Species present: Rainbow and Brook Trout

Seasons: Open all year. Bag limit: 5 per day, 10 in possession.

Date of usual ice out: June 1 (5,800' elevation).

Access trails: This lake is located in Section 11, T37N, R6W. Access is via the Highland Lakes Road (38N21) which leaves Interstate 5 at the Gibson Interchange. At the interchange, go south on the frontage road about 0.75 mile, and take 38N21 to the left. Continue on 38N21 for about 13 miles. A private road (Sierra Pacific Industries) goes to the left toward Pond Lily Lake. Before getting to Pond Lily Lake, the road ties into the Trinity Divide Trail (5W12). 5W12 goes by the bottom of Pond Lily Lake.

Camping: 3 excellent sites with firewood available. Please check with Sierra Pacific Industries for a campfire permit.

Surface acres: 2 acres and 10' deep.

Comments: An attractive lake well stocked with Brook Trout. Surrounded by thick timber, brush and meadows. From the Highland Lakes Road (38N21), there is a logging road to the lake.

The ownership of this lake is split between the Forest Service and Sierra Pacific Industries. For the Sierra Pacific Industries part, they say, "Motorized access may be restricted at any time. Pedestrian access is allowed at your own risk. No campfires during fire season. Outside of fire season, campfires are by permit only. Trash and garbage should be carried out."

Directions

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Species present: Rainbow and Brook Trout

Seasons: Open all year. Bag limit: 5 per day, 10 in possession.

Date of usual ice out: June 1 (6,100' elevation)

Access roads: This lake is located in Section 35 and 36, T39N, R6W. Access it via the South Fork Road (Road 26) from the W.A. Barr Road. About 13.5 miles up Road 26, take the unmarked spur road to the left. This is at the first creek crossing down from the Gumboot-Mumbo summit. This 0.25 mile road, which parallels the outlet from Mumbo Lake, should not be attempted in a low-clearance vehicle.

Camping: Several moderate to low quality sites around lake. Firewood is available.

Surface acres: 5 acres and 16' deep.

Comments: This lake is accessible via four wheel drive vehicle and is used heavily. The fishing can be good when stocked with catchables. This lake is on National Forest land.

Directions

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Species present: Rainbow and Brook Trout

Seasons: Open all year. Bag limit: 5 per day, 10 in possession.

Date of usual ice out: July 1 (7,400' elevation)

Access roads: This lake is in Section 20, T41N, R6W. Access is via the Parks Creek Road (Road 17), from Stewart Springs Road. About 4.5 miles up Road 17, take road 41N73 to the right. At West Parks Lakes Creek, the bridge has been removed. Park and walk from this point. Cross the creek and continue on the road to Road 41N73A. From the end of this road, a faint steep trail goes to Lower West Parks Lake. It's about a 1.5 hour walk from the bridge removal site to the lower lake (of three). Middle West Parks Lake is about 0.3 miles west (cross country) of the lower lake. It is a difficult walk.

Camping: 2 fair to poor sites. Good firewood availability.

Surface acres: 2.5 acres and 22' deep.

Comments: Fair to good fishing for small Brook Trout. The lake may freeze occasionally, which can kill the fish. This lake is on National Forest Land.

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Species present: Brook Trout

Seasons: Open all year. Bag limit: 5 per day, 10 in possession.

Date of usual ice out: June (7,100' elevation).

Access road: This lake is located in Section 29, T41N, R6W. Access is via the Parks Creek Road (Road 17) from the Stewart Springs Road. About 5.5 miles up Road 17, take road 41N74 to the right. From the end of this road, Caldwell Lakes Trail (6W01) goes to the lower lake (of three).

Trail name/number: Caldwell Lakes Trail. Trail difficulty: Moderate. The trail is about 0.5 miles long and steep above the lower lake.

Camping: One good site, but more poor to fair ones away from lake shore.

Surface acres: 1.5 acres and 8' deep.

