Lakes • Delta • Rivers

Best Fishing in the 209

World-class bass, stripers, trout, and more across the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, foothill reservoirs, and local rivers.

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is one of the top bass fisheries in the nation, and it's right in our backyard. But the 209's fishing goes far beyond the Delta — foothill reservoirs like New Melones and Don Pedro hold trophy trout and kokanee, the Mokelumne River runs steelhead in winter, and quiet spots like Lodi Lake deliver catfish without the crowds. We've mapped 27 fishing spots, guide services, and bait shops across the region for every skill level from first-cast beginners to tournament veterans.

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Best Fishing in the 209

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta — World-Class Fishery — Bass, Stripers, Sturgeon (Delta)
Over 1,000 miles of waterways making it one of the top bass fisheries in the nation. Largemouth, smallmouth, striped bass, sturgeon, salmon, and catfish all thrive in the Delta's tidal waters.
New Melones Lake — Deep Reservoir — Bass, Trout, Kokanee (Foothills)
A stunning 12,500-acre reservoir on the Stanislaus River with depths over 400 feet. Known for bass tournaments, rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and crappie. Glory Hole Point is a top bank fishing spot.
Lake Camanche — Family-Friendly — Bass, Trout, Catfish (Foothills)
A beloved foothill reservoir near Lodi with excellent bass and trout fishing. Diverse underwater terrain including rocks, submerged trees, and weed beds. Camping, boat rentals, and shore fishing available.
Lake Tulloch — Warm Water — Bass, Crappie, Catfish (Foothills)
A 1,260-acre recreational reservoir near Copperopolis with 55 miles of scenic shoreline. Excellent largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish. Protected foothills block the wind for calm fishing conditions.
Modesto Reservoir — Local Favorite — Bass, Catfish, Bluegill (Modesto)
Stanislaus County's go-to fishing reservoir just east of Modesto. Great bank fishing access, boat ramps, and consistent catches of largemouth bass, channel catfish, and panfish year-round.
Woodbridge Wilderness Area — River Fishing — Trout, Bass, Catfish (Lodi)
A hidden gem with a quarter-mile of Mokelumne River frontage in a beautiful riparian setting. Catch trout, black bass, and catfish steps from downtown Lodi. Limited hours add to the peaceful experience.
Stanislaus River — River Runs — Trout, Steelhead, Bass (Modesto)
From the foothills through Oakdale and Knights Ferry, the Stanislaus offers cold-water trout fishing upstream and warm-water bass below Goodwin Dam. Knights Ferry is a popular wade-fishing destination.
Delta BASSN' Guide Service — 5.0 Stars — 72+ Reviews on FishingBooker (Delta)
Captain Frank out of Bethel Island delivers unforgettable Delta bass trips. Known for teaching techniques, reading tides, and making beginners feel like pros. Covers largemouth, smallmouth, and stripers across the Delta system.
Quetzal Adventures — Striper, Sturgeon & Salmon Specialists (Delta)
Premier Delta guide service specializing in striped bass, sturgeon, and salmon. Uses the best techniques available and knows the hottest spots across the Sacramento-San Joaquin system.
Home Waters Guide Service — Rivers & Creeks — Full Delta Coverage (Delta)
Explore the rivers and creeks along with the expansive Delta. Captain Mark specializes in striped bass across the San Joaquin River system. Trips from multiple launch points for maximum flexibility.
Xperience Fishing Guide Service — 4th Generation Angler — Calaveras County (Foothills)
John Liechty brings four generations of angling expertise to New Melones, Tulloch, and Calaveras County waters. Passionate about the art of fishing and sharing it with clients of all skill levels.
Thornton Bait & Tackle — Stockton's Go-To — Live & Frozen Bait (Stockton)
The only bait shop you need in Stockton. Always stocked with live bait, native shad, anchovies, glow worms, and Phet Baits. Quick stop on your way to the Delta or 8 Mile. Decades of local knowledge.
H&R Bait & Tackle — Established & Professional — South Stockton (Stockton)
A longtime Stockton institution on West Charter Way. Established, professional, and the first step to a successful day on the water. Knowledgeable staff who know the Delta inside and out.
