Lake Camanche

Lake Camanche sits in the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevada and is located in the heart of historic gold country. Camanche is one of California's premier bass lakes.

The municipality of Camanche originally went by the name 'Limerick' and then by 'Clay's Bar' before finally, in 1849, was designated 'Camanche' (after a town in Iowa). Interestingly, this town was completely flooded by the East Bay Municipal Utility District in 1962 in order to create today's Camanche Lake. Many buildings and artifacts survived, creating a veritable underwater ghost town just perfect for scuba diving exploration.

Fish Species

Rainbow trout, large and small mouth bass, spotted bass, catfish, kokanee, crappie, bluegill and sunfish

Shoreline access is available to anglers at both shores. There is also shoreline access upriver, only available by boat.

A $4.00 fishing access fee is charged per angler, per day. 100 percent of this money is used to fund our stocking program and improve the lake's overall fishery.

A State Fishing License is also required for all fisherman 16 years of age and older. Both daily and annual Licenses may be purchased at our marinas.

Lake Camanche Recreation Website | Phone: (209) 763-5121