One of the oldest activities in human history is fishing. Originally adopted primarily for acquiring food for millennia, one can say that fishing is ingrained in our DNA.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 38,402,443 Fishing Licenses were purchased in 2017.*
Fishing remains an extremely popular past time in the United States. Recreational fishing is regulated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at the Federal Level, and by State Agencies such as the Department of Fish & Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, or Parks & Wildlife. The state agencies work closely with biologists to determine which seasons, types of fishing methods, and numbers of fish balance recreation, but do not harm their populations.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife require that all anglers over 16 years of age purchase a fishing license. The license is easily obtained at a sporting goods retailer, or gas stations near popular fishing destinations. At Castaic Lake, there is a tackle shop on the boat ramp that is extremely convenient. Resident & Non-Resident, Daily, Annual, and Lifetime Fishing Licenses are available, think about how long your trip is, or how many times a year you plan on going to find out which license fits you best.
Where do I go?
The obvious answer? Probably in the water.
For most San Fernando residents who would like to try fishing close to home, Hansen Dam on the eastern border, and Lake Balboa on the western border of the Valley provide easy access fishing opportunities.
Check out this article published by the World Fishing Network
10 Places to Catch a Fish in Los Angeles
A great resource for finding places to go fishing in California is the Site Navigation Directory
What am I Fishing For?
Fish! Wait, there are different species. Here are a few found in Southern California Waters.
Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted)
If you are in Southern California, you are in one of the bass fishing hot spots of the world. Most of the largest bass ever caught have come from Castaic Lake, in the Santa Clarita Valley. The trophy bass potential has made Castaic Lake world famous. Lucky for those near Los Angeles Mission College, the lake is a 29 minute drive from the campus.
Trout
If bass fishing is not at the top of your list, there is amazing trout fishing near the San Fernando Valley in neighboring Angeles National Forest. Hiking is often required to access the streams high in the mountains. Once anglers find their honey hole, they are very rarely publicly shared. Part of the draw of high country trout fishing is the adventure along the way.
The folks over at TackleTour.com wrote about the different species of trout they found in California’s pristine Yosemite High Country
Bluegill (Pan Fish)
These fish are the best to pursue when introducing children to fishing. They are found in almost every body of water from the smallest city ponds, to the largest reservoirs, and river systems. Targeting the bluegill requires very minimal fishing tackle, and they are often caught right from the bank in less than 10 feet of water. When the water is clear, the angler can sometimes see the fish come up, and take the bait- a real thriller for the kids!
I just bought a fishing rod, and a license… Now what?
If you did not grow up around fishing, you may be completely new to fishing tackle. For beginners, a spinning setup is almost universally recommended. Take a look at this informative video to get you started.
You need to learn how to bait your hook. The folks over at Wired2Fish have put together an extremely helpful guide to 5 Bass Fishing Rigs Every Angler Should Know. Print out the page, and take it to the lake with you!
Nick, also known as The Informative Fisherman, has recorded a 10 minute rundown of fishing basics to help the most novice angler get started. He has a great content, and can be used as a reference for both beginner, and advanced anglers!
Don’t forget to take a kid fishing!
What might seem like a small trip to the lake one day may change that kid’s life.
Good luck, and tight lines…
Sources:
*Fishing License Data Provided by: U.S.F.W.S.- National Fishing License Report 2017
*