Fishing Warner Lake in Monterey County, California

• Overview

  Warner Lake is one of the Monterey County listings for California. Elevation runs to 20 feet. This is a pocket water of some 9 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It is low-lying compared with other California water we list. Nearest place of any size is Las Lomas, 1.1 miles away. Pajaro is 1.7 miles and Watsonville 2.2 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Warner Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. The tide is the timetable on this water; two hours either side of the change usually fish hardest. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Take Warner Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put September near 64°F and January near 50°F. The hard part of the year is the heat, not the cold. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Time your trip to Warner Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Failing this one, try Drew Lake, 3.9 miles away. Treat Warner Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.