Buy your Annual Fishing Pass for Lake Elsinore HERE. (Please note, you must also posses a valid California Fishing License if 16 years or older). 

Download Lake Elsinore Sport Fishing Brochure HERE. (UPDATE COMING SOON.)

Rules & Regulations

Lake Elsinore is subject to the “California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations” published by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

• Anyone 16 years and older must have a valid California State Fishing License.
• Every person, while engaged in taking any fish shall display their valid sport fishing license by attaching it to their outer clothing, at or above the waistline so that it is plainly visible.
• Fishing from shore is only permitted from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. in designated areas.
• No fishing is allowed in the Inlet Channel.
• Cleaning fish is only permitted on the shoreline in designated cleaning areas.
• Riverside County Sheriff’s Department strictly enforces all Fish & Game Regulations on the Lake.
• Please refer to the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations for bag and size limits.

Public Fishing Beaches:

Davis Street Fishing Beach
Davis St. at Lakeshore Dr.
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Launch Pointe Recreation Destination & RV Park
32040 Riverside Dr,
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
(951) 471-1212
Launch Pointe

Open Sunrise to Sunset
*Fees Apply

Lowell Street Fishing Beach
Townsend Street at Lakeshore Dr.
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Whisker's Fishing Beach
Townsend Street at Lakeshore Dr.
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Boat Rentals & Bait Tackle Store

Launch Pointe Landings
32040 Riverside Dr,
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
(951) 471-1212
Launch Pointe

Bait, Tackle & Fishing License Retailers:

Big 5 Sporting Goods
18298 Collier Ave.
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
(951) 471-1362

J&J Liquor
31087 Riverside Dr.
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
(951) 674-6742

Lakeshore Liquor & Market
1511 W. Lakeshore Dr.
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
(951) 674-1944

Walmart
31700 Grape St.
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
(951) 245-5990

The Fishery

Lake Elsinore is the largest natural freshwater lake in Southern California. Eutrophic lakes, like Lake Elsinore, are typically shallow and nutrient enriched. Add sunshine, and these types of lakes produce more pounds of fish per acre than any other type of lake on earth.

Lake Elsinore is classified as a Warmwater Fishery, which includes the black basses and various panfish. Representative members found in this Lake are Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Channel Catfish.

Funding has been received from State and Local agencies to restructure the fisheries of Lake Elsinore to improve water quality and sport fishing. A long term Carp control program is underway, concurrent with fishery enhancement measures and intermittent stocking of game fish. 

Watershed Protection

All natural lakes are a product of their watershed. A watershed is all the land that drains into the nearest stream, river or lake when it rains. Rainwater is relatively pure before it falls on the ground. Stormwater runoff collects impurities as it travels over the surface of the land, therefore land use drives water quality. Eventually, we drink, swim and fish from these waters.

There are 760 square miles of land that drains into Lake Elsinore. Every person who lives, works or plays in this watershed has a part in protecting this valuable water resource. So, help keep the watershed clean for the Lakes’ sake!

Lake Elsinore Fishing Report & Official Annual Record Fish

One photo is better than a thousand fish stories! The City posts photos of anglers and their catch to the City’s website. Provide a Fishing Report to the City by emailing fishingreport@lake-elsinore.org. The Fishing Report should include name, city of residence, date, location caught, type of fish, size (lbs), bait used and photo (8MB file limit). 

To qualify for an Official Annual Record Fish and posting of photo to the “Hall of Fame” on the City’s website at www.lake-elsinore.org, please request a courtesy Official Fish Weigh-in and digital photo by contacting the Community Services Department at (951) 74-3124 ext. 266 or by emailing recreation@lake-elsinore.org.

If you’re a fisherman that Votes, then we would appreciate your support on future Lake & Fishery Restoration Projects. 

Thank you,
City of Lake Elsinore

Community Services Department
130 S. Main Street
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
(951) 674.3124 ext. 266