Freshwater · Valley
Trout - Lake
These notes are district-general defaults. Search your lake or stream first — special waters override these rules. Full booklet: 2026 Freshwater Guide. Catch reports: Fish data.
Species group
TROUT
Season
District general (CCR §7.00(d)): All anadromous waters except those listed by name in Special Regulations: open all year (for hatchery trout/steelhead under the bag below), closed to salmon unless a Special Regulation says otherwise. Major rivers (Sacramento, Feather, American, etc.) usually have detailed Special Regulation subsections — look up the reach by name. Lakes & reservoirs (unless named specially): generally open all year under statewide inland trout rules — verify in the guide. IMPORTANT: If your lake, river, or stream is named in the Alphabetical List of Waters with Special Fishing Regulations (2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Guide), those special rules override this district default.
Season notes
Hatchery trout/steelhead = healed adipose fin clip (adipose absent). Unless otherwise provided, wild trout/steelhead must be released immediately.
Daily bag limit
§7.00(d) anadromous default: 2 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead per day; 4 in possession. Closed to salmon unless Special Regulations allow. Typical lakes/reservoirs (if not listed specially): 5 trout per day / 10 in possession — confirm in the guide. IMPORTANT: If your lake, river, or stream is named in the Alphabetical List of Waters with Special Fishing Regulations (2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Guide), those special rules override this district default.
Minimum size
See special-water listing for size limits on named reaches.
Gear restrictions
Named Valley rivers often require barbless hooks and have seasonal salmon closures — follow the Special Regulation for that reach.
Identification
Lake trout are the largest of the chars; the record weighed almost 46.3 kilograms (102 lb) (netted) with a length of 50 inches (130 cm), and 15– to 40-pound fish are not uncommon. The average length is 24–36 inches (61–91 centimetres). The largest caught on a rod and reel according to the IGFA was 72 pounds (33 kg).