Los Banos Reservoir, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In California, Los Banos Reservoir falls inside Merced County. The ground round it is dry rangeland. At 469 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. The shoreline runs about 5.3 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. It lies lower than most water we list in California. Los Banos lies 7.5 miles from the water. It is 45 miles to Salinas, the nearest city. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Los Banos Reservoir

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Merced County records list common carp, striped bass, Sacramento sucker, bluegill and channel catfish among the fish reported. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Los Banos Reservoir responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 79°F and December near 46°F. Summer heat is the limit here, not winter cold. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Los Banos Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. A boat ramp sits about half a mile from the water. A pier or jetty stands half a mile away, which helps on a crowded bank. Mapping shows a campsite some half a mile from the water. Mapping shows a picnic spot within 0.9 miles. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. O'Neill Forebay sits 8.7 miles off and takes the overflow. The position on Los Banos Reservoir is worth confirming on the day.