Sierra lakeside camp and launch

My wife and I are looking for a place within ~4-5 hrs of Santa Cruz where we can camp, kayak, and fish. We are looking at a weekend trip in August (19-21st) and would prefer a reservation-based campground because of the uncertainty with walk-ins. Ideal place is somewhere in Sierra (i.e., not scorching hot) where we can camp close enough to the water to launch our kayak without having to drive to a boat launch. I was searching the board and found that others recommend Stampede Reservoir and Lewiston Lake. Both are options are have available for the weekend we are interested in, but I'm guessing that the water level is probably quite low at both (hauling kayaks across the moon to get to the water). Wondering what others recommend? Anyone been up to the Sierra recently who can share some intel on a nice camp and launch?

Whiskeytown isn't to bad. A group of us camped at Oak Bottom a month ago. The campsite was right on the water. Left the Kayaks on the bank, no more than 30 feet away. The site # was SC14.
Kevin

Maybe a little bit further than you'd like but take a look at Jackson Meadows reservoir. I camped there a few weeks ago at the East Meadow campground and it was very full. Some sites will allow for launching from camp depending on your rig. This past trip I took the TI and Oasis and launched both from the ramp and left them on the beach for the duration of our trip. It was a family camping trip with a little fishing but we landed 2 nice rainbows and lost several more. Unless you enjoy a good off road tour, I would access through Truckee and avoid the road around Bowman Lake, it's pretty rough.

hi Mbwaterdog,
Leaving tomorrow for Stampede for the week.
Will post when I get back but it does look like the lake is pretty low.   We are camping at Logger campground but looks like a bit of a trek to the lake from our campsite..... probably will leave the Kayak and the nearest point for ease of use and lock a cable and cinderblock through the hull to keep the honest honest.   I will take off all of the expensive stuff rather than haul it out each day.   Kinda depends on the vibe and how far we actually are from the water though...will see.

Will report next week of conditions.
Troy