Houseboat Lakes?

Was thinking of a family vacation once schools are back in session. Can anyone recommend a lake with houseboat rentals? Gonna be 2 sets of adults and kids. Obviously want to do some fishing as well.

Clear Lake?
Shasta?
Don Pedro?
McClure?

Anyone have exp housboating AND fishing?

Only been to Don Pedro and the Delta around here. DP was cool. caught some fish. Around Thanksgiving is when I went. No one was there. Delta is a little unsafe in my opinion. Tides change, moorings come loose, you wake up in another zip code. Plenty of fish though. I've been told Shasta is good, but no personal experience. Usually after the end of august or so the rates go down.

bergie, if i could choose between all of those i'd pick shasta in a heartbeat.  but if you pick DP McClure or Melones you better expect me paddling up at 5am in the morning telling you to go fishing.

Hard to beat Shasta.. lots to do up there as well like check out the shasta caves and even a side trip to lassen.. im not sure if I was in a houseboat Id stray far from it tho..  

Berryessa is also nice, tho its been a few years and im not sure about the water situation there atm.    We used to rent a houseboat up there with a group of friends every year and it was a great time.   

dude, new Bullards bar is GREAT...

killer Koke fishing, cat fish at night...

the lake lay out is insane with all kinds of private coves.. you can beach you boat ANYWHERE and get out on land.. the water is nice and warm for swimming..., and this crystal green color... A river also comes into the lake at the back, you can cruise all the way up this arm, rock jumps and all.. GREAT SPOT, minimal crowds in comparison... Ive always got koke limits there...

http://www.bullardsbar.com/

Great memories of the HB trips we took when I was a kid in the delta! I'm still dying to do a HB trip, pretty much anywhere!  But seems expensive, haven't found anyone to split the cost yet.  Let us know what ya pick!

I have tons of houseboat trips under my belt. I post a Shasta trip here somewhere. About two years ago. First rule is make sure you can handle the people you are confined with on the boat. Before you take possession of the boat make sure you have all the propane they should supply and that all the gray water has been removed and that all the fresh water is there and that the boat is full of gas. Go top to bottom and make sure there is no damage anywere. Also check the prop. I can tell you of nightmare my wife and I have had. Also I can tell you we have had many wonderful trips as well. Once you give them any money you are not going to get it back. I have been to all the mother lode lake that have houseboating and they all are owned by the same corporation. Same as in the delta at least Hermon and Helen's. The last year we went to New Melonie's it was a nightmare and cost a small fortune for a week on there largest boat. Problems every night. I should write a movie script for Chevy Chase I would make a bundle. O.k. Shasta, in my opinion is a on the top of my list. Best scenery of all but it is a large lake it helps to have a power boat in case you need to get anything you run out of or forgot. To save money on gas for the house boat keep the rpm's about 1500 go slow cause they will suck up the gas and you have to replace the used gas thats why you make sure its full when you take it. Have them show you the gas level. Some times they dont fill it up all the way when you start out get my drift. I could go on and on. If you want more info PM me.

Good luck

Kevin

+1 what kevin said about considerations...my recommendations;
Shasta
Delta

different of course but both are great - on the Delta you need to consider tides as relates to height of your boat for bridge clearance and draft for access. There are really cool spots on the Delta you can only access and exit on high tides.....limits other boats there, which can be good.

I have heard from friends that when it is full Oroville is fun too. Good luck!

John

Dont forget Oroville ...good bass fishin ..

Shasta is awesome, set up some trolling gear on the back of the boat (at a variety of depths) and head up the McCloud arm, but be prepared to stop every few minutes to unhook a spotted bass or trout!

It is definitely worth
1. Renting a small fishing boat to go with the houseboat, so you can fish the little creeks and give your fellow houseboaters some options.
2. Shopping around for the best deal on a houseboat, some places are waaaaaay cheaper than others
3. As has been mentioned before, check everything before you leave, especially the prop. If it comes back with a ding they're gonna charge you for a new one (and it often comes back with a ding).

Man, I miss Shasta.

I have only done shasta. It was great!! Hot-tub on the roof,barbecue on the bow, water-slide on the fantail. Dual full-size fridges,complete galley. $1500 for the week but it was palatial!!

We had a trip planned last year to Lake Powell. Had to cancel because of my slow job, and a friends sick parents. Friends were kinda bummed, but understood. 1500 is cheap compared to what we were doing. It was like 4-5k depending on the boat, plus gas food etc. The ones with tubs and everything just described were like 7-9k. Was only 6 of us, but didn't want a small boat, so we were getting a 49 or 54 footer. 2 ski boats, 2 jet skis, several yaks. would have been a blast. now were looking at next year. Might try to get a couple more couples we can get along with for a week.