Is there a free launch at lake Natoma?

I have launched by the dam before and they charged me 5 bucks or something.  Is there a place to launch for free at lake natoma?  I have been wanting to go fishing out there one day.
Travis

I know of three easy places to launch on Natomas, none are free.
The dam, Willow creek and Negro Bar. I go there often so I bought the state pass.

There is one place I have used, but it is a long walk. I'll have to get the road name for you. There is a bike trail parking access in an industrial area off Folsom blvd. If I remember, it is next to the large eucalyptus grove past the Harley dealer.

Also, at the dam there are two places to enter. One is the Natomas Flats state park. The next one is the CSUS aquatic park. I've parked at the CSUS lot and didn't pay, but I haven't launched there.

Travis I stayed a the Natomas Inn and I noticed lots of Public parking and there is access to a bike path that leads down to the lake. There are steps leading to lake but off to the side is a path that mountain bikers were using its not to steep I think you could kart your yak down.

Thanks for the info guys.  What about the fishing there?  I hear there are smallmouth and crappie in there.

I've seen some huge carp in the Willow Creek area and some nice small mouth up the canyon near the prison sign.  I also ran across a couple ladies skinny dipping up there. There are some dredger ponds on the north side of the lake, near the dam. You have to go under the bike trail via a tunnel. There must be some crappie and bass back there.

While diving the Negro Bar area I've only seen a few fish. Tons of crawdads! I did one dive in the Natomas Flats area and couldn't even see my partner.

Who's available for a crawdad boil?

Travis I have heard that the lake holds some monster trout, I used to fish the lake in Dec and Jan its probably a little to warm yet but you never know if you fish deep. Biggest I ever caught was 5 1/2 lb but that was on Dec. 5th or 6th.  Check out this article. http://www.fishsniffer.com/dbacher/122101natoma.html
Click on more articles by Dan Blanton he has another about the lake more general.              Catch a Big One  

Travis I have heard that the lake holds some monster trout, I used to fish the lake in Dec and Jan its probably a little to warm yet but you never know if you fish deep. Biggest I ever caught was 5 1/2 lb but that was on Dec. 5th or 6th.  Check out this article. http://www.fishsniffer.com/dbacher/122101natoma.html
Click on more articles by Dan Blanton he has another about the lake more general.              Catch a Big One  

That is awesome!  I will fish it this winter.  Sounds like they are shallow in the winter.  I can be to natoma in about 45 minutes.  That beats the hell out of the 3+hour drive to the ocean I have been doing regularly.  I wander if slow trolling large minnows(mendo style) here could be productive for those monster trout?    

ey fellas - how's the camping at Natoma? And how far of a drive from the Bay Area? I'd like to head over there as well and make a weekend of it - gimme a time and date and I'll be there with my apron  

I miss trout fishing  

There is a group camp area at Negro Bar. This is a state park on lake Natoma, but I'm not sure if the camp ground is open to the public.

It's a very nice lake used primarily by paddle boaters. Motor boats are restricted to low speed limits.  No jet skis.

I've read about some of the big fish. I've fished there many times over the years and have never caught a decent one. Maybe it's just me...


IMHO, there are better trout lakes in Amador county or a little higher up in the hills.

Thanks for that info Alfredo.

I REALLY prefer the Lakes that don't allow gas powered boats and jet skis....

Mooch lemme know when you are going...Ill camp with you and have a little trout derby....

biggest fish gets you mountain bike.....

I am thinking about taking some fat minners up to natoma in the next few weeks.  Maybee I will head over there this saturday if I can get my blazer back together tomarrow.  This lake sounds like it could hold some nice smallmouth too.  You guys should head up and we can fish it.  You guys have to check out that article, the size of those trout is unreal.

I want to say that the state record bow came from natomas. Maybe it was a former record, but something like that.

-Brian G

So, where is this lake located?

I want to say that the state record bow came from natomas. Maybe it was a former record, but something like that.

-Brian G

  Yea dude it is in that article^^.


  Lake Natoma is located just below Folsom lake in Folsom which is in the Sacramento metropolitian area.