Fish

Salmon. Northern California Water Association Photo.

Fish of Whiskeytown Lake

Whiskeytown Lake and its tributaries support both native and non-native species of fish. Two federally Threatened anadromous fish species—spring-run chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead trout (Evolutionary Significant Unit)—spawn in portions of lower Clear Creek below Whiskeytown Dam. These species are closely monitored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure their protection and survival.

To maintain recreational fishing opportunities, the California Department of Fish and Game regularly stocks rainbow trout and brook trout in the lake and some perennial streams during the spring and summer months. Historically, brown trout and kokanee salmon were also stocked in the lake, and these species can still be found in Whiskeytown today.

Whiskeytown Fish

Native Fish

• Sacramento sucker Catostomus occidentalis
• California roach Hesperoleucus symmetricus
• Hardhead Mylopharodon conocephalus
• Sacramento pikeminnow Ptychocheilus grandis
• Pacific lamprey Lampetra tridentata
• Rainbow trout, Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss
• Chinook salmon, King salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
• Riffle sculpin Cottus gulosus

Non-Native Fish

• Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus
• Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus
• Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu
• Spotted bass Micropterus punctulatus
• Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides
• Black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus
• Kokanee salmon, Sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka
• Brown trout Salmo trutta
• Brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis
• Brown bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus
• Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus