Huntington Lake , CA

Location and Overview
Huntington Lake is located within Huntington Central Park in Huntington Beach, CA. The lake is just one of numerous activities available to parkgoers, including a dog park, an equestrian center, several play areas for children (including a couple close to the lake), picnic tables, and the Shipley Nature Center for birdwatchers. For those who want to make a day of it, Alice's Breakfast in the Park Restaurant is located right next to the lake, and serves breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

Although the official address for Huntington Central Park is 18000 Goldenwest Street, access to the lake is actually achieved by entering the park from the west side off of Edwards Street via Talbert Avenue or Inlet Drive (check out the map).

Fishin' Huntington Lake
Fishing is permitted in Huntington Lake subject to state regulations (see below), and the park is open daily from 5 a.m to 10 p.m. Fishermen must have a valid California fishing license.

The Department of Fish and Game stocks the lake on a regular basis with trout during the winter months and catfish during warmer weather. Other species found in the lake include bluegill, carp, crappie, and largemouth bass.

Trout typically fall to just about any color of Power Bait, or nightcrawlers, while an assortment of different baits will work for bass depending on the time of the year and the prevailing conditions. The City of Huntington Beach recommends anglers release bass caught in the lake, but you are not required to do so.

For DFG stocking information, click here.

Weather
Weather in coastal Orange County is usually temperate, with high temperatures ranging from the 50’s during the winter months into the 80’s or sometimes low 90's in summer. Extremes of weather are unusual, although you should check the local forecast for rain or wind before planning a trip here.

Click here to see current weather conditions and forecasts for the city of Huntington Beach.

Lodging and Camping
Since Huntington Beach is located right in the middle of Orange County, out-of-town anglers would do best to stay at any of the numerous hotels in the area. Several hotels are located in the vicinity of nearby John Wayne Airport, as well as in Huntington Beach itself. Room prices and availability may vary throughout the year, so make sure you check prior to taking a trip here.

Camping is not permitted at Huntington Beach Central Park, although there are several campgrounds within easy driving distance for those so inclined. Click here for more information on area campgrounds and RV parks.

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Licensing and Regulations
Anglers fishing Huntington Lake are subject to all California fishing regulations, and must display a current California sportfishing license above the waist while fishing.

Bag and size limits are as follows:

Largemouth Bass - 5 fish, with a minimum overall length of 12 inches. The City of Huntington Beach recommends that you release any bass caught.
Trout - 5 fish, no minimum size.
Catfish - 10 fish, no minimum size.
Crappie - 25 fish, no minimum size.
Carp are catch and release only.

Click here for all the current California sportfishing regulations. For more information on Huntington Lake or Huntington Central Park, click here.

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