Martini's Bait & Tackle — Highway 12 — Gateway to the Delta (Lodi)
Located on Highway 12 in Lodi, the perfect last stop before hitting Delta waters. Wide range of tackle supplies and live bait for both novice and experienced anglers heading to the San Joaquin.
Central Valley Bait & Tackle — Full Selection — Rods, Reels, Live Bait (Modesto)
Modesto's go-to tackle shop on Oakdale Road with everything you need for a fishing trip. Great selection of bait, lures, rods, and reels for beginners and experienced anglers alike. Friendly, helpful owner with frozen and live bait always in stock.
Mega Bait & Tackle — Live Bait Specialists — Manteca (Manteca)
Manteca's favorite bait shop with quality mudsuckers, bloodworms, and pile worms always in stock. Great selection and a very nice owner who keeps anglers coming back. Your go-to for live bait in south San Joaquin County.
North Pole Bait & Tackle — One-Stop Shop — Gas, Bait, Licenses (Tracy)
Tracy's one-stop fishing solution on Grant Line Road. Excellent worm quality, great tackle selection, and fishing licenses all under one roof. Polite staff who greet everyone. Open early for those dawn missions to the Delta.
Oakdale Bait & Tackle — Foothill Gateway — Oakdale (Modesto)
Located on E F Street in Oakdale, the last stop for tackle and bait before heading to Woodward Reservoir, Knights Ferry, or the Stanislaus River. Local knowledge of foothill fishing conditions and what's biting.
Valley Bait & Tackle — Turner Road — South Lodi (Lodi)
A neighborhood bait shop on West Turner Road serving the Lodi and Woodbridge fishing community. Convenient for anglers heading to Lodi Lake, the Mokelumne River, or the Delta via Highway 12.
Don Pedro Reservoir — 13,000 Acres — Bass, Kokanee, King Salmon (Foothills)
California's fifth-largest reservoir near La Grange, nestled in the Sierra foothills east of Modesto. Famous for trophy kokanee salmon (some of the largest in the state), king salmon to 7 lbs, plus bass, trout, and catfish year-round.
New Hogan Lake — Striper Paradise — Lake Record 31 lbs (Foothills)
A Calaveras County gem where schools of striped bass boil across the surface. The lake record is 31 lbs with most averaging 4 lbs. Also holds largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, crappie, and catfish in protected coves and rocky areas.
Woodward Reservoir — 2,427 Acres — Trout, Bass, Catfish (Modesto)
A large reservoir just north of Oakdale with excellent trout fishing when stocked, plus bass, catfish, and panfish as water warms. County-operated park with camping, boating, and swimming. Quick trip from Stockton or Modesto.
Turlock Lake — Cold Water Releases — Stocked Trout & Bass (Modesto)
A good-sized reservoir receiving cold water from New Melones releases, supporting stocked hatchery trout alongside resident bass, catfish, and panfish. Fish year-round at this low-elevation spot surrounded by oaks and willows.
Lodi Lake — City Park Lake — Catfish, Bass, Stripers (Lodi)
A lowland lake along the Mokelumne River on the north edge of Lodi. Great for catfish, spotted bass, striped bass, and bluegill in a family-friendly city park setting. Kayak and paddleboat rentals available spring through fall.
Oak Grove Park Lake — Urban Stocked Lake — Trout & Catfish (Stockton)
A 3-acre lake in Stockton's Oak Grove Regional Park that produces very good fishing when stocked with trout in cool season and catfish in summer. Nature trails, paddleboats, disc golf, and picnic areas surround it.
Mokelumne River — Below Camanche — Tailwater — Steelhead, Trout, Salmon (Foothills)
The stretch below Camanche Dam with a fish hatchery offers winter steelhead runs and stocked trout down to Elliot Road. One of the few steelhead opportunities in the 209. Check regulations for hatchery-marked fish requirements.
San Joaquin River — Stockton Reach — Tidal River — Stripers, Salmon, Catfish (Stockton)
The main river flowing through Stockton sees spring striped bass pushups and occasional Chinook salmon runs in good years. Catfish and largemouth bass are reliable year-round in the slow-moving sections south of town.
Rancho Seco Lake — 160-Acre Stocked Lake — 6 Accessible Piers (Stockton area)
A 160-acre SMUD-managed lake stocked with thousands of pounds of trophy trout. Also holds bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, and catfish. Six handicap-accessible fishing piers. Electric motors only. Annual Trout Derby. 45 min from Stockton in Herald.