Lake Piru is located approx. 35 miles North of L.A. in the Los Padres National Forest. From I-5. Take Rt. 126 West to Piru Canyon Rd. exit. Go North 6 miles to the lake.

    Lake Piru consists of 1,200 surface acres and 12 miles of shoreline at capacity. It rests at an elevation of 1,055 feet amongst the rolling oak hills of Ventura Co. They are open year round sunrise to sunset. (except Christmas Day) There is a very nice campground with hot shower facilities, picnic areas and swim beach. There is a general store for supplies. Ranger Station - (805) 521-1500. Visit the Lake Piru Website for fees and more info.

Boating Info:

    There is a very nice 5-lane launch ramp and marina here with over-night slips available for rent. Float tubes and boats under 12 feet are confined to a designated area only. There are motorboats and pontoon boats available for rent at the marina. Water-skiing is allowed in the main channel. Personal watercraft (jet-skis) are allowed. Marina (805) 521-1500.

Fishing Info:

    Rainbow trout are stocked from early Fall through early Summer by the DFG. There are also Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Crappie, and Red Ear Sunfish here. There are lots of coves and structure here mostly accesible only by boat. Fish-cleaning facilities are located at the day use area. The dam area has been closed to anglers since the 9/11 disaster. Be sure to visit the CDFW web site for complete regulations before heading out.

Lake Records:

• Largemouth Bass: 15-pounds
• Catfish: 32-pounds
• Crappie: 3.5-pounds
• Red-eared sunfish: 2-pounds, 4-ounces
• Read and Post Piru Lake Fishing Reports Here

Comments and Tips:

    Evening - most of the shore fishing is futile until the boats disappear and the water cools down. They start biting around 6:30pm.

Morning – daybreak is the best time and get your line in there before the boats come.
There are some excellent areas from shoreline about 500 yards up from the dam, although I’m not sure if it’s legal to drop a line.

JA

     To Whom it May Concern:

When fishing from shore around Piru Lake all but the coldest months watch out for rattlesnakes. In May of 2004, I parked one day around 4:00 at a road which becomes a trail just past the dam because it looked like a fairly deep part of the lake. As I was walking down I jumped the first rattlesnake next to the trail. After setting up a portable chair and rigging up a Mexican boy came by with a dead baby rattler on a stick that was about 20 inches long. His father approached and warned me that he had killed a large one in the same place I had set up my chair about an hour earlier. He said they like to approach the water to drink in the heat and like to coil near the shore. Three rattlesnakes encountered in a quarter mile of walking. I broke down my rod and hiked back to the car not wanting to wade through snakes after dark. I would only fish from shore while wearing boots and snake chaps. I would never bring children to fish from shore. Next time I will rent a boat.

    If you know something about this area or have some photos that you'd like to share, please E-mail and I'll post it here!