Fishing at Milliken Reservoir, Napa County, California

• Overview

  The Napa County end of California holds Milliken Reservoir. The sea is 18 miles distant. Surface area is around 41 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The closest town, Napa, is 6.6 miles distant. For a city, Fairfield is 14 miles off. What else is close: Mud Lake 4 miles away, Lake Madigan within 5.3 miles, Lake Curry 5.5 miles away, Moskowitz Reservoir within 5.7 miles and Lake Frey 6.5 miles away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Milliken Reservoir

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. County-wide records name Chinook salmon, rainbow trout and Sacramento sucker. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. The shape of Milliken Reservoir decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 71°F and December near 46°F. The surface stays open the year round. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer squeezes it into the edges of the day. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Expect Milliken Reservoir to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Mud Lake sits 4 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Milliken Reservoir before loading the car.