Covington Lake Fishing in Monterey County, California

• Overview

  Covington Lake is a Monterey County water, California side. The setting is open plain. It covers about 2 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It is a small entry by Monterey County standards. Some 14 miles away sits Shandon, the nearest settlement. San Miguel is 18 miles and Avenal 19 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Covington Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Records held for Monterey County cover flathead grey mullet, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, pink salmon and rainbow trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. At Covington Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 76°F in July and bottoms out near 46°F in December. Warm months push fish deep; cool months bring them back. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Covington Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Records show it does not hold water year-round. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Kerr Lake sits 6.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish Covington Lake.