Northern California:

1. Clear Lake:

   Located in Lake County, Clear Lake is renowned for its excellent fishing opportunities. This expansive lake offers a wide range of fish species, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, and crappie. When SUP fishing at Clear Lake, consider using lures such as plastic worms, jigs, or topwater baits for bass. For catfish, try using cut bait, chicken liver, or stink baits. Crappie can be targeted with small jigs or live minnows.

2. Lake Almanor:

   Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Almanor is a scenic destination for SUP fishing. This picturesque lake is home to a variety of fish, including trout (rainbow, brown, and brook), smallmouth bass, and catfish. To target trout, consider using lures such as spoons, spinners, or natural baits like worms or PowerBait. Smallmouth bass can be enticed with plastic worms, jigs, or crankbaits. Catfish are often caught using cut bait, chicken liver, or stink baits.

3. Shasta Lake:

   Situated in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Shasta Lake is a popular SUP fishing destination in northern California. This massive reservoir offers opportunities to catch a variety of fish, including bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted), trout (rainbow and brown), and catfish. When SUP fishing at Shasta Lake, consider using lures such as plastic worms, jigs, or topwater baits for bass. Trout can be targeted with spoons, spinners, or natural baits. Catfish are often caught using cut bait, chicken liver, or stink baits.

4. Lake Berryessa:

   Located in Napa County, Lake Berryessa is a picturesque destination for SUP fishing. This lake is known for its population of bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted), trout (rainbow and brown), and catfish. When targeting bass at Lake Berryessa, try using lures such as plastic worms, jigs, or crankbaits. Trout can be enticed with spoons, spinners, or natural baits like worms or PowerBait. Catfish are often caught using cut bait, chicken liver, or stink baits.

5. Trinity Lake:

   Situated in the Trinity National Forest, Trinity Lake offers a peaceful SUP fishing experience in northern California. This reservoir is home to a variety of fish species, including bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted), trout (rainbow and brown), and catfish. To target bass, try using lures such as plastic worms, jigs, or topwater baits. Trout can be enticed with spoons, spinners, or natural baits. Catfish are often caught using cut bait, chicken liver, or stink baits.

Western California:

1. San Francisco Bay:

   The iconic San Francisco Bay offers unique SUP fishing opportunities along its coastline. This vast water body is home to a variety of fish species, including striped bass, halibut, rockfish, and salmon. When SUP fishing in the bay, consider using lures such as swimbaits, jigs, or live bait rigs for striped bass and halibut. For rockfish, try using jigs or swimbaits near rocky structures. During salmon season, trolling with spoons or plugs can yield success.

2. Russian River:

   

   Flowing through Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, the Russian River provides a serene SUP fishing experience. This river is known for its steelhead trout and smallmouth bass populations. When targeting steelhead trout, consider using lures such as spoons, spinners, or natural baits like worms or salmon eggs. Smallmouth bass can be enticed with plastic worms, jigs, or crankbaits.

3. Lake Sonoma:

   Nestled in the beautiful Wine Country region, Lake Sonoma is a popular SUP fishing destination in western California. This lake is known for its bass (largemouth and smallmouth), trout (rainbow and brown), and catfish populations. When SUP fishing at Lake Sonoma, consider using lures such as plastic worms, jigs, or topwater baits for bass. Trout can be targeted with spoons, spinners, or natural baits. Catfish are often caught using cut bait, chicken liver, or stink baits.

4. Bodega Bay:

   Located along the stunning Sonoma Coast, Bodega Bay offers excellent SUP fishing opportunities for a variety of species. This area is known for its rockfish, lingcod, halibut, and salmon. When SUP fishing at Bodega Bay, consider using lures such as jigs, swimbaits, or bait rigs for rockfish and lingcod. For halibut, try using swimbaits, jigs, or live bait rigs. During salmon season, trolling with spoons or plugs can be effective.

