1. United States/
  2. Catfish fishing in the United States/
  3. California/
  4. Catfish fishing in California

Catfish fishing in California

California provides excellent catfish fishing in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs statewide. Channel and white bullhead grow large in California, making it a favorite spot for bottom-fishing enthusiasts.

Best baits and lures for Catfish in California

According to catch data from over 20 million anglers on Fishbrain, these are the best baits used to catch Catfish.

Fishbrain
Stop guessing and start catching

Find out what lures to use, download the Fishbrain app!

Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app

Biggest Catfish catches

Explore your local leaderboard—see the top catches in the app.

Latest Catfish fishing reports in California

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Santa Ana River Lakes

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Central Main Canal

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Heritage Lake

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Colusa Basin Drainage Canal

14 in · 2 lb

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Rancho Santa Margarita Lake

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Rancho Santa Margarita Lake

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Rancho Santa Margarita Lake

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Blue catfish

California Aqueduct

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Central Main Canal

21 in · 2 lb 6 oz

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Shaffer Lake West

20 in · 4 lb

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

Regulations for Catfish in California

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.

No regulations for this area yet

We are working on adding regulations to your area. Please contact your regulation provider and ask them to support Fishbrain.

Regulations for

37°16′9″N 119°18′25.3″W
Regulations in the map
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

FAQ

🎣 What Catfish species can you catch in California?
Anglers in California commonly catch several Catfish species, including Channel catfish, Blue catfish, Flathead catfish, and Redtail catfish, according to reports from Fishbrain members.

These species can be found in many coastal waters, lakes throughout the area. If you are targeting a specific species, you can use the to filter catches by species and see where anglers are catching them and which baits they are using.
📍 Where are the best places to catch Catfish in California?
Catfish are caught in coastal waters, lakes throughout California. Popular fishing waters reported by Fishbrain members include San Francisco Bay, Lake Balboa, and Puddingstone Reservoir.

The allows anglers to see exact catch locations shared by other members, helping you discover productive fishing spots where Catfish have recently been caught.