Fishing at Bailey Reservoir, Lassen County, California

• Overview

  Bailey Reservoir is one of the Lassen County waters in California. It stands 5,574 feet above sea level. At roughly 9 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. 27 miles away sits Susanville, the nearest town. It is 98 miles to Reno, the nearest city. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Bailey Reservoir

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Species logged across Lassen County include rainbow trout, tahoe sucker and Sacramento sucker. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Bailey Reservoir a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 62°F, while January sits near 27°F. Whether it freezes depends on the year. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. On Bailey Reservoir the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. A phone call first saves an afternoon. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Glade Reservoir at 2.5 miles is the sensible second choice. What applies at Bailey Reservoir may have changed since it was mapped.