5. Lake Mendocino:

   Situated in Mendocino County, Lake Mendocino is a picturesque destination for SUP fishing in western California. This lake is known for its bass (largemouth and smallmouth), trout (rainbow and brown), and catfish populations. When targeting bass, try using lures such as plastic worms, jigs, or topwater baits. Trout can be enticed with spoons, spinners, or natural baits. Catfish are often caught using cut bait, chicken liver, or stink baits.

Eastern California:

1. Crowley Lake:

   Located in the Eastern Sierra region, Crowley Lake is a renowned destination for SUP fishing. This reservoir is known for its trophy-sized trout, including rainbow trout and brown trout. When SUP fishing at Crowley Lake, consider using lures such as spoons, spinners, or natural baits like worms or PowerBait to target trout.

2. Owens River:

   Flowing through the Owens Valley, the Owens River offers excellent SUP fishing opportunities for trout. This river is known for its wild brown trout and rainbow trout populations. When targeting trout in the Owens River, consider using lures such as spinners, spoons, or natural baits like worms or salmon eggs.

3. Lake Sabrina:

   Situated in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Sabrina is a serene SUP fishing destination. This alpine lake is known for its trout, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout. When SUP fishing at Lake Sabrina, consider using lures such as spinners, spoons, or natural baits like worms or PowerBait to entice the trout.

4. June Lake:

   Located near the town of June Lake, the June Lake Loop is a collection of stunning alpine lakes that offer excellent SUP fishing opportunities. These lakes are home to trout, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and cutthroat trout. When targeting trout in the June Lake Loop, consider using lures such as spoons, spinners, or natural baits like worms or PowerBait.

5. Bridgeport Reservoir:

   Situated in the high desert of eastern California, Bridgeport Reservoir offers a unique SUP fishing experience. This reservoir is known for its trout populations, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and Lahontan cutthroat trout. When SUP fishing at Bridgeport Reservoir, consider using lures such as spoons, spinners, or natural baits like worms or PowerBait to attract the trout.

Southern California:

1. Mission Bay:

   Located in San Diego, Mission Bay is a popular SUP fishing destination in southern California. This large bay is home to a variety of fish species, including spotted bay bass, halibut, bonito, and yellowtail. When SUP fishing in Mission Bay, consider using lures such as swimbaits, jigs, or live bait rigs for spotted bay bass and halibut. For bonito and yellowtail, trolling with spoons or plugs can be effective.

2. Coronado Island:

   Situated just off the coast of San Diego, the Coronado Islands offer exciting SUP fishing opportunities for a variety of species. The island is known for its yellowtail, calico bass, rockfish, and barracuda. When SUP fishing at Coronado Island, consider using lures such as swimbaits, jigs, or bait rigs for yellowtail and calico bass. For rockfish and barracuda, try using jigs or swimbaits near rocky structures.

3. Lake Poway:

   Located in San Diego County, Lake Poway is a picturesque destination for SUP fishing. This lake is known for its bass (largemouth and smallmouth), trout (rainbow and brown), and catfish populations. When SUP fishing at Lake Poway, consider using lures such as plastic worms, jigs, or topwater baits for bass. Trout can be targeted with spoons, spinners, or natural baits. Catfish are often caught using cut bait, chicken liver, or stink baits.

4. Lake Perris:

   Situated in Riverside County, Lake Perris offers a diverse SUP fishing experience in southern California. This lake is known for its bass (largemouth and smallmouth), catfish, and carp populations. When targeting bass, try using lures such as plastic worms, jigs, or topwater baits. Catfish are often caught using cut bait, chicken liver, or stink baits. Carp can be targeted with dough baits, corn, or boilies.

5. Castaic Lake:

   Located in Los Angeles County, Castaic Lake is a popular destination for SUP fishing. This reservoir is known for its bass (largemouth and striped), trout (rainbow and brown), and catfish populations. When SUP fishing at Castaic Lake, consider using lures such as plastic worms, jigs, or topwater baits for bass. Trout can be enticed with spoons, spinners, or natural baits. Catfish are often caught using cut bait, chicken liver, or stink baits.

