Baum Lake
Fly fishing in California · Intermediate · Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
About This Water
Spring-fed lake in the Pit River system. Trophy rainbow and brown trout.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to one of Northern California’s most unique fly fishing destinations. As a guide, I consider Baum Lake to be a "laboratory" for fly anglers. Located in Shasta County near the town of Cassel, it is technically a reservoir on Hat Creek, but because it is fed by massive underground springs, it behaves exactly like a giant, slow-moving spring creek.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fishing the "aquarium" of the North.
🎣 Location Overview
Baum Lake is a crystal-clear, spring-fed powerhouse pond situated between PG&E’s Hat Creek Powerhouse #1 and #2. What makes it special is the constant water temperature (usually between 52°F and 56°F year-round). Because the water temperature never fluctuates wildly, the insect life is prolific, and the fish remain active even in the dead of winter.
The lake is characterized by lush weed beds, volcanic rock outcroppings, and a distinct "old river channel" that snakes through the middle. The water is so clear that you can often see trout cruising 10 feet below the surface, making it a premier destination for sight-fishing.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Rainbow Trout: The primary residents. You’ll find a mix of feisty planters and "holdovers" that have survived several seasons, growing large and extremely selective. They tend to cruise the weed edges and the "bubble lines" created by the powerhouse discharge.
- Brown Trout: While less numerous than rainbows, Baum holds some truly massive, buttery browns. These fish are predatory and tend to hug the deeper undercut banks or hide in the thickest weed beds, coming out to hunt during low-light conditions or on overcast days.
Behavior: Because of the clarity, these fish are highly pressured and "leader-shy." They will scrutinize your fly and your drift. They don't just eat; they inspect.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Baum Lake is one of the few places in California that offers truly world-class fishing 365 days a year.
- Spring (March – May): Excellent hatches of Blue-Winged Olives (BWO) and the beginning of the Callibaetis. This is prime time for dry fly enthusiasts.
- Summer (June – August): Famous for the Trico hatches in the early morning and Damselfly activity in the afternoons. It stays cool here when the rest of the valley is sweltering.
- Fall (September – November): The brown trout become more aggressive as they prepare for the spawn. This is the best time to throw streamers.
- Winter (December – February): While other rivers are blown out or frozen, Baum is a sanctuary. Midges and small BWOs dominate. The crowds are thin, and the fishing can be exceptionally productive on a "warm" 40-degree day.
Prime Window: The first three hours of light and the last two hours before dark are almost always the most productive, especially for surface activity.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Nymphing (The Bread & Butter)
The most consistent way to catch fish at Baum is suspended nymphing under a small, sensitive indicator.
- Patterns: Zebra Midges (#18–22) in black/silver or red; Mercer’s Micro Mayfly (#18); Hogan’s S&M Nymph (#18); and most importantly, Scud patterns (#16–18) in olive or grey.
- Technique: Use a long leader (12ft+) and 6X or 7X fluorocarbon tippet. Fish the edges of the weed beds.
Dry Fly (The Challenge)
When the hatch is on, the fish will sip bugs off the surface with tiny, rhythmic rises.
- Patterns: CDC BWO (#18–20); Griffith’s Gnat (#20–22); Parachute Adams (#18–22); and Blue-Ribbon Flies’ Trico Spinner (#20–24).
- Technique: Accuracy is more important than distance. You must lead the cruising fish by 3 feet and let them swim into the fly.
Streamers (The Trophy Hunter)
- Patterns: Olive or Black Woolly Buggers (size 8–10); Pine Squirrel Leeches.
- Technique: Use an intermediate sinking line. Cast toward the banks or the deep channel and use a slow, "twitchy" retrieve to mimic a sculpin or a leech.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Bring a Float Tube or Kayak: While you can fish from the bank near the powerhouse, 90% of the lake is best accessed by water. There is a "no motors" rule (electric trolling motors are okay), which keeps the water peaceful.
- The "Powerhouse Bubble Line": The oxygenated water coming out of the #1 Powerhouse creates a current. Fish sit right in that seam, waiting for food to be washed down. It's the most consistent "river-style" fishing on the lake.
- The Scud Secret: Baum Lake is a "shrimp factory." If the fish aren't rising, they are likely gorging on scuds in the weeds. A slow-stripped olive scud on an intermediate line can be deadly when nothing else works.
- Stealth is Mandatory: Do not wear bright colors. Because the water is so clear, the fish can see you against the skyline. Wear blues, greys, or greens to blend in.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Easy access via Cassel Road. There is a gravel parking lot and a boat launch area provided by PG&E.
- Regulations: Baum Lake is open year-round. However, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) regulations can change. Generally, it allows for a 2-fish limit, but the fly fishing community almost exclusively practices Catch and Release here to preserve the quality of the fishery.
- Gear: A 4-weight or 5-weight rod is perfect. A 9-foot rod is standard, but a 10-foot rod helps with line management when nymphing from a float tube.
- Winds: The wind can kick up in the afternoon. If you are in a float tube, be careful not to get blown to the far end of the lake, as it’s a long paddle back to the launch!
Baum Lake is a place that rewards patience, observation, and delicate presentations. Treat it with respect, and it will give you some of the best trout fishing of your life. Tight lines!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | January, February, March, December | All day | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #18-24, WD-40 #20-22 |
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis spp. | mayfly | March, April, October, November | Afternoon | #18-22 | RS2 #20-22, Parachute BWO #18-20, Pheasant Tail #18-22 |
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella excrucians | mayfly | June, July | Late Morning/Afternoon | #16-18 | Mercer's Poxyback PMD #16-18, Parachute PMD #16-18, Split Case PMD #16-18 |
| Callibaetis Callibaetis ferrugineus | mayfly | May, June, September | Morning/Afternoon | #14-16 | Callibaetis Spinner #14-16, Hogan's S&M Nymph #16, Parachute Callibaetis #14-16 |
| Trico Tricorythodes | mayfly | August, September | Early Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #20-24, Sunray Trico #20-22 |
| Blue Damselfly Enallagma spp. | terrestrial | June, July, August | Late Morning/Afternoon | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel #12-14, Braided Butt Damsel #12-14, Sheep Creek Special #10-12 |
| Spotted Sedge Hydropsyche spp. | caddis | May, June, September | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, LaFontaine's Sparkle Pupa #16-18, Cinnamon Toast Caddis #16 |
| Little Black Caddis Chimarra spp. | caddis | April, May | Morning/Afternoon | #18-20 | Z-Wing Caddis #18-20, CDC Black Caddis #18-20 |
| Cinnamon Ants Formicidae | terrestrial | August, September | Afternoon | #14-18 | Cinnamon Ant #16-18, Chernobyl Ant #12-14 |