VOL . 43 • ISS . 3 |
MAP FEATURE |
March 8 , 2024 |
11 |
San Pablo Reservoir Facts
General Information : San Pablo Dam has 866 surface acres and 14 miles of shoreline that offers anglers their choice of fishing from boats , both private or rentals , or from shore . This EBMUD reservoir is a drinking water supply and therefore no swimming or wading is allowed .
Recreation Area Facilities : Amenities at San Pablo include a wellstocked bait and tackle shop , fish cleaning stations , a handicap fishing dock , a variety of boat rentals , picnic grounds , a children ’ s play area and the San Pablo Grill , serving cooked to order breakfast and lunch with a lake view .
Boating Regulations : There is an $ 8.00 daily boat launch fee for use of the six-lane ramp , a $ 4.00 daily float tube launch fee and a $ 4.00 car top / kayak launch fee . No 2-cycle engines , dry stack jet boats , water skies , personal watercraft ( jet skis ) or windsurfers are allowed . A 25 MPH speed limit is enforced . Electric motors only are allowed in the preserve area . All motor boats must be registered . The minimum width is 23-1 / 2 inches on all types of boats .
Vessel Inspections : The San Pablo Recreation Area boat launch is open seven days a week throughout the season . EBMUD ’ s boat inspection program includes two parts : a history survey , followed by a physical inspection . Boats that fail either the survey or the inspection cannot be legally launched in EBMUD reservoirs .
Hours : Open this year from February 7 through November 9 . The main recreation building and marina open from sunrise to one half-hour before sunset .
2020 Fees and Permits : The vehicle entry fee all day is $ 7.00 , the daily fishing access permit is $ 6.00 and the dog fee is $ 3.00 .
Picnicking : Many first-come first-serve picnic sites are available with tables and barbecues . There is a children ’ s play area . One reservable group picnic site called The Oaks accommodates 50 to 200 people . For reservations , call ( 510 ) 223-1661 .
Information : Rocky Mountain Recreation , San Pablo Reservoir Recreation Area , 7301 San Pablo Dam Road , El Sobrante , CA 94803 , Phone : ( 510 ) 223-1661 , www . rockymountainrec . com / lakes / san-pablo-reservoir . htm
Kennedy Grove Regional
Recreation Area
Camino Pablo
To I-80 and Richmond
San Pablo Crk
Dam
San Pablo Dam Road
Keep Out
Tower
Portable Outhouses
Buoy Lines
Rock Wall
Farrell ' s Landing
Sobrante Point
Oak Point
Main Recreation Area
Graveyard Cove
5 MPH
The Pines V ' s Landing
Pinto Point
Old San Pablo Dam Road
Scow Canyon
San Pablo Reservoir
Bobber Beach Raccoon Straits
San Pablo Reservoir Contra Costa County
Sandy Point Pink Lady Cove
Elevation
Round Top
315 Elevation Big Iaggi Landing
576 Slide
Big Point Wild Boar Cove
Fantasy Island
Sather Canyon
5 MPH
Fishing Notes
• Rainbow Trout are the most popular species pursued at San Pablo Reservoir , since the lake is the most heavily stocked in the Bay Area . A combination of CDFW and concessionaire plants contribute to a high fish per rod average . Bank anglers find the top action using PowerBait and Pautzke Fire Bait in the main recreation area in the spring and early summer . As the summer proceeds , anglers need to fish in deeper water for the rainbows . Trollers experience the most success when the water is relatively clear in the spring , summer and fall . A variety of minnow imitation lures , including Needlefish , Rapalas , Cripplures , Goldeneyes and Speedy Shiners , and nightcrawlers behind dodgers will work .
• Largemouth and Spotted Bass can be also caught year round , with the fastest action taking place in the spring . Fish with plastic worms , Senkos , Brush Hogs , jigs , crankbaits and spinnerbaits in the lake ' s coves and off the points .
• Channel Catfish hit best on the reservoir in the summer and early fall , when plants by the concessionaire supplement the lake ' s naturally spawning population . Fish during the early morning and late afternoon hours with mackerel , chicken liver , anchovies , nightcrawlers and " stink " baits . Fishing the inlets after spring storms can also be productive .
• Bluegill , Crappie and Redear Sunfish offer the top action during the summer and fall . Use redworms , millirems and small jigs around brush and structure .
• Sturgeon offer a sleeper fishery . They are rarely caught and are usually hooked by anglers trying for other species .
Briones Reservoir
No access Beyond Buoy Line
To Highway 24 and Orinda , Oakland and Walnut Creek
Bear Creek summer for anglers using an array of small baits and lures . The redear sunfish record is 3 pounds , 6.4 ounces ,
John Nickels of Concord won first place in the adult division of the event by catching a 7.18 lb . Mt . Lassen lightning trout .
Photo by Dan Bacher
The youth winners show off their prizes with Sheldon Bright of the Fish Sniffer at the San Pablo NTAC event .
Photo by Dan Bacher
while the lake crappie record stands at 3 pounds , 3.2 ounces . The lake also hosts a sleeper population of white sturgeon that are occasionally caught by anglers bait fishing for trout and catfish . For example , Greg Peterson caught and released a 62-inch sturgeon on Power Bait and 4 lb . test line at the Pines on July 11 , 2013 . Carl Moyer and Dick Thomson also caught and released a 5-foot sturgeon while fishing by the boat ramp on September 2 , 2016 . Nai Saephan of San Pablo landed the lake record diamondback of 105 pounds while soaking frozen shrimp
The grandfather-grandson team of Dan Leon and Alexander Vasquez show off the rainbow and lightning trout they landed at San Pablo on Feb . 3 . De Leon placed third in the NorCal Trout Anglers Challenge , while Vasquez won first place in the youth division .
Photo by Dan Bacher on June 13 , 2003 . San Pablo features 866 surface acres and 14 miles of shoreline that offers anglers their choice of fishing from boats , both private and rentals , or from shore . Since San Pablo is a drinking water reservoir , swimming , wading , and other body-contact activities are prohibited . The San Pablo Reservoir Recreation Area offers many exciting outdoor activities including fishing , boating , picnicking , kayaking and hiking . The reservoir is located off San Pablo Dam Road between Orinda and El Sobrante . San Pablo R offers a six lane boat launch facility that can accommodate motor boats and kayak / canoe launching . All boats must be inspected prior to launching . Launch open 7 days a week . EBMUD ’ s boat inspection program includes two parts : a history survey and a subsequent physical inspection . Boats that fail either the survey or the inspection cannot be legally launched in EBMUD reservoirs . For more information visit http :// www . ebmud . com / recreation / east-bay / san-pablo-reservoir / invasive-mussel-prevention / For more information , contact : Rocky Mountain Recreation Company , San Pablo Reservoir , 7301 San Pablo Dam Road , El Sobrante , Ca . 94803 , 510-223-1661 , http :// www . rockymountainrec . com / lakes / san-pablo-reservoir . htm For more information on the NorCal Trout Anglers Challenge , contact : www . anglerspress . com or call 916-768-0938 .