Lake Cachuma
Lake Cachuma is one of the lakes in California. The main target species are Bluegill, White Bass and Smallmouth Bass.
Best day to fish
The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.
Conditions right now
Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.
Best times today
Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.
Feeding times today
Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.
Next hours
Likely catch now (11 species)
About the fishing here
Popular catches here include Bluegill, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass and Rainbow Trout.
For Bluegill, the fishing tends to peak around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.
A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.
Guides for this water
Tips right now
Fishing permit
A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:
About this water
Cachuma Lake is a reservoir in the Santa Ynez Valley of central Santa Barbara County, California on the Santa Ynez River adjoining the north side of California State Route 154. The artificial lake was created by the construction of Bradbury Dam, a 201 ft (61 m) earth-fill structure built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1953. Its surface area covers 3,100 acres (1,300 ha), with a maximum design capacity of 205,000 acre⋅ft (253,000,000 m3), but it is currently limited to 188,000 acre⋅ft (232,000,000 m3) due to sediment accumulation. The late-December 2022 and early-January 2023 storms dramatically raised the water level in the lake, from an average of 33% full to 100% full for the first time in 12 years.
Read more on Wikipedia →Map
More waters nearby
Common questions
What fish can you catch at Lake Cachuma?
Anglers here regularly land Bluegill, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Black Crappie and Flathead Catfish.
Do you need a fishing license at Lake Cachuma?
Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.
When is the best time to fish Lake Cachuma?
For Bluegill, the fishing tends to peak around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.
What is biting at Lake Cachuma right now?
Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 31%.