About West Corral de Piedra, CA

West Corral de Piedra is a stream located in San Luis Obispo County and has an elevation of 194 feet. The creek gets its water from a small lake found south of Oil Well Canyon. The lake’s water is managed by the Righetti 743 dam, where its waters run south until it converges with East Corral de Piedra. It forms Pismo creek, and its water exits into the Pacific Ocean.

San Luis Obispo was first inhabited by the Chumash Native Americans, who scientists believe, have been in the area for thousands of years. Spanish explorers found and claimed the area in 1772, naming it after St. Louis of Anjou. Fast forward a couple of decades, San Luis Obispo became part of Mexico after its independence from Spain. After the Mexican-American War, the county became part of the United States, along with the rest of California. 

All About Fishing in West Corral de Piedra, CA

While West Corral de Piedra serves primarily as irrigation for the various vineyards in the community, it is still inhabited by popular game fish of mostly bass (largemouth and smallmouth) and trout (rainbow and steelhead).

Largemouth and smallmouth bass can differ in terms of how to catch it, but are similar in that they’re both tough fighters. Largemouth bass are a little bit tougher because they weigh much more, from 10 to 20 lbs or even more. Comparatively, most smallmouth bass will only weigh an average of up to 4 lbs. However, equipment-wise, anglers can opt to use 6 or 8-weight rods depending on the fish’s size. Using a disk drag also helps when trying to catch a largemouth bass. When preparing bait, both fish respond well to the use of insects, jigs, minnows, and plugs. Their habitats are polar opposites as the smallmouth bass can be found in clear waters and are more fond of cooler waters. Comparatively, the largemouth bass can be found in muddy waters, swimming around ditches, weeds, and debris.

West Corral de Piedra is also home to rainbow trout. These fish are native to the United States, as well as Mexico and even Canada. Rainbow trout prefer natural cover like vegetation and weeds. Otherwise, they can also be found in streams with strong currents. Rainbow trout weigh an average of 1 to 8 lbs and can be 16-34” long. There are a variety of ways to try and catch rainbow trout including nymph fly fishing, dry fly fishing, emergers and buggers fly fishing. Anglers can also use a variety of lures and baits such as spoons, spinners, and plugs, as well as worms, flies and roe. 

Another trout found in the area is the steelhead. These fish live most of their lives in the sea but migrate to freshwater lakes when they spawn. In lakes, they are mostly found in fallen wood, boulders, and vegetation. Steelhead trout can weigh anywhere from 2-35 lbs, with the heaviest trout being recorded at 55 lbs. They can also have an average length of 24 inches.

A variety of fishing techniques can be used on steelhead including drifting, trolling, and fly fishing. When fly fishing, anglers recommend the use of either  a single or double-handed rod as they’re both effective. A 7-weight 13.5 foot Spey rod is also a great rod for fly fishing anglers. Finally, using #6 to #8 flies like Golden Demon, Max Canyon, or Purple Peril will also help.

Fishing Seasonality

West Corral de Piedra can offer fruitful fishing trips all-year long. Smallmouth bass are more commonly found during spring, from April to June. As rainbow trout commonly spawn around this time, they are also best caught during spring. Largemouth bass can be caught best after their spawning season by the end of spring and all throughout summer, from June to September. Finally, steelhead can be caught during mid-fall up until spring.

Fishing Seasonality

West Corral de Piedra can offer fruitful fishing trips all-year long. Smallmouth bass are more commonly found during spring, from April to June. As rainbow trout commonly spawn around this time, they are also best caught during spring. Largemouth bass can be caught best after their spawning season by the end of spring and all throughout summer, from June to September. Finally, steelhead can be caught during mid-fall up until spring.

All About Fishing in West Corral de Piedra, CA

While West Corral de Piedra serves primarily as irrigation for the various vineyards in the community, it is still inhabited by popular game fish of mostly bass (largemouth and smallmouth) and trout (rainbow and steelhead).

Largemouth and smallmouth bass can differ in terms of how to catch it, but are similar in that they’re both tough fighters. Largemouth bass are a little bit tougher because they weigh much more, from 10 to 20 lbs or even more. Comparatively, most smallmouth bass will only weigh an average of up to 4 lbs. However, equipment-wise, anglers can opt to use 6 or 8-weight rods depending on the fish’s size. Using a disk drag also helps when trying to catch a largemouth bass. When preparing bait, both fish respond well to the use of insects, jigs, minnows, and plugs. Their habitats are polar opposites as the smallmouth bass can be found in clear waters and are more fond of cooler waters. Comparatively, the largemouth bass can be found in muddy waters, swimming around ditches, weeds, and debris.

West Corral de Piedra is also home to rainbow trout. These fish are native to the United States, as well as Mexico and even Canada. Rainbow trout prefer natural cover like vegetation and weeds. Otherwise, they can also be found in streams with strong currents. Rainbow trout weigh an average of 1 to 8 lbs and can be 16-34” long. There are a variety of ways to try and catch rainbow trout including nymph fly fishing, dry fly fishing, emergers and buggers fly fishing. Anglers can also use a variety of lures and baits such as spoons, spinners, and plugs, as well as worms, flies and roe. 

Another trout found in the area is the steelhead. These fish live most of their lives in the sea but migrate to freshwater lakes when they spawn. In lakes, they are mostly found in fallen wood, boulders, and vegetation. Steelhead trout can weigh anywhere from 2-35 lbs, with the heaviest trout being recorded at 55 lbs. They can also have an average length of 24 inches.

A variety of fishing techniques can be used on steelhead including drifting, trolling, and fly fishing. When fly fishing, anglers recommend the use of either  a single or double-handed rod as they’re both effective. A 7-weight 13.5 foot Spey rod is also a great rod for fly fishing anglers. Finally, using #6 to #8 flies like Golden Demon, Max Canyon, or Purple Peril will also help.