Fishing at Wilson Reservoir, Butte County, California

• Overview

  Wilson Reservoir is one of the Butte County listings for California. It lies 1,381 feet above sea level. The water measures roughly 2 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Our Butte County list holds plenty of bigger water. The nearest town is Berry Creek, 6.7 miles away. The big place round here is Chico, 18 miles distant. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Wilson Reservoir

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Butte County: green sturgeon, Chinook salmon and striped bass. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Wilson Reservoir the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 78°F and December near 46°F on the long-run figures. Long warm spells define the calendar more than any cold. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Wilson Reservoir runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Morgan Reservoir, 0.3 miles out. For Wilson Reservoir in particular, ask before you travel.