Comments: Good fishing for small Brook Trout. Variable shoreline is fairly easy to fish. This lake is on National Forest land.

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Species present: Probably none

Seasons: Open all year. Bag limit: 5 per day, 10 in possession.

Date of usual ice out: June 1 (6,500' elevation).

Access roads: The Seven Lakes Basin is about 20 miles by road and trail from Mt. Shasta City. Access is via the South Fork Road (Road 26) from the W.A. Barr Road. One route to the basin is via the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) which crosses Road 26 after about 12 miles (Gumboot Trailhead). Park here and walk south on the PCT for 2.25 miles to the divide between Seven Lakes and Mumbo Basins. At the divide, take the Seven Lakes Trail (and old jeep road) to the south. From Helen Lake, go southeast about a quarter mile cross country.

Alternative access to this area is by continuing on Road 26 for an additional 2.5 miles past the Gumboot Trailhead, to road 38N61. Turn left and go about a mile to where an unmarked private road goes to the left into the head of Seven Lakes Basin, just above Helen Lake. Do not attempt to drive this private road… it is extremely steep and eroded and becomes very loose in the summer. It is about a mile walk from this point to the Seven Lakes Basin.

Camping: Several good sites. Seldom used.

Surface acres: 1 acre and 5' deep.

Comments: This lake probably has no fish. It would probably be a good place for solitude. This lake is on National Forest Land.

Directions

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Species present: Rainbow and Brook Trout.

Seasons: Open all year. Bag limit: 5 per day, 10 in possession.

Date of usual ice out: June 1 (5,950' elevation).

Access trails: This lake is located in Section 27, T39N, R5W. Access it via the South Fork Road (Road 26) from the W.A. Barr Road. About 6 miles up Road 26, at the wooden bridge, take road 40N43 to the left across the wooden bridge, go about 500' and turn right onto road 39N45. Go about 1.5 miles to road 39N44 and turn left. These roads are very rocky and are not suitable for low clearance vehicles. At the end of road 39N44, the Gray Rock Lake Trail (5W07) goes to Gray Rock Lake. 

Camping: Several good sites, but firewood is scarce.

Surface acres: 11 acres and 20' deep.

Comments: A popular lake and fair to good fishing for small Brook Trout. It is located in the Castle Crags Wilderness. There are two Gray Rock Lakes. This one is on National Forest land, while the other is on private land, and is south of this lake.

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Species present: Brook Trout and a few Rainbow.

Seasons: Open all year. Bag limit: 5 per day, 10 in possession.

Date of usual ice out: mid-June (6,100' elevation).

Access road: This lake is located in Section 21, T37N, R6W. Access is via the Highland Lakes Road (38N21) which leaves Interstate 5 at the Gibson Interchange. At the interchange, go south on the frontage road about 0.75 mile, and take 38N21 to the left. Continue on 38N21 for about 13 miles. A private road (Sierra Pacific Industries) goes to the left toward Pond Lily Lake. It has a permanent locked gate… you will need to walk from this point. Before getting to Pond Lily Lake, the road ties into the Trinity Divide Trail (5W12). 5W12 goes by the bottom of Pond Lily, then heads southerly towards Grouse Lake. At Gozem Peak, a spur trail goes west about one mile to Grouse Lake. From Grouse Lake, there is no trail to Devils Lake… you'll need to go cross-country.

Camping: Limited number of sites; mostly on the north and east sides. They aren't used much.

Surface acres: 2.5 acres and 15' deep.

Comments: Subject to freeze-outs. In 1989, there were no fish present, but has been restocked. There is an artesian spring at the north end. A particularly picturesque lake with many sensitive plants on upslopes.

This lake is on Sierra Pacific Industries land. They say, "No vehicular access. Locked gate present. Pedestrian access is allowed at your own risk. No campfires during fire season. Outside of fire season, campfires are by permit only. Trash and garbage should be carried out."

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Special note about Castle Lake

As of August 2013, there is a restriction on overnight camping within one half mile of the lake, except in the Castle Lake Campground.

