Fishing Clifton Court Forebay in Contra Costa County, California

• Overview

  Contra Costa County in California is where Clifton Court Forebay sits. The coast is 12 miles away. At some 3.5 sq miles it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. Around 9.0 miles of bank, which is a long day on foot. Among the waters listed for Contra Costa County, none is wider. Supplies mean a trip to Byron, 3.9 miles off. Mountain House is 4.2 miles away, with Discovery Bay at 5 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Clifton Court Forebay

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Species logged across Contra Costa County include striped bass, green sturgeon, white sturgeon, Chinook salmon and rainbow trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Clifton Court Forebay responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 46°F to 73°F. The hard part of the year is the heat, not the cold. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. On Clifton Court Forebay that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Bethany Reservoir, 4.7 miles out. Check the position on Clifton Court Forebay before loading the car.