Cottonwood Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Riverside County entry here is Cottonwood Lake, in California. The surface lies 1,476 feet up. Head to Green Acres, 4.1 miles away, for anything you forgot. The nearest city of size is Moreno Valley, 16 miles away. Others within reach: San Jacinto Reservoir lies 2.3 miles on, The Lake at Gold Base some 4 miles off, Diamond Valley Lake lies 7.1 miles on, Little Lake some 7.7 miles off and Ski Land Lake lies 8 miles on. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Cottonwood Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Species logged nearby in open biodiversity records include black bullhead, bluegill and green sunfish. Records come from public data, not from a stocking programme. Anyone new to Cottonwood Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 79°F and January about 51°F. Every month fishes, though midsummer narrows the useful hours. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to be out. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. It holds true on Cottonwood Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. Toilets are 120 yards away, which matters on a long session. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. For a change of water, San Jacinto Reservoir is 2.3 miles distant. Treat access at Cottonwood Lake as something to verify.