Rollins Reservoir, CA

The search for decent-sized trout ends at Rollins Lake, where a great number of 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout are stocked. Add in the growing kokanee salmon population, the holdovers from trout stocks from previous years, and you have an opportunity to come up with an impressive limit. Rollins Lake extends far up two lake arms, covering 900 acres, with 26 miles of shoreline. It lies at an elevation of 2,100 feet, right where foothill country and forest meet. In late winter, the snow line is usually around here, too. The result is a lake that crosses the spectrum-supporting both trout and bass, along with channel cat, bluegill, and crappie. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout March through April, and the trout fishing is best in the springtime and at the lower end of the lake, near the dam. When summer weather sets in, anglers make the switch to bass; the best bass-fishing spots are in coves midway up the lake arms. The DFG also stocks fingerling kokanee salmon. It can get quite hot here in the summer, and this place is very popular for swimming and waterskiing. Boat ramps are available near all four campgrounds; the most remote one is on the peninsula, accessible via Highway 174 and You Bet Road.