El Capitan Reservoir is most popular for largemouth bass. Other fish caught in the lake include carp, channel catfish, blue catfish, green sunfish, bluegill, crappie, and rainbow trout. Minimum size limits for bass is 15 inches and for crappie, 10 inches.

Besides a fishing license (for those 16 and older), anglers at El Capitan must obtain at fishing permit: Adults $8, Youths, $2.50, and Seniors $4.

Fishing is good from shore, but access is limited. Anglers may use waders and float tubes. Float-tube-fishermen must stay within 150 feet of shore, wear chest waders, carry a horn or whistle, and display 144 square inches of international orange 12 inches above the water line. Float tubes with oars or motors require a private boat use permit.

Certainly the favorite spot for fishing on El Capitan Reservoir is at the north end. Kayak anglers have had good luck trolling for crappie in the northern end of the lake. The shoreline drops off steeply almost everywhere on the lake, but there are spots up the north end and some of the smaller arms where rocks and brush underwater provide good cover for fish.

El Capitan Reservoir Record Fish

• Largemouth Bass - 15.31 pounds, July 1975
• Striped Bass - 11.95 pounds, June 2014
• Blue Catfish - 48.25 pounds, caught by Cameron Smith, April 2013. Previous record 45.31 pounds, April 1986.
• Channel Catfish - 20.27 pounds, August 1974
• Black Crappie - 3.75 pounds, March 1987
• White Crappie - 2.43 pounds, March 1971
• Bluegill - 1.56 pounds, June 1992
• Carp - 18 pounds, April 1977
• Green Sunfish - 15.31 pounds, July 1975
• Redear Sunfish - 1.25 pounds, May 1984

Which Baits and Lures Are
Catching Fish at El Capitan Reservoir?

Bass: Topwaters, and jigs, Straight Tail, Spinnerbaits, Brush Hog, Big Worm, 5" - 7" Senkos, Mackerel, Anchovies, Watermelon Lizard, Shad Spoons, Swimbaits, Plastic Worms

Trout: Nightcrawlers, PowerBait, Mini Jigs, Spoons, Kastmasters, Rapalas, Needlefish

Catfish: Cut Bait such as Anchovies, Shrimp, Meal Worms, or Mackerel

Bluegill: Worms, Crickets, Lip Ripperz