We're Closer than you Think!
Eagle Canyon is just 2.5 hours from Sacramento and 3-4 hours from the Bay Area. Most of our guests stay in Red Bluff. The lakes are a quick 30 minute drive from hotels in Red Bluff.
Use this map to learn the best wading and shore fishing areas in our two lakes.
The smaller (lower) pond is reserved for wading and shore fishing only.
Float tubing is allowed (but by no means necessary) on the upper pond.
On-site facilities include picnic tables, a shed, and a bathroom with running water and flush toilet. We have two picnic tables, one of which is covered with a roof. Our main shed has a portable heater, chairs, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and drinking water. The shed and covered picnic table make an excellent refuge from the elements. Many of our guests bring their own propane grills and cook their own lunch on our covered picnic table.
We have three float tubes available for rent for just $20/day. These are top-of-the-line Fish-Cat float tubes. They come complete with fins and a stripping basket. You can reserve them in advance or on the day of your trip. Feel free to bring your own float tube or pontoon boat. Float tubing is allowed in the upper lake only.
Recommended Tackle
Rods: Five- to seven-weight rods are recommended
Lines: Floating and intermediate (slow-sinking) lines work best. Clear intermediate lines (called "sly lines" or "slime lines") work great!
Float tubes: It's not necessary to use a float tube, but it is a lot of fun!
Clothing: Bring clothing suitable for both warm and wet, cool weather.
Streamers:
Woolly Bugger, #6-10
Marabou Leech, #6-10
Seal Bugger, #6-10
Zonkers, #6-8
Clouser Minnow, #6
Nymphs:
Balanced Leech, #8-10
Olive Damselfly Nymph, #8-10
Callibaetis Nymph, #14-18
Mercer's Micro Mayfly, #16-18
Hogan's S&M Nymph, #16-18
Pheasant Tail, #14-18
Midge Patterns, #14-18
Dries:
Callibaetis Cripple, #14-16
Traditional Adams, #14-16
Parachute Adams, #12-20
March Brown Dun, #12-14
Recommended Techniques for fishing Eagle Canyon
The two most productive techniques at Eagle Canyon are indicator nymphing and streamer fishing.
If you are a good caster and can land your flies gently on the water at distances up to fifty feet, you should consider trying both techniques throughout the day.
If you are new to fly fishing and/or have trouble casting beyond 25 feet, then indicator nymphing is going to be the best bet.
Rigging for Indicator Nymphing: We recommend fishing two different flies, spaced out 18" from the indicator and 18" from each other for a total depth of 3 feet.
Any style of indicator will work. There is no need to attach additional weights.
You might start with 3X tippet to the first fly and 4X tippet to the 2nd fly.
If fishing is tough, drop down to 4X and 5X tippet and use smaller flies.
The most productive nymphs are typically small mayfly patterns in sizes 16 and 18.
Examples include Mercer's Micro Mayfly, Hogan's S&M Nymph, Hot Spots, and Tailwater Tiny's.
Our fish like the newer jig-style flies, too.
Don't be afraid to fish even smaller midge patterns.
Rigging for Streamer Fishing: You can fish streamers on full floating, full sinking, and sink-tip lines at Eagle Canyon.
Start with 2X tippet and move to 3X tippet if the fish are not receptive.
On smaller streamres, size 10 and under, you may need to drop down to 4X tippet.
Since the average depth is only 4 feet, you will need to adjust your retrieve to keep your fly from snagging the bottom.
Fast-sinking lines call for fast retrieves.
Our fish sometimes respond well to large streamers fished on a fast retrieve.
If that doesn't work, slow down the retrieve and try smaller streamers.
The primary food sources in the lakes include Callibaetis and baetis mayflies, Damselflies, midges, and tadpoles.
The best way to be successful is to change flies and/or technique once every twenty minutes until you find something the fish like.
About Our Fish
Our trophy trout are raised in the clean, cold spring-fed waters of Mt. Lassen.
Plenty of five-pound-plus 'bows per day typify the kind of success that distinguishes our fishery; 10-pound-plus 'bows are hooked regularly.
If you seek a terrific getaway that has huge rainbows averaging six to eight pounds and many world-class fish in the double-digit category, we are your exclusive choice in California.
Care and Handling of The Trophy Trout
Due to the extreme value of these fish as a natural resource and due to their large size, we ask that you observe the following conditions:
Prior to Fishing:
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Due to the pristine conditions of our spring fed water source and trout, and in an effort to prevent cross contamination of specific fish diseases present in rivers of the West, you will be asked to immerse your float tubes, fins and waders in a non-harmful antiseptic dip prior to fishing. Your host will assist you with this procedure and will only take a few minutes per angler.
While Fishing:
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Barbless hooks only. We recommend size 6 and smaller.
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No rods lighter than a five-weight.
Releasing Your Fish:
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In general, avoid handling the fish any more than is absolutely necessary. Touching the fish can remove the protective mucous which is the fishes defensive mechanism against naturally occurring pathogens.
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No "landing" of fish. In other words, no fish on the banks.
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No fingers in gills.
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Measuring of fish: Please use a buddy and handle the fish as little as possible.
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Hero shots: We encourage this but ask that the fish not be out of the water any longer than ten seconds at a time. Please allow the fish to revive for one minute before pulling it out again.
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Release of fish: Use standard method of release. However, should a fish show excessive signs of stress and does not respond to standard techniques, follow these instructions. Cradle the fish in one arm, cup your other hand and "pump" water across the gills by pulling water from the cupped hand directly to the fishes mouth. This cycle should be repeated every two seconds until the fish responds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big are the lakes?
The big lake is about 3.5 acres and the small lake is 1.5 acres.
Both lakes are small enough to fish from shore or by wading.
Float tubing is allowed in the big lake.
Click here to view a map of the lakes.
How do I get to Eagle Canyon?
Scroll up to view a map showing the general location of Eagle Canyon.
Detailed driving directions will be forwarded to you upon booking.
The lakes are about 30 minutes from Red Bluff, California.
Will my group have exclusive access to the lakes?
Yes!
Any group with 2 or more anglers will enjoy exclusive access to our facilities.
Occasionally we can arrange to pair up single anglers.
There is a 2-person minimum for opening up the lakes on any given day.
Click here to view rates for different group sizes.
Do I need a fishing license?
No. A fishing license is not required to fish at Eagle Canyon.
What days of the week are the lakes open?
The lakes are open every day of the week.
We schedule a rest day before each booking to ensure the best possible fishing.
The lakes are not fished more than 2 days in a row, except when a single party wants to book consecutive days.
Can I fish Eagle Canyon two days in a row?
Yes. However, please be aware that the fishing is usually about half as good the 2nd day as the first day.
We have numerous groups that fish two days in a row each year, and many have done so for years.
If you have a large group from out of the area and are looking to extend your trip, we recommend fishing Eagle Canyon on day 1, fishing the Lower Sac or Trinity with our guides on day 2, and coming back to Eagle Canyon again on day 3 of your trip.
How big are the fish?
Our average fish is 6 pounds.
The smallest fish are about 3 pounds and the largest are over 15 pounds.
Can I keep any fish?
No. The lakes are open to catch and release fly fishing only.
Do I need to use a float tube?
No. About two-thirds of our guests fish from shore or wade.
You can catch plenty of fish from shore.
Can you provide float tubes to rent?
Yes! We have three "Fish Cat" float tubes available to rent, complete with stripping baskets and flippers.
We charge $20 per day to rent a tube.