Matilija Lake Fishing near Meiners Oaks, California

• Overview

  Matilija Lake lies within the bounds of Ventura County, California. Height above sea level is 1,112 feet. Around 30 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Meiners Oaks lies 3.3 miles from the water. Then Mira Monte, 4 miles, and Ojai, 4.7 miles. What else is close: Mirror Lake 4.6 miles away, Lake Casitas some 7.6 miles off, Lower Rose Lake 7.9 miles away, Upper Rose Lake some 8 miles off and Jameson Lake 11 miles away. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Matilija Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Public wildlife records from this area list rainbow trout, black bullhead, green sunfish, largemouth bass and arroyo chub. Treat it as evidence of what swims in the area. At Matilija Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 52°F in January and 71°F in August. Cold never becomes a factor on this one. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to be out. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. It sets the rhythm of the year at Matilija Lake. Rain lifts the level and moves fish about.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. For a change of water, Mirror Lake is 4.6 miles distant. Confirm before you fish Matilija Lake.