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Half Moon Lake

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

California, United States

2 catches

Top fish species at Half Moon Lake

Cabezon
Cabezon
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Half Moon Lake fishing reports

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Black rockfish

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Cabezon

length · weight

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General info

Half Moon Lake is a lake located in El Dorado County, California, United States. It is most popular for fishing Cabezon.

Location

38°53′45.9″N 120°08′16.1″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Half Moon Lake, CA

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in California can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: November 1 - November 30
Cabezon

Cabezon

Regulation boundaryCA San Francisco Area
Bag limit10

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit10

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Special gear

1 Line 2 Hooks

When angling, gear is restricted to not more than two hooks and one line. For purposes of this section, a hook is a single hook, or double or treble hook with multiple points connected to a common shank.

Restrictions & requirements

CA Spearfishing

Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from season and depth restrictions affecting the RCG complex and other federally managed groundfish. Shore-based anglers are fishermen that fish from beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other manmade structures connected to the shore. Divers are spear fishermen entering the water either from the shore or from a boat or other floating object. The possession and transit provisions described for shore-based anglers, and divers are as follows: (1) When angling from shore (includes beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other man−made structures connected to the shore), allspecies may be taken and/or possessed year−round. No vessel or watercraft may be used to assist in the take, transport and/or possession of these species under this provision. (2) When diving or spearfishing all species may be taken and/or possessed year−round. When boat−based groundfish fishing is closed, all types of fishing gear, except spearfishing gear, areprohibited to be aboard the vessel or watercraft when taking and/or possessing these species under this provision.

CA Shore-based Anglers

Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from season and depth restrictions affecting the RCG complex and other federally managed groundfish. Shore-based anglers are fishermen that fish from beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other manmade structures connected to the shore. Divers are spear fishermen entering the water either from the shore or from a boat or other floating object. The possession and transit provisions described for shore-based anglers, and divers are as follows: (1) When angling from shore (includes beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other man−made structures connected to the shore), allspecies may be taken and/or possessed year−round. No vessel or watercraft may be used to assist in the take, transport and/or possession of these species under this provision. (2) When diving or spearfishing all species may be taken and/or possessed year−round. When boat−based groundfish fishing is closed, all types of fishing gear, except spearfishing gear, areprohibited to be aboard the vessel or watercraft when taking and/or possessing these species under this provision.

CA Descending Device

DESCENDING DEVICES REQUIRED: No Person shall take or possess any federal groundfish from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters without a descending device in possession.

Additional information
Season Exceptions: May 1 - Sept 30: 20 Fathom - Inshore Only (Take is prohibited seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) boundary line.)Nov 1 - Nov 30: 20 Fathom - Inshore Only (Take is prohibited seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) boundary line.)This species is included in the 10 fish RCG Complex limit, and also within the overall 20 finfish aggregate limit.For the latest information, call the Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Hotline at 1-813-649-2801.
Synonyms
Scorpaenichthys marmoratus
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Local laws and licenses

California fishing license

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Cities nearby

Meyers

7.7 miles away

South Lake Tahoe

8.9 miles away

Stateline

11.5 miles away

Tahoma

11.6 miles away

Round Hill Village

13.4 miles away

Zephyr Cove

13.6 miles away

Lakeridge

14.5 miles away

Kirkwood

14.6 miles away

Skyland

14.7 miles away

Kingsbury

15.1 miles away

Logan Creek

16.0 miles away

Glenbrook

17.8 miles away

Genoa

18.8 miles away

Mesa Vista

18.9 miles away

Minden

20.4 miles away

Gardnerville Ranchos

21.3 miles away

Gardnerville

21.8 miles away

Markleeville

22.4 miles away

Indian Hills

22.6 miles away

East Valley

23.8 miles away

Ruhenstroth

24.4 miles away

Johnson Lane

24.6 miles away

Fish Springs

26.5 miles away

Carter Springs

26.8 miles away

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FAQ about Half Moon Lake fishing

📍 Where is Half Moon Lake located?
Half Moon Lake is a lake located in El Dorado County, California, United States. Its coordinates are:
38°53′45.9″N 120°08′16.1″W
.
🎣 Where on Half Moon Lake is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Half Moon Lake by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Half Moon Lake?
The most common species in Half Moon Lake are:
  • Cabezon - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Half Moon Lake fishing reports?
The latest Half Moon Lake fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Half Moon Lake right now?
According to fishing regulations at Half Moon Lake, some of the species in season this November include: Chinook salmon, Lingcod, Pacific halibut, Cabezon, and Copper rockfish. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Half Moon Lake?

Fishing in California requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include daily, annual, or combination licenses for residents and non-residents, purchasable online or at sporting goods stores.

In California, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. There is no universal senior exemption. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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