Please be aware that Castle Lake is partially situated on private property.  The traditional trail to Heart Lake and Little Castle Lake leaves the east end of the parking area and ascends to the divide above the east side of the lake. It begins on public land in section 24 of T39N R5W but immediately crosses the boundary of section 19 of T39N R4W. This entire section of land (about 640 acres) is privately owned property and posted as such. There is no legal access across this section to these lakes. Please be respectful and avoid trespassing. However, the west shore of the lake is public and features a short trail with easy access to the water.

Species present: Rainbow, Brook and Brown Trout. There are also Golden Shiner minnows.

Seasons: Open all year. Bag limit: 5 per day, 10 in possession.

Date of usual ice out: June 1 (5,400' elevation)

Access road: This lake is located in Section 19 and 24, T39N, R5W. Drive to it, about 11 miles from the town of Mt. Shasta, on the paved Castle Lake Road, usually open on Memorial Day.

Camping: A Forest Service campground is about 0.75 miles away. Camping within 200 feet of the water is prohibited. Due to the fragile environment around the lake, camping outside of this zone is discouraged. Camping is also not allowed on private land.

Surface acres: 47 acres and 120' deep.

Comments: This lake offers spectacular scenery and and is popular. Fishing is fair to good for various sizes of trout, particularly in May and June, but there are also the less desirable Golden Shiners. The lake is mostly on National Forest land… about 3 acres are private. Please respect the private owners rights.

The Department of Fish and Game has conducted trout management experiments at Castle Lake since 1938.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 41° 14′ 8.4012″ N

Longitude 122° 22′ 44.4180″ W

Species present: Brook Trout

Seasons: Open all year. Bag limit: 5 per day, 10 in possession.

Date of usual ice out: June (6,300' elevation)

Access road: This lake is located in Section 9, T40N, R6W. Access is via the Parks Creek Road (Road 17) from the Stewart Springs Road. About 13 miles up Road 17, take road 40N98 to the right. After about 1 mile, turn left on road 40N98A. At the end of the road at the meadow, a faint trail goes toward the lake. Please do not drive through the meadow; park and walk to the lake.

Camping: Please don't camp at the lake or build campfires.

Surface acres: 4 acres and 20' deep.

Comments: Lies just north of and below Cement Bluff, a large conglomerate cliff of geologic interest in a moderately scenic basin. Cattle may be present. Fishing is poor to fair for small Brook Trout. This lake freezes every few years. No water inlet and the outlet is usually dry.

This lake is owned by Timber Products Company in Mt. Shasta City. They request that you keep in mind that this lake is on private land. It is available for your day use, but please don't camp overnight or build fires.

Directions

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Species Present: Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout.

Seasons: Year around

Access: From Weaverville, take Highway 3 to Rush Creek road, turn right. Follow Rush Creek road to stop sign just past the town of Lewiston. Turn left on Trinity Dam Blvd. and follow about 2 miles to the lake. From Redding, take Highway 299 West thirty-seven miles. Turn right at the sign to Trinity Dam/Lewiston Lake on County Highway 105 (Trinity Dam Boulevard). Proceed 5.5 miles, through the town of Lewiston, to the junction of Hatchery Road and Trinity Dam Boulevard. Continue straight to Lewiston Lake or bear right to the hatchery and spawning riffles.

Camping: Developed campgrounds, boat docks, marina, accessible fishing access and a fish cleaning station are available.

Comments: Elevation 1,902 feet. 70 feet deep at dam. About five miles long. A quiet canoe lake. One boat launching ramp (Pine Cove) and one undeveloped launch area available. Rainbow trout abundant; Brown and Brook trout common. Speed limit for boats – 10 mph. Water very cold. Excellent fly fishing and a good lake for a float tube. Excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing and Hunting Regulations

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 40° 43′ 40.5876″ N

Longitude 122° 48′ 8.0640″ W