Lopez Lake

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 2
Species: 10

Lopez Lake is a freshwater reservoir located approximately ten miles northeast of Arroyo Grande in San Luis Obispo County, California. Created in 1968 by the construction of Lopez Dam on Arroyo Grande Creek, the lake covers approximately 950 surface acres with 22 miles of shoreline. With an average water temperature of about 70°F year-round, Lopez Lake provides excellent fishing opportunities throughout all seasons. The lake serves multiple purposes including drinking water for the Arroyo Grande basin, agricultural water supply, flood control, and recreation. The surrounding 4,200 acres of open space feature oak-studded hills and diverse wildlife, making it not only a premier fishing destination but also a scenic outdoor recreation area.

California licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Lopez Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Brown Bullhead

Ameiurus nebulosus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Fish stocking schedule

All stockings · 3

TroutWeek of Mar 8, 2026
TroutWeek of Feb 8, 2026
TroutWeek of Jan 4, 2026

Source

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Lopez Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Lopez Lake Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Lopez Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

California licenses and regulations

California Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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California Fishing License Online

In California, anyone under the age of 16 or above is required to get a sport fishing license to take any fish; shell fish, reptile or amphibian in the state.

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California Freshwater Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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California Stream Access Laws

The courts have described the reach of the California public right of navigation as “the right to navigate and to exercise the incidents of navigation in a lawful manner at any point below high water mark” on waters that satisfy California’s small craft test. Thus, property owners cannot interfere with the public’s right to navigate or use shoreline areas below the ordinary high water mark for incidents of navigation. In fact, unauthorized obstruction of the public’s right to access and use a navigable waterway constitutes a public nuisance.

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Take Lopez Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Lopez Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lopez Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.