anyone kayak near the castle crag/dunsmuir area?

Hi all, I just got back into kayaking, and will be going on a camping trip to Castle Crag State Park. It is a few miles South of Lake Siskyou and the Sacramento River runs right near the camp. I was wondering if anyone has any info on kayaking in the area. Don't need anyone's secret spots, just some general info, good places to launch, water conditions, current, etc. I've tried searching the site but didn't find anything, and I have also tried using google Earth to see if I can find any good launch points, but I haven't found anything that looks really promising just yet. Any help would be really appreciated.

I think the river from Lake Siskiyou to well downstream of Dunsmuir is a classic California freestoner.  I’ve never seen a kayak in there.  It’s riffles, runs, and pools and river rocks and boulders.  I fished it wading and that’s the only way I ever saw anyone fishing it. 

Drive over to Cantera loop and hike over the. bidge and along the tracks to access the river. Or just hang out and wait for a giant train to completely surround you. The bridge was rebuilt after the train went over the river there and killed every living thing for 60 miles downstream. It’s kind of a cool area.  Sorry I can’t help much on the kayaking. 

PS Castle Lake is really beautiful and you can kayak and hike around there. No idea about fishing there.


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I fish Dunsmuir every year for the trout opener. I take my kayak up there with me and fish McCloud Reservoir b4 the opener. Lake is loaded with rainbows and browns. Beautiful lake to kayak on!!

I used to fish there every year before the spill, played ball during Railroad days.  I've seen people in dagar style yaks with helmets on but never anyone fishing.  We used to tube it, tons of fun but cold as hell.

Thanks for the replies. Sadly, I left for my trip before I saw them but while I was up there, I did find lake siskiyou and a few other spots. My 3 year old was with me on my trip so I didn't get to do any fishing but it was a good scouting trip. I'll keep the info in mind next time I'm up there.