   Coastal Fishing Gems: Prime Locations for SUP Fishing in California.

   In addition to the inland waters, California's expansive coastline offers abundant opportunities for SUP fishing enthusiasts. From rocky cliffs to sandy shores, the coastal regions provide diverse habitats for a variety of fish species. In this section, we will explore some prime coastal locations in California for SUP fishing, along with the best lures to use and the types of fish you can expect to catch.

   1. Santa Monica Bay:

      Situated along the iconic Southern California coastline, Santa Monica Bay is a fantastic location for SUP fishing. This bay is known for its diverse fish populations, including yellowtail, white seabass, calico bass, halibut, and barracuda. When SUP fishing in Santa Monica Bay, consider using lures such as swimbaits, jigs, or live bait rigs to target yellowtail, white seabass, and calico bass. For halibut and barracuda, trolling with spoons or plugs can be effective.

   2. Monterey Bay:

      Located on California's central coast, Monterey Bay is a haven for SUP fishing enthusiasts. This picturesque bay is home to a variety of fish species, including rockfish, lingcod, halibut, salmon, and surfperch. When SUP fishing in Monterey Bay, consider using lures such as jigs, swimbaits, or bait rigs for rockfish and lingcod. For halibut and salmon, trolling with spoons or plugs can yield success. Surfperch can be targeted with small jigs or bait rigs near sandy beaches.

   3. Morro Bay:

      Nestled along the stunning Central Coast, Morro Bay offers a tranquil setting for SUP fishing. This bay is known for its diverse fish populations, including halibut, rockfish, lingcod, leopard sharks, and bat rays. When SUP fishing in Morro Bay, consider using lures such as swimbaits, jigs, or bait rigs for halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. For leopard sharks and bat rays, try using bait rigs with natural baits like squid or mackerel.

   4. Point Reyes National Seashore:

      Located in Marin County, Point Reyes National Seashore is a pristine coastal destination for SUP fishing. This area is known for its diverse fish populations, including striped bass, surfperch, halibut, and salmon. When SUP fishing at Point Reyes, consider using lures such as swimbaits, jigs, or bait rigs for striped bass, surfperch, and halibut. During salmon season, trolling with spoons or plugs can be effective.

   5. Humboldt Bay:

      Situated on California's rugged North Coast, Humboldt Bay offers a unique SUP fishing experience. This bay is known for its diverse fish populations, including striped bass, halibut, salmon, and various surfperch species. When SUP fishing in Humboldt Bay, consider using lures such as swimbaits, jigs, or bait rigs for striped bass, halibut, and surfperch. During salmon season, trolling with spoons or plugs can yield success.

   Coastal SUP fishing in California offers the opportunity to explore breathtaking vistas, experience diverse ecosystems, and target a wide range of fish species. It's essential to check local fishing regulations, be aware of any marine protected areas, and practice responsible angling to preserve the coastal environment and its fisheries. So, grab your SUP board, pack your fishing gear, and embark on an unforgettable coastal SUP fishing adventure along the beautiful shores of California.

6. Conclusion:California offers a vast array of stunning locations for SUP fishing, each with its own unique charm and variety of fish species. Whether you're exploring the northern, western, eastern, or southern regions of the state, there are abundant opportunities to enjoy the tranquility of SUP fishing while catching some remarkable fish. Remember to familiarize yourself with local fishing regulations, obtain any necessary permits, and practice responsible angling to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries. So, grab your SUP board, pack your fishing gear, and embark on an unforgettable SUP fishing adventure in the beautiful waters of California. Looking for places to paddle board in California check out these articles. Hidden Gems To Paddle Board In California or our article on The Ultimate Guide On Finding Places To Paddle Board Near You.