Kent Lake in Marin County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  California holds Kent Lake, in Marin County. The water sits 384 feet up. Ground here is low by California standards. For supplies, Lagunitas-Forest Knolls is 1.6 miles out. The nearest city of size is Richmond, 20 miles away. Also worth knowing: Hagmaier Pond South just 1.9 miles, 4.5 miles away is Bass Lake, Crystal Lake just 4.6 miles, 4.8 miles away is Wildcat Lake and Pelican Lake just 5 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Kent Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Records held for Marin County cover striped bass, Chinook salmon and Coho salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Anyone new to Kent Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 49°F to 63°F. Winter is a mild inconvenience here, nothing more. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to be out. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Expect Kent Lake to follow that timing. Sudden cold puts fish down faster than sustained cold does.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Hagmaier Pond South at 1.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Treat Kent Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.