combat this, the community comes together to conserve water and lessen water usage. This effort avoids drying up water reserves such as Penitencia Creek, allowing thousands of fish to spawn even during the warmer months. Historically, Penitencia Creek used to be a hot spot for chinook salmon. However, the number of chinook salmon found in Penitencia Creek today is close to none. Upper Penitencia Creek is known for its abundance of steelhead trout. Penitencia Creek is also an excellent urban bass fishing spot, where anglers could catch spotted bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, smallmouth bass. And on rare occurrences, anglers can find rainbow trout and California scorpionfish here as well. 

Fly fishing and spinning are the most common fishing techniques used by anglers in Penitencia Creek. Waters in Penitencia Creek is mostly calm, making it suitable for anglers of all skill levels. However, fly fishing would be a more suitable option since the creek follows a natural and constant water flow in most parts.